14-17 Years Creative Therapy

What is Creative Therapy?

Creative therapy is a different approach to talking therapies but uses the same principles as play therapy. The therapist

understands that sometimes there are no words to express the conflict inside.

Where 'talking therapies' may sometimes feel too challenging, working through your turmoil using art can offer a new dimension.  There is no pressure to find the exact words to convey a feeling and it is not necessary to talk in detail about difficult or painful experiences as an image can 'speak' for you and your therapist will be there to support you throughout.

Creative therapy uses images - in art, clay, sound, sand, or visualisation to help the therapist understand your inner world and experience. Some sessions may be spent talking and listening if that is what you choose or it may help to express yourself in other forms such as drama or dance, it is your free choice.

Do I have to be creative or artistic?

It is not necessary to be artistic in any technical sense but remember we all have a creative side, it’s just unfortunate that so often you may not have been encouraged to use this.  Creative therapy offers a safe space to explore feelings in a creative and non-judgmental way. Every image made tells its own story and is a valid expression of you and the conflict inside.

Who is it for?

Creative therapy is an approach for people who may find 'talking therapies' too challenging, or who find that they can feel 'stuck' when talking.

You may be seeking help for a number of reasons:

·       Attachment difficulties – a young person who has experienced broken attachments through fostering, adoption or bereavement
·       Behavioural difficulties such as - feeling angry all the time, constant crying.
·       Bereavement
·       Being bullied
·       Depression and anxiety
·       Domestic violence
·       Emotional abuse
·       Feeling directionless
·       Feeling withdrawn from or social isolation
·       Life crisis
·       Relationship difficulties
·       Sexual abuse
·       Sexual Identity
·       Stress management
·       Suicidal feelings

 What happens in a session?

For an effective outcome it is advisable that you attend a weekly session for 50 minutes.  During this time you may choose a creative medium to work with whilst supported by the therapist.  You are then invited to communicate the internalised conflict using metaphor or stories whilst talking alongside.

The therapy is non-judgemental and accepting, allowing you to safely explore traumas or emotions that you are struggling to put into words. It doesn’t matter about creative ability as this isn’t a requisite of the therapy.  You have the freedom to express yourself in confidence.

For more information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.