A new way to understand expressive interaction, focusing on the dynamic, fast, pre-reflective processes underlying interactions with music. The expressive moment is that point in time when we grasp a situation and respond quickly, even before we are aware of it. In this book, Marc Leman argues that expression drives this kind of interaction, and he proposes a general framework for understanding expressive interactions. He focuses on the dynamic, fast, and pre-reflective processes underlying our interactions with music—whether we are playing an instrument, dancing, listening, or using new interactive technologies. Music offers a well-established domain for studying these fast and interactive processes, and Leman argues that understanding the power of expressive interaction through music may help us understand cognitive processing in other domains, including language, human action coordination, human-animal interaction, and human-machine interaction. Leman regards expressive interactions with music as energizing and empowering. He argues that music is based on patterns that intervene with a reinforcing loop in the human brain, strengthening learning, motivation, and reward. He argues further that the reinforcing effect is influenced by the interaction flow, by fast processes that handle expressive qualities on the fly. Leman sets out the framework in which expressive interaction is situated, describing, among other things, a pragmatic model of communication in which the fundamental components are enactment and dynamics. He looks in more detail at the cognitive-motivational architecture, discussing sensorimotor and motivational schemes. Finally, he discusses applications for the concepts behind expressive motivation in such fields as sports, entertainment, rehabilitation, multimedia art, and music education.

A new way to understand expressive interaction, focusing on the dynamic, fast, pre-reflective processes underlying interactions with music. The expressive moment is that point in time when we grasp a situation and respond quickly, even before we are aware of it. In this book, Marc Leman argues that expression drives this kind of interaction, and he proposes a general framework for understanding expressive interactions. He focuses on the dynamic, fast, and pre-reflective processes underlying our interactions with music—whether we are playing an instrument, dancing, listening, or using new interactive technologies. Music offers a well-established domain for studying these fast and interactive processes, and Leman argues that understanding the power of expressive interaction through music may help us understand cognitive processing in other domains, including language, human action coordination, human-animal interaction, and human-machine interaction. Leman regards expressive interactions with music as energizing and empowering. He argues that music is based on patterns that intervene with a reinforcing loop in the human brain, strengthening learning, motivation, and reward. He argues further that the reinforcing effect is influenced by the interaction flow, by fast processes that handle expressive qualities on the fly. Leman sets out the framework in which expressive interaction is situated, describing, among other things, a pragmatic model of communication in which the fundamental components are enactment and dynamics. He looks in more detail at the cognitive-motivational architecture, discussing sensorimotor and motivational schemes. Finally, he discusses applications for the concepts behind expressive motivation in such fields as sports, entertainment, rehabilitation, multimedia art, and music education.

This book explores the process of improvisation and outlines the ideal conditions for an inspirational creative state. Examining her own process as an artist and drawing on interviews with peers, the author considers how the forces of shaping (intellect-driven decisions) and letting-go (more intuitive moves) interact in improvisation. The book follows the journey of seven performing arts graduates and undergraduates, examining their experiences of improvisation and the interplay of shaping and letting-go. It reveals how the approach and methods of expressive arts can enrich an improviser's experience and spur the desire for discovery.

"When I used it, I felt it was a very valuable resource, linking work with the arts to the theoretical foundations of counseling."--Sally S. Atkins, EdD Professor Emerita Founding Director of Expressive Arts, Appalachian State "They [Students] like the activities since it helps them learn more about the counseling theory which was discussed in the Theories of Counseling class. It provides more application. Some activities are pretty detailed and class time does not allow for much practice. But, we discuss how this could be used in therapy sessions/groups... [The book] is short and very pointed in its information and use. We like it!"--Judy A. Schmidt, EdD, CRC, LPCA University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Expanded and revised to reflect a broader understanding of the complementary approach to therapeutic treatment, this is the only text to integrate expressive arts counseling techniques with major theories of counseling and psychology. Substantial changes to the second edition include new chapters that address Neuroscience and Counseling, Trauma-Informed Counseling, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Mindfulness and Counseling, and Family Counseling, along with a greater emphasis on cultural and diversity considerations throughout. The book is updated with over 30 new interventions including animal-assisted and videographic interventions, and new information about the neuroscientific foundations of expressive arts therapies. Updated references in each chapter, and a suite of Instructor’s Materials also add to value of the second edition. The text integrates expressive arts therapies with 12 commonly used treatment modalities. Each chapter reviews a particular theory and describes how expressive and creative techniques can support and be easily integrated within that orientation. Over 90 field-tested, step-by-step interventions—created by leading practitioners—offer students and clinicians techniques that can be put to use immediately. New to the Second Edition: New chapters address Neuroscience and Counseling, Trauma-Informed Counseling, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Mindfulness and Counseling, and Family Counseling and the Expressive Arts. Cultural and diversity considerations in each chapter. Updated with new references. Over 30 new interventions including videography. Instructor’s materials. Key Features: Integrates expressive arts counseling techniques with 12 major theories of counseling and psychology. Presents over 90 expressive art interventions in easy, step-by-step format. Includes art, writing, bibliotherapy, drama, music, movement, dance, puppetry, and sand play. Discusses appropriate populations, settings, and diagnoses for each intervention. Includes interventions that can be put to use immediately.

"The study of acting should not begin with an exploration of feeling, perception, imagination, memories, intention, personalization, self-identification... or even performance—but physical action." Michael Lugering's The Expressive Actor presents a foundational, preparatory training method, using movement to unlock the entire acting process. Its action-based perspective integrates voice, movement and basic acting training into a unified approach. A wealth of exercises and diagrams guide the reader through this internationally taught program, making it an ideal step-by-step course for both solo and classroom use. Through this course, voice and body training becomes more than a simple skill-building activity – it is the central prerequisite to any actor training. This new Routledge edition has been fully updated, to include: A revised prologue, further discussing the historical and philosophical grounding of The Lugering Method A new introduction, with particular focus on the integrative nature of the method and how the book should be used. New developments, clarifications, and 12 new exercises. 6 new illustrative diagrams.

From pioneering therapist Cathy A. Malchiodi, this book synthesizes the breadth of research on trauma and the brain and presents an innovative framework for treating trauma through the expressive arts. The volume describes powerful ways to tap into deeply felt bodily and sensory experiences as a foundation for safely exploring emotions, memories, and personal narratives. Rich clinical examples illustrate the use of movement, sound, play, art, and drama with children and adults. Malchiodi's approach not only enables survivors to express experiences that defy verbalization, but also helps them to transform and integrate the trauma, regain a sense of aliveness, and imagine a new future. Purchasers get access to a companion website where they can download and print reproducible tools from the book in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size, as well as full-color versions of 26 figures.

The use of the arts in psychotherapy is a burgeoning area of interest, particularly in the field of bereavement, where it is a staple intervention in hospice programs, children’s grief camps, specialized programs for trauma or combat exposure, work with bereaved parents, widowed elders or suicide survivors, and in many other contexts. But how should clinicians differentiate between the many different approaches and techniques, and what criteria should they use to decide which technique to use—and when? Grief and the Expressive Arts provides the answers using a crisp, coherent structure that creates a conceptual and relational scaffold for an artistically inclined grief therapy. Each of the book’s brief chapters is accessible and clearly focused, conveying concrete methods and anchoring them in brief case studies, across a range of approaches featuring music, creative writing, visual arts, dance and movement, theatre and performance and multi-modal practices. Any clinician—expressive arts therapist, grief counselor, or something in between—looking for a professionally oriented but scientifically informed book for guidance and inspiration need look no further than Grief and the Expressive Arts.