Words alone can often seem inadequate to describe our feelings and experiences. Integrative Arts Psychotherapy combines the skills of traditional psychotherapy and counselling with the use of the imagination and creative techniques.
Experimenting through art and the imagination can add a depth to the sessions that reaches beyond words and can produce new and surprising insights. Because the emphasis is on expressing and exploring, there is no need to be at all artistically talented to find the arts helpful.
I found I could say things with colours and shapes which I couldn’t say in any other way-things I had no words for.” Georgia O’Keefe
The following art forms are available in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy, although there is no obligation to use any of the art forms. They are there to aid expression for those who are drawn to them.
Paint, Pastels and Crayons
Our images often reveal things that we may not have been fully aware of, allowing a fuller and deeper comprehension of a feeling or situation and often the emergence of new insights.
The concrete nature of the image enables the client and therapist to linger longer in the exploration of the client’s inner world, whilst at the same time offering the client protection that they need only reveal as much as they want to reveal.
I was not out to paint beautiful pictures; even painting good pictures was not important to me. I wanted only to help the truth burst forth.” Alice Miller
Sandtray and Miniature Objects
Clients choose from a whole world of miniature people, animals and buildings and arrange them in the controlled space of the ‘theatre of the sandbox’. This theatre then offers an overview of important life issues in the client’s world. Once feelings are organised and externalised in sandplay, they can be contemplated from a distance, and then assimilated.
One of the best ways to find out if this approach feels helpful for you is to arrange an initial consultation. In this way you can “try out” whether it is a way of working which feels beneficial.
For any more information or to book an initial consultation, contact Catherine.
