Glossary: Arts & Health
This glossary is an ongoing and evolving document where I will keep a running list of the terminology I utilize within my writing. The brief explanations are based off my own personal understanding and the sources cited. This is not an official dictionary, by any means, but please do let me know if you see a term that you believe I am misusing. If this is the case, please feel free to reach out to me on my website. Otherwise, I hope you find this beneficial as we discuss fields surrounding arts and health. If you would like to read the blogs affiliated with this glossary, you can find them all on my profile.
Arts in Community Health
This is one of the domains of Arts in Health that “…refers to using the arts within community health or public health settings” (National Organization for Arts in Health, 2017, p. 9).
Arts in Health
This is the umbrella term that incorporates both Arts in Healthcare and Arts in Community Health. “A broad and growing academic discipline and field of practice dedicated to using the power of the arts to enhance human health and well-being in diverse institutional and community contexts” (National Organization for Arts in Health, 2017, p. 9). The National Organization for Arts in Health (2017) states that they utilize the World Health Organization’s definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, 2019).
Arts in Healthcare
This is one of the domains of Arts in Health that “…pertains to using the arts within clinical setting. Frequently used synonymously with the term Arts in Medicine” (National Organization for Arts in Health, 2017, p. 9).
Arts in Medicine
This is another term that has been used to describe Arts in Healthcare. See Arts in Healthcare for the definition.
Arts in Public Health
This is another term that has been used to describe Arts in Community Health. See Arts in Community Health for the definition.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy is considered one of the Creative Arts Therapies by the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association. “Art Therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship” (American Art Therapy Association, 2017).
Creative Arts Therapies
According to the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association (n.d.), the Creative Arts Therapies includes:
Art therapy, Dance/Movement therapy, Drama therapy, Music therapy, Poetry therapy, and Psychodrama. Creative Arts Therapists are human service professionals who use arts modalities and creative processes for the purpose of ameliorating disability and illness and optimizing health and wellness. Treatment outcomes include, for example, improving communication and expression, and increasing physical, emotional, cognitive and/or social functioning. There are more than 15,000 Creative Arts Therapists practicing in the United States and around the world. Creative Arts Therapy organizations have been active in this country for over 50 years.
Dance/Movement Therapy
Dance/Movement Therapy is considered one of the Creative Arts Therapies by the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association (n.d.). Please visit their website for more information on this field and discipline.
Drama Therapy
Drama Therapy is considered one of the Creative Arts Therapies by the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association (n.d.). Please visit their website for more information on this field and discipline.
Expressive Arts Therapy
The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (2017) states, “The expressive arts combine the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other creative processes to foster deep personal growth and community development.” The association has two registrations for this profession: Registered Expressive Arts Therapists and Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educators. Registered Expressive Arts Therapists (REAT) is “designed for those using the expressive arts in psychotherapy,” whereas the Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educators (REACE) “includes expressive arts consultants and educators using the expressive arts in a broad range of approaches in education, organizational development, health fields and more” (International Expressive Arts Therapy Association, 2017).
Music Therapy
Music Therapy is considered one of the Creative Arts Therapies by the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association (n.d.). Please visit their website for more information on this field and discipline.
Poetry Therapy
Poetry Therapy is considered one of the Creative Arts Therapies by the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association (n.d.). Please visit their website for more information on this field and discipline.
Psychodrama Therapy
Psychodrama Therapy is considered one of the Creative Arts Therapies by the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association (n.d.). Please visit their website for more information on this field and discipline.
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References
American Art Therapy Association. (2017). Definition of Art Therapy. Retrieved from https://arttherapy.org/about/
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.ieata.org
National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Association. (n.d.) About NCCTA. Retrieved from http://www.nccata.org/aboutnccata
National Organization for Arts in Health. (2017). White Paper: Arts, Health, and Well-being in America.
World Health Organization. (2019). Who we are: Constitution. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/constitution
