What is creative therapy all about?

As an integrative arts psychotherapist, I often find myself having to explain this mysterious sounding type of therapy. So recently I’ve been reflecting on what it is that makes our approach special. I’ve come up with some frequently asked questions and I’m sharing my responses to them. As people, we are all wonderfully different which is why it is important that there are such diverse therapy modalities out there, but this level of choice can also be bewildering. If you are curious about what a creative approach might bring read on…

Who is creative therapy for?

Creative therapies are for everyone. But there are some people who might benefit particularly. Creative approaches can suit people who want something that does not rely exclusively on talking or who appreciate visual communication.  Many neuro-divergent people appreciate this way of working as it can be adapted to an individual’s unique needs.

It can also be a beneficial approach for those who have been through trauma or abuse as art provides us with a gentle way to look at difficult memories. The arts are helpful for people going through life transitions since they open up a reflective space.  And of course, for people who already love the arts, it can be great to build on that, although as we will see being an artist is not necessary for getting a lot from creative therapy.

Do I need to be arty to benefit from creative therapy?

Many people are put off taking part in the arts due to discouraging experiences at school. How many of us have been told we can’t draw, sing or dance and taken these critical words to heart? Everybody has the capacity to be creative. How this is expressed varies a lot from person to person, and often we overlook how creative we are in our daily lives. Everyday creativity includes cooking, taking photos with our phones, choices about how we dress ourselves or our homes, or the music and shows we stream. Creativity is our birthright, a resource freely available to all. As Maya Angelou puts it: “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

Creative Therapy gives people the opportunity to try new arts activities but it’s not the same as an arts class. It’s not about learning art skills or making masterpieces, Instead, the emphasis is on the experience of being creative, how this makes us feel and what this can teach us about ourselves. For some people, this can open the door to rewarding new arts activities, but this is not necessary for creative therapy to be helpful.

What is it about creativity that supports good mental health and resilience?

When we engage in creative activities, we strengthen the part of ourselves that is concerned with growth, finding solutions, building connections and being adventurous. 

Neuroscience tells us that creativity brings a different side of our brain into play than analytical activities, so creating and then reflecting on what we have made, allows us to tap into all of our potential, developing a more integrated sense of who we are and our place in the world. Because the arts require us to be open-minded, using imagination and curiosity, we can become better at understanding other people which will improve our relationships.

The arts can build our capacity for mindfulness, bringing ourselves back into the present and learning to let go of the past. We can access flow states of concentration which can be deeply beneficial. Some practices, for example doodling, journaling or music, can become reliable lifelong resources supporting us in our daily lives, helping us to manage stress and strong emotions.

How does creative therapy compare to traditional talking therapies?

A creative therapy session can be as much of an opportunity for being heard as traditional therapy since talking and listening is always available to us. By adding in the arts, creative therapy opens up some additional communication routes. This can be especially helpful with challenging subjects which might be hard to talk about, either because they are so painful or when we are experiencing unclear or conflicting emotions.

The arts give us a safe way to express and explore difficult feelings and memories, locating them outside of ourselves, for example in an image or a poem. This means we can look at them with a bit of perspective, with the support of the therapist looking alongside us. The arts allow us to show, rather than tell, how we are feeling. This can be powerfully transformative.

Creative therapy differs from many talking therapies because there is a greater acknowledgement of embodiment, that we are more than just our brains and thoughts. When we start to use our hands, or even move around the room, we have the opportunity to change at a deeper level. This is about working holistically with all the parts of ourselves, promoting harmony.

It’s also worth noting that since creativity is close to play, this kind of therapy can be fun, allowing us to get in touch with younger potentially joyful parts of ourselves. Or if our childhood has been difficult, creativity can provide a different, more nourishing experience of play than we had before. In this way, creative therapy can be particularly helpful in addressing and moving on from childhood issues constructively.

What kinds of things would we do in a creative therapy session?

Some creative therapists work with just one modality, for example, visual art, music, drama or dance. Others take an integrative approach, using a mix of art forms. This means that sessions are as varied as clients are. Which art forms will be used will depend on what inspires a particular person, but typical practices include: drawing, painting, sand tray, clay, body awareness and creative writing. In my view any kind of creative activity is appropriate. I have used diverse techniques, everything from stitching sequins to digital sound design. Whilst many of the people I have worked with have created wonderful works of art, this is not the main focus. It’s the experience of being creative, and what we can learn about ourselves from this fascinating journey, that is most important.