Article
Making the Intangible Tangible: Using Expressive Art during Termination to Co-Construct Meaning
Journal of Creativity in Mental Health
(2015)
Abstract
In this article, a creative termination activity grounded in relational-cultural theory is presented. In addition to providing a means for summarizing the counseling experience, this activity promotes relational development in the midst of client termination. Following implementation of the activity, the client and counselor are provided tangible, co-constructed gifts that are symbolic of the therapeutic relationship and relational growth. The authors provide a rationale for how this intervention promotes self-awareness, outline directions for implementation, and provide a case illustration to demonstrate how counselors can help promote relational closure and solidify clients’ therapeutic gains.
Keywords
- termination,
- creativity in counseling,
- expressive arts,
- relational-cultural theory
Disciplines
Publication Date
March 19, 2015
DOI
10.1080/15401383.2014.938185
Citation Information
Jessica A. Headley, Melanie Kautzman-East, Cassandra G. Pusateri and Victoria E. Kress. "Making the Intangible Tangible: Using Expressive Art during Termination to Co-Construct Meaning" Journal of Creativity in Mental Health Vol. 10 Iss. 1 (2015) p. 89 - 99 ISSN: 1540-1383 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/cassandra-pusateri/28/