by Tiffany Leonard, MA, MHC-LP “It all started when I was a child”... is the kind of saying one may joke about when you tell a friend you go to therapy. All jokes aside; did you know that therapy does not always have to look like you’re lying on the couch with your feet up staring at a ceiling and talking to a stranger about your earliest childhood memories? Sigmund Freud may think otherwise but being in the 21st century, things are more up to date than way back then; sorry Freud! Therapy, in a nutshell, has many different areas and tactics that can be of help to any individual. Whether it be talking about a significant problem, deep diving into memories, or seeking new tools and coping mechanisms that one can use for everyday life, therapy can be tough work and at times quite daunting! But it doesn’t always have to feel that way. As a clinician, thinking outside of this box can include bringing creativity into your sessions. Being creative in your day to day work can be fun for both the clinician and client, while still assisting the client in working towards their goals. “What? Therapy can be fun? Doesn’t it have to be a serious conversation only? Isn’t that why people come to therapy to talk about stuff they’re afraid to talk to others about?” Well, dear reader, I’m glad you ask these important questions. The answer is simply ‘Yes’, therapeutic work CAN be both fun and productive, for both the client and therapist as well; this goes for all ages too, not just kids! In my line of work I find it important to gain an understanding of who my client is and develop creative activities that can help them to bring out and process what they are feeling. These activities can be used to help in building rapport with a client during the initial stages of therapy. They can also be used to help with history gathering and getting to know your client, often helping your client to not feel like it is a strict interview or interrogation. Creativity and art can be used in session in a way to help clients express and process difficult or painful feelings, as well as portray shifts and changes that have occurred internally. It is important to note that not all creative activities are for everyone, and not every session needs to involve these activities. I truly believe that therapy should be individualized for each client. I like to keep some creative activities in my "toolbox", ready to use them as needed during a meeting with a client. Here are some of my favorites: Drawing & Coloring in TherapyFreedom of expression in a safe space can bring about SO MANY emotions and behaviors that a clinician can identify and explore with the client. Drawing a picture of your family can help us to look at family dynamics and relationships within your family. We’re not looking for the next Vincent Van Gogh (although, if fitting, we will make a positive comment on how well you can imitate his work!). It can also lead to a broader conversation within the session about each family member and what makes them special to you. Coloring in general can be grounding and comforting. Choosing colors to fill in a mandala or coloring sheet can be a form of expression. Drawings and doodles can also help you to express inner thoughts and feelings. A popular childhood activity, it also can help our adult clients to soothe their inner child during or after expressing painful emotions. Jenga & Card GamesA game such as Jenga or one of many card games can be a fun and casual way to ease into a therapeutic conversation, especially in the first stages of therapy. It can also help us get to know feelings and reactions related to winning and losing. Participating in a competitive game can help us to explore self control aspects and coping with the unknown. As the Jenga tower teeters to and fro later in the game, it can stir up feelings related to the concerns that brought a client in for therapy. The symbolism of aspects of game play can lead the therapy session into addressing the roots of a client's concerns. Playing with ToysPlaying with toys with my client is an interactive experience to gauge how well the client can play with others, share personal items and even shows us what brings you comfort when times can feel stressful (everyone needs something soft and cuddly to give a squeeze when we feel overwhelmed; it’s therapeutic!). Toys can be used for grounding during trauma work. They can also be used to portray real life scenarios and experiences in the therapy room. They can help a client during role play scenarios, preparing to use what they are learning in therapy in their daily life. Having a CatchUs clinicians want to make sure you’re in the here and now and are grounded in session; especially when talking about specific traumatic event(s) that may cause painful emotions to arise. We want to include safety in our sessions when working with trauma; so tossing a ball (a soft stress ball is perfect!) back and forth helps clients to stay in the present moment. It is very challenging, maybe impossible, to catch and throw a ball when your mind is fully in the past! This is especially helpful while clients explore difficult experiences and emotions. Client's Creative OutletsMany clients have previously engaged in creative outlets that have been helpful for them. I enjoy giving them the opportunity to incorporate these tools into the therapy work. Especially if clients have found a creative outlet to be great for self care, incorporating it into the therapy work can be powerful. Clients may want to utilize clay, music, dance/movement, or other artistic avenues in and out of session as a way to enhance their therapy work. Another creative outlet that is more focused on the clinician, but will also benefit the client, is to enjoy creating a fun and comfortable environment within the office space. Show a bit of your personality within your safe space that you’ve created for your clients. Consider utilizing some of your creative outlets in creating your space. If you enjoy painting, buy a blank canvas and paint your own wall decor. If you enjoy working with clay, design a piece or two that sits on your shelf. If you enjoy building with wood, consider designing and building shelves or your ideal table for your office. Invite your clients into a warm and cozy area so that they may feel safe and comfortable enough to be vulnerable in the therapeutic process to gain the most from their time with you. With that being said: decorating your space can be a therapeutic experience for us clinicians too, so why not enjoy work while making yourselves feel at home too! About the AuthorTiffany Leonard, MHC-LP is a therapist at Healing & Growth Counseling who lets her creative side shine when it comes to her work. She incorporates creative methods with her clients to help them to feel comfortable in therapy and to move towards their goals. She is always considering new ways to help her clients heal and overcome obstacles in their lives. She is also responsible for much of the decorating in our office in Massapequa Park, as you can see in the photo above. In her personal life, she incorporates creativity through hobbies such as baking, spending time outside with family and friends, and making travel plans. She also enjoys the creative outlets of others by reading books and watching movies and television shows.
Interested in learning more about Tiffany? Check out her bio page here. Interested in scheduling an appointment with Tiffany? Call us at (516) 406-8991 or fill out our Contact Form here. |
PurposeBlog posts are meant to bring mental health awareness and education to anyone who visits our site. Please know that although reading blogs may be extremely helpful, they may not substitute the work that can be done in therapy. Archives
November 2024
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