“I’m not good at art.” “Playing is for kids.” “I am not very creative.” These are all common remarks I hear once clients know that I incorporate creative expressive art techniques into therapy when it’s applicable. The reality of the situation is, it doesn’t matter whether or not the activity turns out “good” or it feels childish (and actually this judgment is something that may be extremely important to explore during your time in therapy). What matters from these creative techniques, is by doing so, you are engaging in whole-brain therapy. In this blog, I will explore more about whole brain therapy and how it can help.
More often than not, when individuals state that they are in therapy, this means they go and talk to a licensed professional for usually 50 minutes about what life is throwing at them, how they are coping, and perhaps the underlying root of the issue.
This usually proves effective if the client has a strong relationship with their therapist. However, in this modality, the client is only using one part of their brain –the left side. This is the logical, critical thinking, and linguistic part of your brain. The right side, the creative, intuitive, and visual, part of your brain is completely excluded in traditional talk therapy.
It is important information that the right side is not being used in traditional talk therapy.
When you go through life your whole brain is absorbing everything. All the five senses are being used. Language and visual information are being absorbed within your experiences. By only using the left side of your brain, you only get a partial picture or part of what is getting in the way. This is particularly critical when trauma occurs.
For example, if you are in a car accident, your brain is absorbing information all around you at lightning speed.
This includes what you see in front of you, where you are, what is playing on the radio, the temperature of the car, or any sensations on your skin and body. But in recollecting the events afterward or within therapy, you use the left side of your brain in verbally stating your experience. This can be triggered and a therapist within traditional talk therapy can help you verbally process through this traumatic event. However, again, the right side of your brain is being excluded, which includes all that sensation that your body is taking in. This is why you may not know what is triggering you when you get into the car again. It may be any one of the items listed above that is not “logical,” “critical” or what you have verbally identified, but what is visual or intuitive.
So, by using creative expressive art techniques in trauma therapy, you are engaging in whole-brain therapy.
You are giving space for the right side of your brain to also process your experience. You are giving way for the experiences that cannot be verbalized to be recognized and healed. This often can be what people mean by “I am blocked” or “there is something there, I just can’t put my finger on it.”
Utilizing a therapy technique that is not widely discussed can be intimidating.
While there are a variety of different techniques that can be used in whole-brain therapy approaches, some common broad categories can include: sandtray, poetry, dance, music, poems, clay, art, and collages. These different categories can be personalized and used by a trained professional in therapy to bring what is already there to light so you can move forward in your healing journey.
All in all, creative expressive art isn’t just for young or talented clients. Creative expressive art is for YOU! Your holistic healing journey will be more complete when you use both sides of your brain. Your experience will be fully seen, heard, and healed by using whole-brain therapy. By incorporating activities that include a creative element you are doing just that! If you are curious about creative expressive art therapy and how it can serve you specifically, please reach out. I would love to partner with you in your healing journey.
By Karissa Stewart, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (IMH21998)
Ready to Start Trauma Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL?
Beginning the journey to your best self is easier than most of the things we’re all doing right now! Therapy does not have to wait. You can get the mental health support you need with a skilled therapist in St. Pete or with online therapy in Florida. To begin, just follow these simple steps:
- Contact us to request an appointment
- Meet with one of our experienced therapists.
- Get support & begin your journey toward mental wellness & connection today!
Other Mental Health and Wellness Services at ME-Therapy
At ME-Therapy, we believe in the importance of mental, emotional & physical wellbeing. Our therapists want to help your mind but also want to feed your soul. This means we take a holistic approach to mental health. In order to do this, we offer a wide range of mental health services in our St. Petersburg office and online including therapy for women, therapy for men, trauma therapy, and holistic, spiritual therapy. For couples and relationships, we want you to know that our relationship therapists are here for you ALL. In addition to marriage counseling, we provide sex therapy, affair recovery counseling, and poly-friendly kink-aware therapy.
