Today, many forms of therapy exist, ranging from those that focus on a specific disorder or patient group to those more eclectic. For example, creative therapy is an eclectic form of psychotherapy involving the use of creative processes to aid individuals with their personal development.
Creative therapy focuses on “the life-enhancing potential within each person and how they can find ways to express this creatively.” Because it is an eclectic approach, creative therapy has no definitive list of goals for its practitioners. Rather, many goals may be chosen during treatment depending on the needs and interests of the client. However, some common goals include: Healing from physical or emotional wounds, Enhancing creativity, Personal growth, Improving communication skills, and Expressing repressed emotions. Generally, creative therapy allows clients to express themselves in ways that they may otherwise be finding difficult or even impossible.
Creativity is often viewed as an interesting but separate topic from psychotherapy. Creative processes are integral parts of many forms of therapy, so creative therapy can be seen as a sub-type of these more traditional approaches. However, it is distinct because of its emphasis on exploration and expression through artistic means rather than exploration and expression through verbal communication. Drawing, writing poetry or prose, painting, sculpting clay, or other materials are used in creative therapies. Although some people fear being “unprofessional” when using their artistic talents during treatment, artists who work in this field can use their experience gained through years of practicing their craft to aid patients.
Creative therapies can occur in many different settings, including mental health facilities, hospitals, schools, and community centers. The length of each session may vary depending on the patient’s needs; generally, sessions last one hour once or twice per week. Through creative processes such as drawing or writing, individuals express themselves to achieve personal insight into their own lives. Because it is an eclectic approach that allows therapists to choose which goals they wish to address with each client, there is no set time required for treatment. Creative therapy often addresses problems by allowing the individual’s subconscious mind to communicate the needed information through the creative process, so s/he may realize what is causing stress or conflict in their life.
Creative therapy can help you resolve issues and better understand how you think, feel, and behave. It allows you to communicate with others and can be used to work through emotions and gain an overall sense of satisfaction with life.
