The field of creative arts therapies includes many modalities, such
as art, music, dance/movement, drama, poetry, expressive arts and
play. Each field has developed separately over the years, mainly in
the United States and Europe, with its own unique history, theory,
identity, and a high degree of professionalism.
The
main objective of this conference is to have professionals from different
creative arts therapies fields present his/her approach through lectures,
presentations, and workshops, so that we may discover similarities
and differences to deepen our understanding and relationship with
one another. By deepening our understanding of different modalities
and collaborating between approaches, we will be able to further strengthen
and expand the field of creative arts therapies as a whole.
In
the clinical setting, we are faced with clients who have a wide variety
of needs. Clients benefit when they have the option to choose an approach
that he/she feels comfortable with, as it facilitates self-expression
and deepens the therapy process. On the other hand, having the option
to try new approaches provides clients with the opportunity to discover
a new aspect of himself/herself.
By incorporating
theories and methods of different modalities other than what we are
familiar with, we are able to enrich and expand our own approaches
as well.
This
opportunity to interact with creative arts therapists from all over
the world will make possible for us to compare and learn many things,
such as how our history and culture have influenced our perspectives
and the development of the field, differences in social awareness
for the field, and the current training made available for becoming
a creative arts therapy professional in our respective countries.
Some
of the topics we hope to touch on during the conference are: reports
on international efforts being made in providing support to those
who are socially vulnerable due to war, poverty, discrimination, and
prejudice; the relationship between creativity and the healing mechanism
in arts; and also the relationship between spirituality and the healing
power individuals hold within.
I look
forward to meeting and welcome all those who have an interest in using
creative means as a tool for self-expression, self-healing, and self-discovery.
Professionals involved in mental healthcare, those involved in the
field of education, students, artists, and anyone from the general
public, who are in search of ways for self-development are welcome.
I hope that this will be an excellent opportunity for all those involved,
to experience first-hand the highly developed and specialized field
of creative arts therapies.
Sincerely,
Norio Seki, M.P.S.
Creative Arts Therapies Conference Chairman
