Episode
519: Expressive Arts Therapy + Trauma | Dr. Cathy Malchiodi
- Podcast
- Therapy Chat
- Published
- Mar 17, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3226
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://therapychatpodcast.com
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Summary
This week I'm sharing my recent interview with Dr. Cathy Malchiodi, a leader in the trauma, expressive arts and art therapy fields. In our conversation Cathy explores the transformative power of expressive arts therapy in healing from traumatic experiences.She discusses the evolution of arts-based approaches, the importance of movement and sensory processing, and the distinctions between art therapy and expressive arts therapy. Cathy Malchiodi emphasizes the need for therapists to create safe environments and engage in expressive practices themselves. She discusses the Circle of Capacity, a concept she created in response to the Window of Tolerance concept from Dr. Daniel Siegel's work. The discussion also touches on the role of mindfulness and the significance of small moments of safety in therapeutic settings. An internationally known psychotherapist and expressive arts therapist, Dr. Cathy Malchiodi has helped shape the field of traumatic stress through her decades of work with children, adults, families, and communities. Cathy is the author of numerous publications including several bestselling books that have become standards in the fields of expressive arts therapy, art therapy, trauma recovery, and creative approaches to clinical practice. She is the founder and executive director of the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, a source of education and professional development for over 30,000 psychotherapists, counselors, creative arts therapists, somatic educators, and coaches. Cathy has held seven academic appointments and is the recipient of many awards including Kennedy Center Honors, research grants, and several university fellowships. Dr. Malchiodi promotes a capacity-focused, neurodiversity-affirming approach to traumatic stress g…