Artistic Expression for Mental Health
Artistic and musical practices are powerful tools for promoting mental health and wellbeing. Engaging in creative activities such as playing or writing music, painting, drawing, clay-work, video art, and journalling are just some of the practices used at The Harmony Hut to help you reduce stress, improve mood, and increase self-awareness. These practices can also provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem.
With an empathetic guide by your side, you’ll have the support to navigate your creative journey, ensuring you feel heard and understood throughout the process.
What is Creative Arts Counselling?
Creative arts counselling is a form of therapy that uses creative expression and a variety of artistic tools as a means of promoting emotional and mental safety and well-being. It can help the brain create new thinking patterns, new solutions and new coping strategies in a safe and nurturing environment. Some goals of creative arts counselling are to help individuals regulate and express their emotions, improve their self-esteem, and externalise their inner world.
Who is Creative Arts Counselling useful for?
Creative arts counselling is useful for individuals of any age who are looking for a non-traditional approach to therapy. It can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with expressing themselves verbally or have experienced trauma. Creative arts counselling can also benefit individuals who are looking to explore their emotions and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
Do I have to have musical or artistic skills?
Not at all! You don't need to have any musical or artistic skill to attend creative arts counselling. The focus of this therapy is on the process of creating and expressing yourself, rather than on the final product. The counsellor will guide you through the creative process and help you explore your emotions and thoughts through various art forms.
What's the difference between creative arts therapy and a music or art lesson?
What distinguishes creative arts therapy from traditional music or art lessons lies primarily in the intended outcomes. In a music lesson, the focus is on learning to play an instrument, while an art lesson is to develop artistic skills. In contrast, creative arts counselling involves collaboration with a trained counsellor who utilises music and art as therapeutic tools to foster self-awareness, manage stress and anxiety, express complex emotions, and work towards personal goals.
