Creative Arts Therapies is an umbrella term for healthcare professions that use the creative and expressive process of art making to improve and enhance the psychological and social well-being of individuals of all ages and health conditions.

It draws on modern psychotherapy and psychology; the neuroscience of attachment and embodiment, as well as alternative and traditional ways of seeing and exploring the self e.g. Indigenous and traditional holistic views of wellbeing that draw on thousands of years of wisdom, making the link between mind, body, social connections and the spirit/soul.

No. You don’t need any experience, skills or specific interest in the creative arts to engage with this therapeutic approach. It is the process of making art and using your imagination that is important in this work. The final expressive object (created by the client) is not the focus, although the material object is important. Rather expressive art making is a tool to reach areas of the self which we may be wholly or partially unaware of; or have been lost to the concious self over time.

Many different techniques, materials and processes can be used both in session and outside of sessions, including: journaling, painting, drawing, print-making, collaging, storytelling, writing (poetry, free writing, short stories), photography, mixed and multi-media forms (digital).

Also, drawing on nature for creative inspiration, to problem solve and heal our psychological wounds is a growing but neglected area in therapy. I encourage my clients to explore their relationship with their natural and built environment and to consider how place and space can shape their mental health.

The transpersonal literally mean going beyond the individual self. or ego. The transpersonal approach to individual wellbeing is interested in exploring a range of perspectives, expeiences and knowledge. The approach takes into account the relationship between the biological-psychological-social-spiritual aspects of our everyday life. The approach is a significant part of my theraputic practice, along with other theraputic frameworks (e.g. narrative and attachment theories).

The transpersonal approach uses many differing psychologies, processes and paradigms to uncover unconscious patterns, strengths, gifts, resources and wisdom. The overarching aim is to support healing rather than a narrow focus on the “problem” or a “cure”.

A creative arts therapy session involves four parts in the following order (generally over 1-1.5 hour session):

• CHECK-IN / REVIEW:

  Check-in and discussion of current issues, as well as review of any art making/processes between sessions (as identified by the client)

• ART-MAKING / CREATIVE PROCESS

  An art-making or other creative process will usually be done in the session (e.g. drawing, painting, collage, clay work, writing, etc)

• DISCUSSION:

  A discussion with the client to process any meanings, ideas, feelings, thoughts the process has brought up for the client.

• CLOSURE:

  Session closes with a review of the session, resources follow-up, and plans for any future sessions/engagement. Also, a creative perscription can be discussed with client, to work on between sessions (this is up to client, it is not essential)

Creative Remedies provides all art materials in both individual and group sessions.

You may want to use existing art/craft materials you have, or buy your own, for out-of-session use. This is completely up to the individual, and depending on whether they want to do any creative processes out of a session.

However, I do offer a low cost introductory creative therapy kit containing some essential materials (e.g. pens, pencils, water colours, mixed media papers and collage materials). I have put together this kit with the aim of helping my clients start a theraputic creative practice at home. The kit is optional to purchase and is not necessary to participate in session therapy.

Materials used in session may differ based on specific theraputic process and/or client goals. Generally we will use materials that are appropriate for easy clean-up in individual sessions e.g. pens, pen, pastels, water colours, quick drying modelling clay, collage, paint sticks.