About Creative Therapies
What are creative therapies?
‘Creative’ or ‘expressive’ therapies are those that use any form of creativity within the process of the therapy. There really is no limit to what and how creativity is used and explored, and it is very much down to each individual, whether child or adult, as to what takes place in the session!
Here at NEST Creative Therapies we try to offer as much variety as possible to give you the choice and options to find what fits and feels right for you in each session.
We have a variety of arts and craft materials (including paints, chalks and clay), sand and sensory trays, toys and play materials, fabrics, dolls houses, drums and instruments and much more in-between.
Why use creative therapies?
Working creatively to support our wellbeing is nothing new! Since the time of ancient Egypt, humans have been encouraged to pursue artistic interests to prevent distress and support their mental health.
For children, teenagers and adults alike, the offering and use of creativity serves as an additional tool for communication. We may not always have the words or at times they might not feel quite enough, exploring and expressing emotions creatively through ‘doing’ provides another ‘language’ within the work for you or your child to speak through as you need.
Creative therapies can prove incredibly powerful and readily aid a sense of healing and emotional release. They provide the opportunity to explore your own process at greater depth and add another layer to your insight into yourself, others and your experiences.
Whilst coming to therapy is a big step for anyone and can prove challenging at times, for children particularly, coming to therapy may seem a strange experience and using play, art and movement etc. helps to create a sense of normality and safety. Like anyone who comes to therapy, it is important for children to feel comfortable in the work so they are able to engage and access the support in the way that they need – using creative tools they are familiar with gives them another way to ‘talk’ to us, express themselves and re-experience situations that they may need to without the pressure of finding the ‘right words’ for these.
We recognise that there may be some hesitation about using creative materials in therapy and whilst NEST is primarily a creative-based service and there are opportunities for creativity in every session, it is entirely up to you if and how you use any materials and your choice will always be respected – all work is an invitation and will be led by you at your pace.
What can I use in a session?
Whatever you like! All the equipment and resources are available to you each session and you can use any and all of them as you wish, at any time. Equally, if you don’t want to use any creative materials, you don’t have to!
There are opportunities for using the arts – such as painting, using clay or crafting, movement and drama, play, music, sand, incorporating nature and much more.
The joy of creative therapies is that the possibilities are endless, you may find one specific material that you love using or you may mix it up and use many – it is all up to you and exploring it is part of the process.
The Therapy Process
Following a referral, we will arrange for a brief telephone appointment to discuss the initial reasons for referral and to ensure that NEST Creative Therapies is the most suitable intervention for you or your child. If I feel we are not able to offer the most appropriate support, you will be signposted to where might be more suitable.
Adult Therapy
If it is decided to continue with the referral and the therapy is for yourself, we will arrange for an initial assessment session to take place, this gives us all an opportunity to discuss the reasons for referral and any additional background information that may be useful to support the therapy going forward, we will discuss the process of therapy and any guidelines for the ongoing work. This initial session gives you the opportunity to ask any questions and will give you a feel for the work and whether you would like to continue. There is no obligation to proceed with ongoing therapy if you feel it is not the right fit for you.
Following the initial assessment, if you would like to continue with the work then we will arrange a regular session time each week where we will meet.
Child & Adolescent Therapy
If the referral is for your child, the initial assessment session will take place with just the parents/carers in attendance. This gives us all an opportunity to discuss the reasons for referral and any additional background information that may be useful to support the therapy going forward and which may not be wholly appropriate for your child to hear, depending on their age.
Following the initial assessment, I will arrange to meet with your child for their own assessment session. In this we will explore together their own perspectives of receiving this support, whether I feel it is suitable and whether they wish to attend and continue with the work. If a child does not wish to continue for whatever reason, then the work will not continue.
Following the initial assessment sessions, if we are all in agreement to continue with the work then we will arrange a regular session time each week where I will meet with your child.
Please be aware that in order to further support your child’s therapy, regular parent/carer review sessions will be required throughout the duration of the work. These will be agreed in advance, on a case-by-case basis.
Depending on an adolescent’s age and their ability to provide consent for the work, it may be appropriate to begin the work without the parent/carer initial assessment session. This will be discussed during our telephone appointment and addressed on a case-by-case basis.
"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play, than in a year of conversation"
Plato