Arts and Health

Psychedelics

The Impact of MDMA on PTSD and Self-Experience

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on January 17, 2024

In a recent study, the inclusion of MDMA within a structured psychotherapy protocol had a positive effect on self-experience, self-compassion, and measures of emotion regulation.

In a recent study, the inclusion of MDMA within a structured psychotherapy protocol had a positive effect on self-experience, self-compassion, and measures of emotion regulation.

Neurodiversity

Expressive Arts Are Neurodiversity-Affirming

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on December 14, 2023

Neurodiversity-affirming practices are not always found in traditional talk therapy. Expressive arts therapy is an alternative when words are not available.

Neurodiversity-affirming practices are not always found in traditional talk therapy. Expressive arts therapy is an alternative when words are not available.

Stress

Just Sigh—It’s a Restorative Outbreath

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on February 13, 2023

By consciously sighing, we can apply the power of our own outbreath to access how we feel in the moment or to restore body and mind, simply and mindfully.

By consciously sighing, we can apply the power of our own outbreath to access how we feel in the moment or to restore body and mind, simply and mindfully.

Therapy

Restorative Embodiment and the Art of Body Mapping

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on January 16, 2023

Restoration of the self can be found in the power of sharing the body’s lived experiences through self-expression. Body mapping is a structured way to do this.

Restoration of the self can be found in the power of sharing the body’s lived experiences through self-expression. Body mapping is a structured way to do this.

Trauma

The Body Holds the Healing

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on December 29, 2022

Embodied practices help us establish a healthy, restorative relationship with our bodies and identify "the issues in our tissues."

Embodied practices help us establish a healthy, restorative relationship with our bodies and identify "the issues in our tissues."

Play

Play: The Experience of the Unscripted Moment

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on October 24, 2022

For individuals whose lives are impacted by trauma, the human right to play does not necessarily feel natural, available, or possible. So just how do we rekindle their playful spirit?

For individuals whose lives are impacted by trauma, the human right to play does not necessarily feel natural, available, or possible. So just how do we rekindle their playful spirit?

Trauma

Can Imagination Help Heal Trauma?

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on September 16, 2022

Using the imagination is one way to replace stressful memories and body sensations with new and hopefully, healing narratives. But can everyone be imaginative?

Using the imagination is one way to replace stressful memories and body sensations with new and hopefully, healing narratives. But can everyone be imaginative?

Self-Control

4 Functions of Expressive Arts Therapy

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on July 17, 2022

One way to unpack how expressive arts therapy works is through its four main functions. These are self-regulation, co-regulation, exploration, and restoration.

One way to unpack how expressive arts therapy works is through its four main functions. These are self-regulation, co-regulation, exploration, and restoration.

Trauma

Traumatic Stress and the Circle of Capacity

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on September 15, 2021

Repair of psychological trauma is not just about learning to cope with distress.

Repair of psychological trauma is not just about learning to cope with distress.

Trauma

What We Learned from Children’s Drawings of 9/11

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on September 11, 2021

Twenty years later, this psychologist continues to learn from children's drawings and narratives about mass disaster.

Twenty years later, this psychologist continues to learn from children's drawings and narratives about mass disaster.

Binaural Beats

Please Don’t Take My Collective Effervescence Away

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on August 1, 2021

There is a type of interpersonal synchrony that connects individuals in powerful and far-reaching ways—it’s called collective effervescence.

There is a type of interpersonal synchrony that connects individuals in powerful and far-reaching ways—it’s called collective effervescence.

Trauma

Understanding Fight, Flight, Freeze, and the Feign Response

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on June 13, 2021

“To fawn” continues to be normalized as a valid trauma response in literature and social media. It's about time we revisit this gender-biased descriptor.

“To fawn” continues to be normalized as a valid trauma response in literature and social media. It's about time we revisit this gender-biased descriptor.

Relationships

"You're Virtual to Me"

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on April 14, 2021

We are all going to have to work at bringing ourselves back into relationships and resonance with each other.

We are all going to have to work at bringing ourselves back into relationships and resonance with each other.

Trauma

Working Bilaterally via Expressive Arts to Resolve Trauma

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on January 31, 2021

Stressed? Try using two sides of the body to draw, move, and express.

Stressed? Try using two sides of the body to draw, move, and express.

Health

Expressive Arts Therapy: The Original Psychotherapy

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on December 11, 2020

Just when exactly are the ruling voices of psychotherapy planning to recognize expressive arts therapy as part of its lineage?

Just when exactly are the ruling voices of psychotherapy planning to recognize expressive arts therapy as part of its lineage?

Trauma

The 4 Functions of Rhythm in Expressive Arts Therapy

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on November 30, 2020

When trauma has dulled the ability to experience joy, playfulness, and pleasure, rhythm can be a way to reintroduce a sense of well-being and aliveness to body and mind.

When trauma has dulled the ability to experience joy, playfulness, and pleasure, rhythm can be a way to reintroduce a sense of well-being and aliveness to body and mind.

Trauma

Sensorimotor Expressive Art Therapy and Trauma

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on October 31, 2020

Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy is a form of restoration for individuals who struggle with the body’s responses to traumatic stress.

Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy is a form of restoration for individuals who struggle with the body’s responses to traumatic stress.

Trauma

The MSSS Model of Expressive Arts as Healing Practices

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on September 30, 2020

Throughout human history, there are consistently four healing practices when it comes to trauma and loss—movement, sound, storytelling, and silence.

Throughout human history, there are consistently four healing practices when it comes to trauma and loss—movement, sound, storytelling, and silence.

Proxemics

Evolution of the Social Brain During Physical Distancing

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on August 31, 2020

We are adapting and evolving into new rules of social engagement and proxemics. That next Zoom encounter could be rewiring your social brain.

We are adapting and evolving into new rules of social engagement and proxemics. That next Zoom encounter could be rewiring your social brain.

Memory

Images Tell the Stories of Atrocity and Humanity

Cathy Malchiodi PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT on August 6, 2020

Japan marks the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing today. Images recall the horrors of survivors, 75 years later.

Japan marks the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing today. Images recall the horrors of survivors, 75 years later.