Theraputic Options

Creative counselling offers another way of exploring thoughts, feelings and experiences when words alone don't always feel enough. It can involve using simple creative materials such as drawing, painting, colour, collage, clay or other forms of creative expression.

You don't need to be artistic or have any particular creative skills. There is no right or wrong way to do it, and there is no expectation that you will produce something that looks ‘good’. The focus is on your experience and the process, rather than the finished piece of work.

The approach I use is influenced by person-centred creative arts practice, which is non-judgemental and non-directive. Your creative work is not something I will analyse or interpret for you. Instead, we can gently explore what you notice, what it means to you and anything that comes up for you while you are creating. 

Creative work can sometimes make it easier to express something that feels difficult to put into words. It may offer a different way to:

• explore thoughts and feelings 
• express emotions safely 
• make sense of experiences 
• develop greater self-awareness 
• explore things from a different perspective 
• notice feelings, thoughts or patterns that may otherwise be difficult to describe      
• support reflection and personal growth. 

For some people, simply having the opportunity to create can feel calming and enjoyable. For others, the creative process can open up conversations or insights that might not have emerged through talking alone. APCCA describes creative arts as a gentle, person-centred way of supporting self-expression, self-awareness and therapeutic exploration. 

There is no set way of working. We might use a particular creative activity, or you may simply be given some materials and invited to see what comes to mind.

I might gently suggest an activity if I feel it could be useful, but you are always free to choose whether you would like to take part. You can also change your mind at any point.

Once you have created something, we may talk about what you notice or what the experience was like for you. I won't tell you what your picture, colours or creative work ‘means’. You are the person who gives your work its meaning.

Sometimes you may find that something comes to mind that you weren't expecting. We can take time to explore this together, or simply leave it there if you would rather not go further.

Creative Counselling and Talking Therapy

Creative counselling doesn't mean that you have to stop talking. We can move naturally between creative activities and conversation, depending on what feels helpful for you.

There is no pressure to be creative. If it doesn't feel right for you, we can simply continue with talking therapy or explore another approach together. 

A gentle and personal way of working

Creative counselling is about giving you another way to express and explore what is going on for you. Sometimes a colour, image, shape or creative activity can help us approach something that feels difficult to put into words.

You don't need to know what you want to create or what it means beforehand. We can simply start where you are and see what feels helpful.

You don't have to be ‘good at art’ — this is about you, and your process not the artwork.