WORKING CREATIVELY

pencil sketch of musical note with white background .jpg

open book with image popping out black and white imagination magic storytelling cartoon si

black and white line drawing of 3 shells white background scribbly.jpg

line drawing sketch of sand tray therapy

black and white line drawing of paint pot and brushes white background scribbly.jpg

What is Creative Working?

Working in a creative way in the counselling room can often help people to better understand and express their thoughts and feelings, in different ways, and often without relying so heavily on verbal language. Such expression can be effective in helping people to gain greater self-awareness, and to support addressing and solving a wide range of issues. Working in this way, can be beneficial to people of all ages.

You don't have to be confident in your creative abilities for this way of working to be beneficial, as it's about the creation and expression that the process brings, rather than the creation of a fantastic piece of art work for example.

Whilst I am trained as a counsellor - not a creative arts counsellor, I am informed in this area, through interest, passion, experience and CPD, and this allows me to combine creative activities in counselling sessions, with the more traditional talking therapy.

Some creative ways of working that I offer clients in the counselling space, include painting, drawing, creative writing, music, shell work, puppetry and sand tray.

Any kind of fun, enjoyable and creative activity can create brighter outlooks and uplifted spirits, and help a person relax into a process, which can all lead to greater self-knowledge and self-expression

It can support recognising, exploring, processing and communicating issues, when words are either not enough, or hard to find

Creative approaches can tap into the sub-conscious, creating opportunities to increase self-awareness

It can help with emotion regulation

Creativity can help to reduce stress and anxiety, increase confidence and self-esteem, enhance expression, help with emotional development, increase the ability to problem solve, and improve communication, social skills and relationships, to name just a few things

What are some of the Benefits of Working Creatively?

The sensory element of creative working can be hugely beneficial in itself! Touching sand for example, can actually activate sensory parts of the brain, allowing better access to emotional experiences

Creative ways of working can help to keep a safe, psychological distance between a person, and difficult issues/experiences being addressed

What are some of the Benefits of Working Creatively?

Any kind of fun, enjoyable and creative activity can create brighter outlooks and uplifted spirits, and help a person relax into a process, which can all lead to greater self-knowledge and self-expression

It can support recognising, exploring, processing and communicating issues, when words are either not enough, or hard to find

Creative approaches can tap into the sub-conscious, creating opportunities to increase self-awareness

It can help with emotion regulation

Creativity can help to reduce stress and anxiety, increase confidence and self-esteem, enhance expression, help with emotional development, increase the ability to problem solve, and improve communication, social skills and relationships, to name just a few things

The sensory element of creative working can be hugely beneficial in itself! Touching sand for example, can actually activate sensory parts of the brain, allowing better access to emotional experiences

Creative ways of working can help to keep a safe, psychological distance between a person, and difficult issues/experiences being addressed

What are some of the issues that creative work can help with?

Anxiety

Grief

Detachment

Bullying

Emotional/Physical Abuse

Relationship Issues

Depression

Stress

Anger

Sexual assault

Difficult Emotions

Low self-esteem/confidence

Trauma

Difficulties with expression