Sometimes it’s hard to explain what we feel or even to know what we feel.
At Creatively Dreaming Therapy in Horsham, I offer counselling that goes beyond talking. Working creatively in therapy can involve drawing, painting, collage, clay, sand tray work, stories, movement, nature, or guided imagination. These approaches can help express feelings that are hard to put into words, opening up new ways of understanding and healing in a safe and supportive space.
Sometimes we simply don’t want to talk and that’s okay. Working creatively in therapy offers a way to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences through images, movement, metaphor, and imagination.
This isn’t about being “good” at art. It’s about using creative tools to access deeper parts of yourself, in a safe and supported way. Whether you’re drawn to colours, storytelling, nature, or simply thinking outside the box, creative approaches can open up new pathways to self-understanding and transformation.
Why Work Creatively?
Creative approaches help to express what’s hard to say in words because sometimes what you want to say feels too painful, has been buried for a long time or you have felt unsure how to explain how you are feeling.
Working creatively helps to process trauma and emotional overwhelm safely through gentle exploration using creativity as a vehicle.
It can help you to tap into your inner wisdom and intuition and see problems from new perspectives.
When we use creative approaches, it can bring a sense of freedom to be playful and curious in therapy.
It may bring about childlike qualities or help break free of feelings of needing to be in control.
Working in this way can also access a sense of calm, flow, or empowerment giving you the time to process thoughts, feelings and emotions.
How We Might Work
Each person is different, and we’ll always go at your pace. Some ways creativity might support your therapy are by using art and imagery by drawing, painting, making collage, or using visual metaphors to explore emotions.
We may use visual image cards to help connect with feelings or to support you in where you are on your unique journey.
I offer sand tray work using objects and characters that you feel drawn to in a small sand tray to explore situations, relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
There are a huge range of ways of working creatively.
These include using Russian dolls to explore a sense of who you are, inner child work, relationships, family dynamics and emotions.
Puppets, toys, mini-figures, animal figurines etc may be used to explore the different aspects of you, feelings, family dynamics, relationships, past events, to role-play situations etc.
I offer tools, tips and supportive posts where I talk about how working creatively can support the therapeutic process on my facebook page: Creatively Dreaming Therapy, with Helen Taylor.
Writing and storytelling using journalling, letter writing, or working with personal narratives. This may be an activity you carry out at home and choose to share in the therapeutic space.
Nature-inspired work using natural objects, outdoor reflections, or seasonal themes. Symbol and metaphor working with inner landscapes, language, colour, shape, or guided visualisations.
Creative mindfulness by working with grounding techniques that combine focus and imagination. You don’t need any experience or materials just an open mind and a willingness to explore.
