Health in Expression Vol. 4

What therapeutic function do art, music, theatre, dance, painting, and all the diverse expressive techniques have on the quality of life of our patients? And what impact do they have on the biopsychosocial health of groups and communities? The concept of health is much broader than the simple idea that being healthy means not being sick. Health should be understood in a holistic sense. In this case, unlocking the creative function and mobilising imagination can be a therapeutic resource and an important working tool for healthcare professionals. This book provides the foundations for working with expressive methodologies and presents national and international projects in health education, expressive therapy and psychotherapy in community and clinical settings, with hospitalised patients, the elderly, children and young people with chronic physical and/or mental conditions, with doctors and families. Furthermore, we invite healthcare professionals (as well as those from other fields) to reflect on their experiences and to see how expressive techniques can contribute to their interventions. We hope that readers will find in this book not only good ideas but, above all, great questions. Authors: Alexandra Nilha, Ana Luisa Baptista, Andrea Elisabet Rodrigues de Moura, Bárbara Ramos Dias, Cláudia Jerónimo, Filipa Almeida, Giancarlo de Aguiar, Laura de Figueiredo Bento, Lisa Bompastor, Raquel Rosa Fialho, Raquel Gomes, Sandra Gomes Miguel.