“Under the guise of play and pretend, we can – for once – act in new ways. The bit of distance from real life afforded by drama enables us to gain perspective on our real-life roles and patterns and actions, and to experiment actively with alternatives.”                
– Renee Emunah, PhD, RDT/BCT

“Expressive arts therapy—the purposeful application of art, music, dance / movement, dramatic enactment, creative writing, and imaginative play—is largely a nonverbal way of self-expression of feelings and perceptions. More importantly, they are action-oriented and tap implicit, embodied experiences of trauma that can defy expression through verbal therapy or logic.” 
  -Dr. Malchiodi’s book, Trauma and Expressive Arts Therapy

Creative Arts

Everyone is creative and creativity can be healing. It is way of working with the arts through different mediums so that personal learning and meaning making can occur. The process engages multiple senses and activates many areas of the brain making the therapy experience one that uses both body and mind.

The focus is on the creative process as a means for transformation. Creative arts modalities recognise the inherent value of the arts as necessary for health and well-being. We project aspects of ourselves or our experience onto a creative medium and express our inner world.  

 How would I benefit from working creatively?

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 Creative arts counselling uses creative techniques to help express your emotions.  Using theater and various arts mediums and techniques to explore your personal story and find ways to bring clarity and understanding to your present situation. 

 Is that therapy for actors or artists?

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Creative arts therapy is for anyone who is interested in using creative and experiential techniques in therapy.  Shy people are welcome.

 Do I have to know how to paint, sing, or act ?

No.  Most of the acting we are doing involves – embodying ideas, thoughts and feelings and exploring the roles we play in our everyday lives.  No judgment here.

 Is drama therapy only for children?

No.  Drama therapy is a good modality to use with children because dramatic play is a natural way for children to learn new skills and work through difficult experiences.  However, the benefits of play and creativity extend to all ages.

 What kinds of things will you ask me to do?

 Some examples of creative activities in a creative arts session:

• Write a letter (to yourself, to someone you know, to a part of yourself, a character)
• Draw, Paint, Collage
• Create a Mask
• Create a Story
• Explore a Myth/Fairytale/Poem
• Free Writing 
• Personify an emotion (for example, if your fear could talk what would it say to you?)
• Speak from the point of view of important people in your life (for example, what would your mother say about you?  How would your spouse describe this problem?)
• Practice an upcoming conversation
• Identify the roles you play in your life (Sister, Student, Daughter)
• Speak the internal “voices in your head” (for example, what does your internal critic say to you when you try to do something new – does it say “You can’t do this,  you’re stupid for even trying….”)
• Cultivate the internal ” Self-compassionate voices”

“As we are unbound from the past, a future abundant with new possibilities unfolds. Our ability to be in the present expands, revealing the timeless essence of the ‘now.’”
— Peter Levine