A POWERFUL MODALITY TO AID IN ACCESSING AND EXPRESSING THE HIDDEN INNER SELF 

My Approach to Art and Clay Therapy

Many clients find it difficult to express themselves through language. People only articulate a fraction of what they are truly experiencing. Most do not possess the emotional vocabulary to fully express deeper life challenges and emotions. And there are many who don’t realise the depth of an issue. 

Others use words to mask their wounds. They utlise language as a diversion technique or as a defence mechanism to hide the truth from others, and even themselves. Much of this can be subconscious behaviour.

To cut through the limitations of language and subconscious behaviours, art and clay therapy can prove to be extremely useful. It uses the non-verbal part of the brain to facilitate truer expressions of what you are experiencing internally.

The creative process is used to explore unresolved inner conflicts, thoughts and emotions to provide more in-depth understanding of issues that is usually beyond linguistic expression. 

Once experiences and emotions are externalised as art or objects of clay, it can be easier to talk about them. Describing your art work or your art making process can provide valuable insights required for healing.

Art and clay can subconsciously take you back to the innocent days of childhood (with some guidance from me as your therapist). I facilitate in creating a space for you to place your guard down and allow the freedom of authentic expression take over you.

Water colours, pastels, acrylic paint or clay is used to facilitate this process. You don’t have to be an artist or have had any art background to see the benefits of art therapy. 

Each medium has it own soothing properties.

For example, the act of pounding, smoothing, building, moulding and shaping with clay creates a sense of a changing landscape. This can help you in the  self-regulation of a dynamic world. It’s 3D property can also provide an additional depth to your awareness.

With using watercolour and paints; the act of painting in colours and creating layers can help you recognise the various aspects involved in a situation. It helps in the understanding that a presenting problem is not isolated and usually rooted in something much deeper in the psyche. We uncover these deep rooted issues together in a safe and creative space.

There is no right or wrong in art and clay therapy. Each artwork is as unique as each individual in providing insights, growth and inner transformation. It is like watching a flower bloom petal by petal. We don’t force anything, we simply allow each petal to open organically, as it should.It is a gentle and kind process of inner transformation for lasting change.