Creative Counselling

Sometimes words aren’t the only way to explore what’s going on.

I believe there is a creative part within all of us. Creativity doesn’t necessarily mean painting a picture or being “good at art”. It can be found in the way we notice the world around us, the things we are drawn to, the stories we tell, the spaces we create and decorate, the food we make or the things that spark our imagination such as reading books or poems.

For some people, creativity can offer another way into therapy.

A different way of exploring

Counselling doesn’t always have to happen entirely through conversation.

When it feels appropriate, I may bring creative approaches into our work — perhaps through drawing, painting, collage, writing, storytelling, imagery, metaphor, cards or other creative exercises.

You don’t need to consider yourself creative, and there is no expectation to produce something that looks “good”. The process is much more important than the finished piece.

Sometimes creating something can help us express an experience that is difficult to put into words. Sometimes it can help us see something from a different perspective. And sometimes it is simply a different way of slowing down and paying attention to what is happening within us.

There is never an obligation to use creative approaches. We can work entirely through conversation, or explore creative ways of working together if something feels useful to you.

Creativity and my practice

I currently offer face-to-face counselling from a creative therapy space in Edinburgh. Having access to a space where there is room to work with different materials and approaches gives us the possibility of bringing more creativity into our sessions when it feels appropriate.

I use creative approaches in face to face therapy in Perth if suitable as well just the room is not creatively set up for such so I need to be a bit more flexible in what kind of creative interventions are available.

My use of creative approaches is guided by you, rather than by a set programme. We can be curious about what might help and adapt our way of working as we go.

Looking ahead

Creativity is also an area of my work that I would like to develop further.

I have previously facilitated creative sessions outside of counselling, and I’d love to return to this in the future through creative wellbeing workshops and other opportunities to create and connect with others.

This is something I’m currently exploring — more to come.

Let me know if this would be something you’d might be interested in.

Interested in creative approaches?
I’m hoping to bring more creative workshops and spaces for creative exploration back into my work in the future. If this is something that speaks to you, feel free to get in touch.