An Expressive Arts Approach to Healing Loss and Grief

A paradoxical, but unsurprising, display of how creative vitality springs forth from the most difficult conditions and inspires an embrace of life. Irene Renzenbrink presents compelling evidence of how art heals, gathered from throughout the world in an elegantly written and designed text that will persist as a hopeful guide. – Shaun McNiff, author of ‘Art as Medicine’, ‘Art Heals’, ‘Imagination in Action’, and many other booksIn this remarkable ‘duet’ for the fields of grief and the expressive arts, with unfailing pertinence and heartfelt authenticity, Renzenbrink eloquently illustrates the healing potential of the creative imagination across the loss spectrum. Against a thorough and comprehensive backdrop of traditional and current grief theories, the author courageously shares the intimate details of her personal struggles with trauma in a most readable style. – Sandra L. Bertman, PhD, FT, LCSW, Distinguished Professor Thanatology & Arts (Ret’d), National Center for Death EducationIn this beautiful and deeply moving work Renzenbrink interweaves extensive professional knowledge and experience with personal story to show us that beyond suffering, hope and healing are possible, that we have within us an unshakable resilience that can be touched and nurtured by creative work. This is the most important book I have read for anyone working with grief and loss. – Sally Atkins, Ed.D. REAT, REACE, Licensed Psychologist, Professor of Expressive Arts, The European Graduate School, Professor Emerita, Appalachian State University

Irene Renzenbrink is a qualified expressive arts therapist. She has worked as a social worker, with extensive experience in palliative care and bereavement support. In the last ten years, she has refocused on expressive arts therapy, completing a PhD in the topic.