What is Expressive/Creative Arts Therapy?
A valuable, evidence based treatment combining the principles of psychotherapy and various art forms that allows people to express themselves, encourage healing and build resilience in a supportive therapeutic relationship with a qualified creative arts therapist.
Trained, registered health professionals who use creative processes to help people explore feelings that may be hard to put into words. They help reduce anxiety, improve self- awareness and facilitate pathways to healing, all while having fun!
In addition to all this, they complete case notes, keep on top of new research, build treatment plans and practice self care in order to be fully present for the client!
I was never good at art. Is this for me?
It most definitely is for you!
The idea behind using different ways to express yourself as part of the therapeutic process is to empower you with the ability to create and experience the process as it relates to your journey towards well-being. The therapist does not look to judge your finished product or analyse your creation.
“It’s harnessing emotions and using parts of the brain that you might never have dwelled on before, and expressing those emotions in a visual way… Art therapy allows and, more importantly, encourages you to tap into emotions, working through them in a therapeutic way rather than pushing them to the side.”
No judgement from the art or the therapist!
You don’t need to know how to paint, draw or create skillfully!
The focus is on the process, not the product!
Messiness and imperfections are welcome and encouraged!
You are provided art materials in session & don’t have clean up after!
What will the consultation session involve?
The details of the therapeutic process will be discussed; time, place, cost, session frequency, duration and cancellations. It is a chance for you to get to know your therapist better, ask questions and help you decide if the therapist is someone you feel like you can work with.
What happens in a therapy session?
Kikkli offers expressive therapy and EMDR in addition to traditonal talking therapy; these hope to pave a way towards growth and well-being.
“…these approaches are brain-wise interventions that stimulate whole- brain responses to help individuals of all ages experience reparation, recovery and well- being. ” -Cathy Malchiodi
During the initial sessions, where we complete a formal or informal assessment, you and your therapist will work together to explore and develop a shared understanding of your presenting cocnerns, your idea of therapy and your overall goals for therapy.
Following the assessment, we will share treatment recommendations and options with you. It might be so that expressive therapy, EMDR or talk therapy may not be the best option for you and in that case, we will advise alternatives. It will be a similar process for your therapist and you will be provided with other options and can be referred to other therapists who might be better suited.
Once you and your therapist have decided to work together towards achieving your therapeutic goals, a treatment plan will be developed with and for you to guide your therapeutic journey.
How often will I have to attend therapy and for how long?
We recommend weekly sessions for most people but the frequency is entirely dependent on you. So is the length of therapy, depending on your therapeutic needs. This will be discussed and revisited during the sessions.
Will my sessions be confidential?
Yes, everything you say to your therapist will remain confidential. The only time that confidentiality will be breached is if you disclose any information that makes your therapist concerned that there is a safety risk to you or another person. Wherever possible, we will aim to share our concerns with you before notifying a third party.
Kikkli 