Creative Therapy
'Something amazing happens when feelings are worked through with active imagination rather than solely in a thinking way. A very different part of the brain is activated, and with this comes a deeper wisdom, a stronger and clearer truth.'
Margot Sunderland (award winning author and psychotherapist), 2010
Words can't always describe the depth or complexity of our thoughts and feelings. Using painting, drawing or the sandtray world can help us to gain insight into dimly felt experience. Brain scans show that working with the imagination helps us access the right prefrontal cortex which enables us to process feelings through imagery. Drawing or painting can provide a means of safely exploring overwhelming experiences.
Margot Sunderland (award winning author and psychotherapist), 2010
Words can't always describe the depth or complexity of our thoughts and feelings. Using painting, drawing or the sandtray world can help us to gain insight into dimly felt experience. Brain scans show that working with the imagination helps us access the right prefrontal cortex which enables us to process feelings through imagery. Drawing or painting can provide a means of safely exploring overwhelming experiences.
When I might introduce the creative therapies.
If someone has been describing themselves as depressed, I might suggest drawing or painting this experience. This isn't about being 'an artist' but is helping someone communicate what their depression is like for them. I don't interpret what they have created which might be colours, shapes and lines. I believe that given the right support, people can discover the meaning of the image for themselves.
I might suggest using the sandtray figures to look at conflicts in relationships or within themselves. The figures represent different aspects of the relationship which can be seen and thought about more clearly. People can have more insight into how they are thinking, feeling and behaving and the sandtray provides opportunities to explore new possibilities.
Creative therapy 'transforms talking into doing, stale reminiscing and theorising into being fully here with all one's imagination, energy and excitement with oneself.' Zinker
If someone has been describing themselves as depressed, I might suggest drawing or painting this experience. This isn't about being 'an artist' but is helping someone communicate what their depression is like for them. I don't interpret what they have created which might be colours, shapes and lines. I believe that given the right support, people can discover the meaning of the image for themselves.
I might suggest using the sandtray figures to look at conflicts in relationships or within themselves. The figures represent different aspects of the relationship which can be seen and thought about more clearly. People can have more insight into how they are thinking, feeling and behaving and the sandtray provides opportunities to explore new possibilities.
Creative therapy 'transforms talking into doing, stale reminiscing and theorising into being fully here with all one's imagination, energy and excitement with oneself.' Zinker