Art therapy (the first form of creative arts therapy where painting/drawing are the main modalities of art-making) has been around in some form since the dawn of psychoanalysis, and arguably even further as a form of communication and story-telling – i..e. cave paintings. However, it is seen as an alternative to talk therapy in Western culture, as talking has been the dominant form of expression. Art therapy now is one of the recommended treatments in Britain for PTSD and childhood trauma and is growing in recognition as an effective and powerful evidence-based, trauma informed practice worldwide. Creative arts therapy is an expansion of this therapy, encompassing other forms of therapies including, dramatherapy, dance therapy, movement therapy, phototherapy and music therapy under the umbrella term.

Healing one’s wounds can result from a number of factors, including lifestyle changes, community support, and self-work through things like creative arts therapy. Whilst therapy itself can offer no guarantees, I do notice clients leaving the sessions lighter with more clarity, focus and confidence, and with practical steps in place to improve their wellbeing/situation. From my own personal experience of doing creative arts therapy during my training, it has become a pillar to my wellbeing, giving me a voice that previously wasn’t strong enough with just verbal expression.

Creative Arts Therapy uses psychotherapeutic and counselling methods to ground the process. It is an experiential modality, meaning that it is something you really need to do before you know if it works for you or not. You will be guided through the whole process in your sessions for as long as you need this holding, but even so, these are your sessions, and we will work together on whatever works best for you. If the art making doesn’t appeal or if it is too overwhelming, we can just talk instead: there is no pressure to create.

Making the art is all about the process and less focused on the end product. What this means is that it’s more focused on the journey making art (and the meaning that this reveals for the you through this journey), rather than being focused on creating a beautiful, perfect and technically accurate/skilled art piece.

I find people ask me this question a lot when enquiring into creative arts therapy, as it’s often a barrier stopping them getting started. Let me reassure you: no artistic skill is needed for this method to work. In fact, it is easier if there is no preconceived idea of what the art should look like as it allows the subconscious mind to express without barriers one redirects from the conscious mind. It’s all about trusting the process. Each mark you make will lead you to the next mark – it’s not something you can plan in your mind beforehand. And if one art modality isn’t flowing, we can try something else. I’ve found that sculpture using natural materials to build an art piece is less intimidating than the blank page, and your hands then lead the whole process.

Creative Arts Therapy is a multi-modal practice, offering painting, photography, clay, pastels, music, writing, movement, drama, dance, and in fact anything that one can consider as a creative act. There are no limitations to what we can use together if it is what you are drawn to. We work to your needs, meaning that whatever art method is calling to you is what we will try. I may suggest options, but how you prefer to express yourself is up to you.

This therapy especially supports with non-verbal children and adults (i.e. on the autism spectrum) and those who find talking through problems challenging. It can also do healing without saying a single word. Just the act of creation is therapeutic in itself.

If you’ve exhausted your pros and cons list, try art making to see how you feel (i.e. using your intuition) about each choice subconsciously rather than relying on what you think you ‘should’ do and what your brain tells you that you can /can’t do. When your logical brain (left side) can’t understand why you are stuck, the art can give new insights by tapping into your emotional/creative brain (the right side). This helps to reconnect your left and right hemispheres, allowing you to see your decision more clearly, and to find the path to harmony. Some may feel that this process also allows for your intuitive side to be heard, showing a deeper wisdom away from the brain’s perceived limitations based on past stories.

Even just the process of getting feelings, emotions and problems out on the page can help you to see more clearly, to be less overwhelmed by the issue and to start seeing a way out. In other words, creative arts therapy creates new perspectives of your challenges, shedding new light on old stories, and helping to shift feelings of being stuck or trapped within yourself.

Often if we feel anxious, depressed, or have suicidal thoughts, these feelings can come from a place that our conscious brain doesn’t understand. Creative arts therapy can be especially effective in this situation for unpacking confusing and upsetting feelings that take over our life.

Even just the process of getting feelings, emotions and problems out on the page can help you to see more clearly, to be less overwhelmed by the issue and to start seeing a way out. In other words, creative arts therapy creates new perspectives of your challenges, shedding new light on old stories, and helping to shift feelings of being stuck or trapped within yourself.

By helping to form a clearer picture of the self/selves, creative arts therapy is particularly effective for those who need LGBTQ support. Together we can create images/sculptures of your identities showing how they relate to each other – helping to make sense of who you are in all your colours, rather than trying to be who you think you should be. We’ll work first creating safety, acceptance of who you are, and look to how this world can better fit your needs as the beautiful individual you are.

Often being in the present moment can be difficult for a lot of people in modern times. With the significant jump in technologies, we have constant companionship in the form of smart phones, tablets and laptops, making silence and empty space seem like a thing of the past. This has had devastating effects on our mental wellbeing, as well as our creative potential. Neuroscience is now telling us that this silence space without ‘doing’ anything is essential for our brains to digest information and to gain insight or new ideas. By filling up this space, we are left craving attention, rewards, and stimulation, fearing being alone with ourselves. Mindfulness is a wonderful practice that helps to support this, however, for some, it can be too overwhelming to do in the beginning.

Creative arts therapy supports mindfulness practice by being a bridge between the busy mind and the empty space. When creating art, it brings one into a state of peace, focus, and into the present moment. Clients report feeling in a meditative state whilst creating, switching off the thinking brain whilst in flow. This can allow the brain to rest, letting insights to flow and anxieties about the future to lessen. In the creating process, you’re not thinking about the past or worrying about the future – you are here and now, focusing on the simple act of putting brush to paper, or twig to clay. Let go and allow your body to take over.

There are no limits to how creative arts therapy can help people with all manner of mental, physical or spiritual challenges. It is simply a form of communication that is innate in all human beings, yet has been forgotten or not utilised in most – especially in western culture. Addiction, eating disorders, cancer, dementia, autism – each challenge presents its own set of needs and difficulties that are different with each individual person. What creative arts therapy allows is a new language to come through, one that may have been silent before, letting us be our full, somewhat complex, but phenomenal selves without limitation. And sometimes, that’s all we need to feel heard, accepted and free.

Each session costs $115 and lasts for one hour. Funding may also be available through WINZ, ACC, EAP services or if you’re under 25yrs, with I am Hope (Gumboot Friday). For more information on funding schemes to support affordability of creative arts therapy sessions, click here.

I recommend beginning with 3-6 sessions to really get a feel for the method, and to see how we fit together. If, after this, you no longer wish to continue, I won’t take offence – it is important to find the right modality and the right therapist for you.