Integrative Counselling using the Arts

​​Integrative counselling using the arts is a therapeutic approach that combines traditional counselling techniques with creative arts practices to help individuals explore their emotions, thoughts, and experiences.

 

I use this approach with adolescents as I find it a beautiful way for them to express how they're feeling and the emotions within their inner world when they can't find the words.  The arts—such as visual art, music, dance, drama, poetry, and movement—serve as tools for self-exploration, expression, and healing.

 

I bring in a number of different components:

 

Integrative counselling combines various therapeutic modalities, such as talk therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical & Behavioural Therapy (DBT), person-centred therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, alongside artistic techniques. 

 

Art forms like drawing, painting, sculpture, music, drama, and dance are used as a means of expression. 

 

Sometimes clients may find it hard to express their feelings or experiences verbally. The arts offer a non-verbal outlet for expression, providing an alternative way to access deeper emotions.

​

Benefits can include

• Emotional release

• Increased self-awareness

• Improved communication

• Enhanced problem-solving

• Healing trauma

​

This form of therapy can be particularly effective for individuals of all ages, including children, who may find it easier to engage with creative methods rather than talk therapy alone. It's also helpful for those who have experienced trauma, as the arts can bypass some of the barriers that are created by verbal communication.

​