CREATIVE THERAPIES

A way of maintaining creatively our mental health

by Xanthippi Giotopoulou

Staying healthy in every aspect of our lives is crucial to the quality of life in the long term. People are taking into consideration their health and they are trying to have a healthier lifestyle. They go to the gym, eat less junk food, drink less alcohol and have fixed their sleep schedule. Yet, apart from the health of the body, we also have the health of the mind. For the body to function properly, the mind has to be in good condition as well. We need to take care of our minds and our souls to be able to give our best. Nowadays, mental health is as important as body health. People are starting to prioritise their mental health and well-being, recognising their importance to their everyday life.

For someone to nourish and heal their mind and soul, they choose to take psychotherapy sessions with a licenced psychologist or psychotherapist. However, talking sessions are not the only ones used as therapy.

Alternative forms of therapy are gaining more and more fans and followers. People want to explore more ways to maintain their mental health. The protagonists of those alternative forms of therapy are creative therapies.

What are creative therapies?

Creative therapies combine talking therapy along with expressive, art-based activities to treat psychological disorders and improve mental health, and there are a lot of forms of creative therapies. The most common is art therapy, but there is also drama therapy, dance therapy, creative writing therapy and music therapy. Practically, most forms of art can also be used as means for a creative therapy.

A common question is: Do I have to be a skilled artist to be part of a creative therapy session?The answer is: No; you don’t have to be any kind of artist to join a creative therapy session. You don’t have to worry about a beautiful result in any form of art. The point of every creative therapy is not to produce art for an art gallery, a theatre or a dance show, but to express yourself through it. It’s not about what you are able to create but the process of creating it.

Arts are something personal and, because of that, each person can experience a creative therapy session differently. However, all creative therapies have the same goals. Creative therapies are all about non-verbal communication. You don’t have to speak, since they teach you how to express your feelings and thoughts that are difficult to put into words, in another way. Moreover, they help you make sense of things and understand your inner self better. For example, in art therapy, they use different art techniques, music therapy uses rhythms, sounds and music, and dance therapy is all about body movement.

However, it’s how a therapy session is formed and how safe someone feels in it. A session has to provide a safe space and time with a person who will not judge. To access our deeper parts and to let it all out, we have to feel safe enough to do it first. The more relaxed you are, the better it works, and the more empowered you feel.

At an atomic level, an individual learns new ways of approaching and treating problems and difficult situations. Creative therapies help with talking about feelings, which are complicated and experiences that are hard. Solving conflicts and distress in a way that can be used by the individual in the future.

The sessions aim for the individual to improve their cognitive and sensorimotor functions, as well as their self-esteem and self-awareness. During the therapeutic procedures, another aim is to build emotional strength.

Yet, sometimes, a person isn’t conscious about what the problem is or what will help and that works better since creative therapies work at a subconscious level.

They can act as a distraction from pain and illnesses, too.

In group sessions, a person has a chance to socialize and connect with other people. At a group level, there is the dynamic and the chemistry of the team that can play a major role during therapy. Let’s not forget that people see things differently and it’s useful to know another’s opinion and thoughts on a problem you may face.

Overall, creative therapy is an alternative way of regaining and maintaining our mental health. Art forms are used to teach people how to express themselves through them, especially while not using verbal communication. Moreover, apart from self-expression comes the discovery and the understatement of the inner self, and how to deal better with problems. In group sessions, people socialize and get to hear different opinions and voices, creating bonds along with creating art.

A common question is: Do I have to be a skilled artist to be part of a creative therapy session?

Art has many forms and so do we. Using them to express, feel, and define what is inside us to maintain it and evolve should be a creative and learning process.