Saturday, July 18, 2026

Can Expressive Arts Therapy Help Anxiety? | East-West Center for Counselling and Training

Conversations on Healing

with Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

"A space to explore creativity, relationships, emotional wellbeing and the courage to become more fully ourselves."

Conversation #4

Can Expressive Arts Therapy Help Anxiety?

Finding calm through creativity, connection and self-expression.

Does Anxiety Feel Like It Never Switches Off?

Anxiety can affect our thoughts, body and relationships. Racing thoughts, muscle tension, poor sleep and constant worry are common experiences. Although anxiety feels overwhelming, it is an experience—not your identity—and with support it can change.

Why Talking Is Sometimes Not Enough

Anxiety is experienced not only in our thoughts but also in our bodies. Expressive Arts Therapy invites the whole person into the healing process through creativity, movement, imagination, storytelling, music and reflection.

How Expressive Arts Therapy Can Help

Creative expression provides a safe way to explore emotions that may be difficult to explain. Painting, movement, music, role-play, poetry and storytelling become pathways to understanding, emotional regulation and hope.

Five Ways Creativity Supports Healing

• Calms the nervous system.
• Gives emotions a safe form of expression.
• Creates distance from overwhelming feelings.
• Increases self-awareness.
• Restores hope and new possibilities.

Research and Practice

Research in creative arts therapies suggests benefits for emotional regulation, stress reduction and psychological wellbeing. Therapy is most effective when guided by a qualified professional and integrated into an individual's overall care.

From the Practice of Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

A participant once described her anxiety as 'a room full of buzzing bees.' During a creative exercise she added a small patch of bright yellow to the picture. When asked about it, she replied, 'That's the window. I'd forgotten there was one.' The anxiety had not disappeared, but hope had become visible. Creativity often helps us discover possibilities that anxiety hides.

A Question to Carry With You

If your anxiety could be expressed through a colour, a piece of music or a story, what would it look or sound like? What might it be asking you to notice?

10 Benefits of an Expressive Arts Therapy Session | East-West Center for Counselling and Training

Conversations on Healing

with Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

"A space to explore creativity, relationships, emotional wellbeing and the courage to become more fully ourselves."

Conversation #3

What Are 10 Benefits of an Expressive Arts Therapy Session?

Discovering healing through creativity, imagination and human connection.

Have You Ever Wondered Why Creativity Can Feel So Healing?

Many people leave their first expressive arts therapy session saying they feel lighter, calmer or more hopeful. The change does not come from creating perfect artwork. It comes from giving thoughts, feelings and experiences a safe place to be expressed.

1. Helps express emotions that are difficult to put into words.

Every benefit emerges through a carefully facilitated therapeutic process. The emphasis is not on artistic ability but on using creative expression to discover meaning, increase emotional awareness and explore new possibilities for living.

2. Reduces stress and anxiety by slowing the mind and engaging the senses.

3. Improves self-awareness through creative reflection.

4. Builds confidence by encouraging curiosity instead of perfection.

5. Supports healing from grief, trauma and life transitions at a gentle pace.

6. Strengthens relationships through empathy, communication and shared experience.

7. Reconnects people with their natural creativity and imagination.

8. Develops resilience by discovering new ways of responding to challenges.

9. Creates a sense of belonging, especially in therapeutic groups.

10. Encourages lifelong personal growth, spontaneity and emotional wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need artistic talent?
No. The process is about expression rather than artistic skill.

Who can benefit?
Adults, young people, professionals, couples and groups seeking healing or personal growth.

Can it help anxiety and stress?
Many people report feeling calmer, more connected and better able to cope when expressive arts are integrated into therapy.

From the Practice of Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

One participant apologised before beginning an exercise because she believed she 'wasn't creative'. By the end of the session she realised that the colours, movement and story she had chosen reflected emotions she had never been able to describe. That experience reminded both of us that creativity is not a talent reserved for a few—it is a human capacity that helps us reconnect with ourselves.

A Question to Carry With You

Which of these ten benefits do you feel you need most in your life today? Sometimes answering that single question becomes the first step towards healing.

What Happens in an Expressive Arts Therapy Session? A Beginner's Guide | East-West Center

Conversations on Healing

with Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

"A space to explore creativity, relationships, emotional wellbeing and the courage to become more fully ourselves."

Conversation #2

What Happens in an Expressive Arts Therapy Session?

Stepping into a safe space for creativity, reflection and healing.

What Can You Expect?

Walking into your first Expressive Arts Therapy session can feel exciting, curious or even a little uncertain. Many people worry that they will be asked to paint, sing or perform. The good news is that there is no pressure to be artistic. You are invited simply to come as you are.

A Warm Welcome

Every session begins by creating a safe and respectful space. Your therapist may invite you to settle into the room, notice how you are feeling and become present. Confidentiality, respect and emotional safety are important foundations of the work.

Beginning the Conversation

Some sessions begin with talking. You may share something that has happened recently, describe a feeling, or simply say, 'I don't know where to begin.' There is no expectation that you must have all the answers.

Exploring Through Creativity

Depending on the session, you may be invited to draw, work with colour or clay, write a poem, move to music, tell a story, use role-play, or explore an image or symbol. These creative activities are never about producing perfect art. They are gentle invitations to discover what is alive within you.

Reflecting Together

After the creative experience, you and your therapist reflect together. Rather than interpreting your work for you, the therapist asks thoughtful questions that help you discover your own meanings and insights.

Every Session Is Different

No two sessions are the same because no two people are the same. Some sessions feel joyful and playful, others quiet and reflective. The pace is guided by your needs and your readiness.

From the Practice of Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

A participant once told me after her first session, 'I thought I was coming to learn painting. Instead, I discovered something about myself.' That is the essence of Expressive Arts Therapy. Creativity becomes a bridge—not to artistic achievement—but to self-understanding, courage and hope.

A Question to Carry With You

If you could express one feeling today without using words, what colour, movement, image or story might represent it? Sometimes curiosity is the first step towards healing.

What Is Expressive Arts Therapy?

Conversations on Healing

with Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

"A space to explore creativity, relationships, emotional wellbeing
and the courage to become more fully ourselves."

Conversation #1

What Is Expressive Arts Therapy?

Discovering healing through creativity, imagination and human connection.

Have You Ever Found Yourself Searching for Words That Just Wouldn't Come?

There are moments in life when words seem too small. Grief, anxiety, loneliness, or confusion can be difficult to describe. While talking is important, some of our deepest feelings are carried in images, movement, music, memories and stories before they ever become words. Expressive Arts Therapy offers another doorway into healing by inviting creativity into the therapeutic process.

What Is Expressive Arts Therapy?

Expressive Arts Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative expression to help people explore emotions, relationships and life experiences. It may include drawing, painting, drama, storytelling, music, movement, poetry, clay, imagination and other creative processes. You do not need artistic talent. The focus is not on making beautiful art—it is on discovering yourself.

Why Creativity Helps Us Heal

Creativity is one of the first languages we learn as children. Before we can explain our feelings, we draw them, sing them, act them out and imagine new worlds. Expressive Arts Therapy reconnects us with this natural human capacity and gently helps us discover emotions, strengths and possibilities that may have been hidden.

More Than Making Art

The therapist is not judging the artwork. Instead, together you become curious about what emerged, what surprised you and what new understanding became possible. The creative process becomes a conversation with yourself.

Who Can Benefit?

Expressive Arts Therapy can support people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship challenges, burnout, life transitions or simply a desire for personal growth. It is equally valuable for those wishing to reconnect with creativity and live with greater authenticity.

From the Practice of Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

Many years ago, a participant told me, 'I'm not interested in art.' During a simple exercise with colour, he paused and quietly said, 'I didn't realise how tired I am.' That moment became the beginning of an honest conversation about years of carrying responsibilities without caring for himself. Experiences like these remind me that creativity is not about talent it is about making space for truth.

A Question to Carry With You

When was the last time you allowed yourself to create something not to impress anyone, but simply to express what was alive within you? Sometimes the question itself is the beginning of the journey.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychodrama In India

The Growth of Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychodrama in India

In modern mental health, it is increasingly common to see art, music, dance, and drama integrated into therapy and learning spaces. Today, Expressive Arts Therapy and Psychodrama are being applied across a vast range of settings—including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, corporate environments, and private practices—to foster emotional healing and personal growth.

Both modalities honor the wisdom of the body and the power of the imagination. By awakening spontaneity and creativity, these methods help individuals rediscover their wholeness. Studying these fields is more than just learning a method; it is a transformative journey for both the practitioner and the client.

Professional Training at East West Center for Counselling

At the East West Center for Counselling, we have spent 15 years providing structured Expressive Arts Therapy programmes in India. We support mental health professionals in both clinical and non-clinical settings, offering tools that go beyond traditional talk therapy.

Our center was founded by Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam, a renowned counselor, trainer, and supervisor with over 30 years of experience. Her vision has shaped our curriculum into one of the most respected training grounds for creative clinicians in the region.

Action-Based Learning: The Indian Institute of Psychodrama

Complementing this work is the Indian Institute of Psychodrama (IIP). As a pioneer in the field, IIP focuses on Psychodrama training—an action-based method where stories, roles, and enactments become powerful tools for insight and change.

Through our collaboration, we offer:

Practical & Accessible Learning: Dynamic workshops and diploma programmes.
Global Perspectives: Occasional interactions with international psychodrama trainers to keep our learning evolving.
Structured Certification: Ideal for counselors, educators, social workers, and healthcare practitioners.

The Future of Creative Arts Therapy in India

The field of Creative Arts Therapy is growing steadily across the country. More professionals are exploring how creative methods can enhance their work, from small-scale community workshops to full the full Diploma in Expressive Arts Therapy programmes.

At the East West Center for Counselling and the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, we remain committed to making creative transformation accessible and meaningful. Each workshop and collaboration is a step forward in bringing fresh, action-oriented approaches to mental health and community practice in India.

Dr. Herb Propper Memorial Psychodrama Training Workshops by Dr Magdalene Jeyarathnam

Join the Dr. Herb Propper Memorial Workshops Facilitated by Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam

The Dr. Herb Propper Memorial Workshops are a premier series of experiential online workshops rooted in the core methods of classical psychodrama. Facilitated by Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam, a leading expert in the field, this series invites participants to engage deeply with foundational psychodrama training tools that support self-awareness, relational understanding, and creative movement toward change.Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to action methods in therapy, each workshop is designed to awaken curiosity and offer deep experiential learning rather than theory alone.

Why Join This Psychodrama Training Series?

These workshops are offered in remembrance of Dr. Herb Propper, a senior psychodramatist and mentor whose contribution to psychodrama training in India was foundational. As the first Primary Trainer at the Indian Institute of Psychodrama, Dr. Herb pioneered consistent, structured psychodrama education in the country.Today, his legacy continues through the work of Dr. Magdalene Jeyarathnam. These memorial sessions create a vital space for psychodrama trainees in India and practitioners across the helping professions to integrate relational wisdom and professional growth.

Workshop Series & Descriptions

Mode: Online (Zoom) | Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (IST)

Workshop 1: Sociometry & Group Dynamics – Jan 14, 2026

Sociometry brings to light the invisible relational patterns in every group. This session explores how connections are formed and how relationships influence our sense of self. It is an essential workshop for those interested in group dynamics and relational presence.

Workshop 2: Role Inventory Toolkit – Feb 6, 2026

This workshop invites participants to examine the roles they occupy in personal and professional contexts. Utilizing Dr. Herb’s Role Inventory Toolkit, we explore spontaneity and choice, opening space for professional growth and renewed vitality.

Workshop 3: Social Atom & Relational Mapping – Feb 13, 2026

The Social Atom is a powerful tool for mapping meaningful connections, emotional distances, and conflicts. Participants gain emotional insight into how relationships shape their current patterns, offering a path for the gentle reorganization of their relational universe.

Workshop 4: Future Projection & Action Methods – Feb 20, 2026

Future Projection allows participants to explore possible futures through action methods. By stepping into imagined roles, participants encounter the choices that influence their present. This workshop supports clarity and readiness for change, offering a chance to rehearse new ways of being.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

When Anxiety grips the Body

When Anxiety grips the Body Anxiety is a heavy burden which can be felt in the body — tight shoulders, restless legs, shallow breaths, profuse sweating; in the way we move, in the silence we hold, in the gestures we repeat without realising. Our experiences are stored not just in memory but in muscle, posture, and energy. If anxiety is in your body, will working only with our thoughts be enough? Cognitive therapies offers powerful tools to notice and challenge unhelpful thinking. For many, it brings clarity and structure, and that can feel like safety. But thoughts are just one layer of anxiety Rationale alone can’t always touch what the body remembers. This is where Expressive arts therapy and psychodrama opens a new door. Through role play, embodied storytelling, and other action methods, it gives space for anxiety to be expressed and transformed. Instead of pushing it down or trying to control it, we can explore it, give it form, and let it move. Because healing isn’t just about thinking differently. It’s about experiencing yourself differently.