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The Philosophy |
Stephen K. Levine, Ph.D., D.S.Sc.
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The interdisciplinary nature of our programme can be seen in our emphasis on the creative process. Creativity is indivisible. Whatever the medium in which we work, the impulse toward spontaneous, improvised action is always present. The creative act knows no boundaries; it can express itself in any form.
Our emphasis on interdisciplinary work shows itself in the ability to move from one medium to another. By transferring feelings and images between media, we deepen and amplify them beyond their original form. We may also respond to someone's work in one medium with an expression in another, thus providing an artistic "mirroring" of the self.
Because we emphasize experiential learning, students are encouraged to explore the different dimensions of artistic action in community and in individual studio work. We especially encourage Intermodal work in our classes and workshops. At the same time, we recognize that no student can master all the various forms of artistic expression and that each of us will be, by temperament, habit and training, more comfortable in one or two media.
At ISIS, concepts and theories are valued as necessary perspectives through which different dimensions of the psyche can be seen and comprehended. Faculty members and consultants in the programme are well trained in various theoretical frameworks. Nevertheless, we believe that theory needs to be grounded in experience.
We encourage students to live a theory through direct experience in order to find the experiential equivalent of their theoretical knowledge. This is why we stress the necessity of students undergoing their own therapy as well as continuing to do studio work in a particular artistic medium.
We also stress an adult-education model where students are recognized as having the capacity to understand and shape their own learning process. Each student is responsible for initiating and carrying out projects on their practicum site as well as for designing group exercises in class and engaging in practice counselling.
Students are expected to be self-directed in their learning and to work through the blocks that inhibit their effectiveness. Faculty acts as consultants and resource persons in this process.
The interdisciplinary, experiential, adult-educational model of ISIS training is designed to help students develop their own creative potential. Expressive Arts Therapy is not a collection of theories and techniques; it is an artistic approach to the therapeutic process. Only a student who has explored their own psychological depths through the arts can expect to be able to help others in their search. | |
