Teen Drug Treatment Program Turns to Expressive Arts

ECHO MALIBU, a teen drug and alcohol treatment center making news of late, has continued to distinguish itself as a leader in the adolescent treatment community. They have announced the formation of a comprehensive Expressive Arts Therapy component for the youth ages 12-17 receiving services at their facility.

MALIBU,CA (PRWEB) August 12, 2005 -- ECHO MALIBU, a new drug treatment program for teens, is distinguishing itself with the implementation of a comprehensive Expressive Arts Therapies treatment option. This approach is designed to complement its more traditional treatment offerings such as individual, group and family process groups.

Teens struggling with drug, alcohol or other addictions, emotional difficulties or behavior problems will have the opportunity to participate in a full continuum of expressive arts therapies such as; Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy and Poetry Therapy.

According to ECHO MALIBU co-founder, Dr. Jeffrey Nalin, a clinical psychologist, the purpose of Expressive Arts Therapies is to Provide youth with alternative methods of expression that will reaffirm their emotional experiences, and thought processes. Through art, music, dance, drama and writing therapies, youth can utilize creative ways to communicate difficult thoughts and feelings that they might not otherwise be able to articulate." He goes on to state that As a result of these interventions, youth begin to re-experience emotional materials in a more present and tangible way that allows for corrective experiences within the creative work itself."

Cole Rucker, CEO and co-founder adds, It is very important to note that all of these modalities are implemented under the direction of licensed or certified therapists. Art Therapy is not Arts and Crafts. While the latter has an intrinsic value, the former has an express, therapeutic purpose, which is to evoke and process material gleaned from creative expression."

While the popularity of Expressive Arts Therapies is growing, they are still largely unavailable in many treatment programs due to budgetary constraints, the limited availability of qualified professionals or failure on the part of service providers to recognize their value. According to Dr. Nalin Programs who do incorporate expressive arts therapies are generally limited to one or two modalities. The use of a full continuum of these services is unique." He goes on to state While each of these modalities share many therapeutic goals, the approach and results can be as profoundly different as those who are participating. A participant who may not respond to art therapy may thrive in music or dance therapy."

Rucker adds, Another aspect that is distinctive to this approach is that the disciplines have the opportunity to work in collaboration with each other. The Art Therapist and the Poetry therapist might collaborate on a single therapeutic group or all of the disciplines might share a single treatment theme for all of our clients or for an individual over a specified period of time."

Dr. Nalin concludes, The most important thing to remember is that there is no single path to recovery. Good treatment must involve a variety of therapeutically sound approaches, so that each person can utilize what best serves their healing process."

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