| Creative
Art Therapy
What
is Creative Art Therapy?
"Integrative
Arts Therapy is a recent form of arts therapy which seeks to provide
a variety of methods to access feelings in a safe effective way.
In the creative process it is possible to discover where blocks and
inhibitions lie and to free up energy to express and experience life
more fully."
I
offer this person-centred therapy to work with various issues, emotional
problems and "stuckness" which may surface in various forms
at work, school or in relationships.
By
experimenting with paint or clay, using miniatures in sand, telling
a story, using puppets, movement and sound, it is often possible
to tell the issue without the use of too many words.
People
often find it easier to express awkward feelings through the use
of various arts media. They offer a direct and effective way, which
not only communicates the feelings behind the event, but also reveals
insights and understanding.
The
wide range of activities and media is flexible to suit different
individuals and needs. Some might prefer to explore their world modelling
clay, others listen to music whilst making images with paint.
Materials
available in the creative arts may include paints, chalks crayon,
paper, pencils, glue, tape, scraps, instruments, taped music, clay,
puppets, costumes, storybooks, sandtray and miniature toys to build
scenes from the inner world.
These
powerful techniques also offer a "rehearsal of the possible".
They enable people to "test drive" the outcome of decisions
and life choices, which they may be facing or wish to consider. Testing
options in this way helps to bring about clarity.
I
work empathetically with each person and by careful listening, we
can choose one or more appropriate arts media.
Working
with Adults
Adults
find great inspiration working in this creative way. The methods
used are respectful and can often reveal striking insights that illuminate
current issues and allow them to be understood in a new light.
The
arts can also help resolve questions about life directions and decisions,
which a client may face. Clarity can be achieved by exploring options
on a smaller, safer scale.
Working
with children
For
children, play is naturally creative and inventive and their imagination,
in a supportive environment, can be very effective in using these
materials to heal some of the pains and anxieties they feel. I find
that children's problems can often be "discussed" within
the framework of their story, usually told in metaphor.
Children
have often not as yet learnt to articulate their worries and problems
verbally. As these are "understood" and witnessed using
the arts, children's natural self-healing ability can enable shifts
to happen, often in a short space of time. They find in this form
of work a safe and effective way of expressing themselves, which
makes it very valuable to them.
I
am happy to offer an introductory session to explore this unique
form of creative arts therapy and would be pleased to discuss any
further questions.
I
lead one-day "Creative Arts" workshops using some of these
techniques. I also practice as a life coach.
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