About

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I think creativity can be such a charged word, filled with many interpretations that may box this very natural response, into some kind of innate talent bestowed on a few who express creativity within their vocation or hobby. In my practice I work with an understanding that creativity is part of how we think, feel and behave. We are constantly making choices, interpretations, or imagining certain things to be certain ways. And this is a process where we synthesize sensory inputs from our external and internal worlds to make meaning.  I see this process as creative, and one we all do every day. And this is often the site of my work in creativity. That being said, you have to be interested or comfortable to at times explore material through abstract ways for this to be a helpful form of therapy for you. We engage with projective work through embodiment, map making, object projection and narrative. This is done so that we may externalize a certain issue, relationship, behavioral pattern or experience, so as to gain some psychological distance and perspective. I will always work from where the client is comfortable to engage, and I have found this to be an extremely rewarding, eye opening and impactful way of working. Especially in moments where clients feel stuck or overwhelmed by an issue, event or symptom. This way of working can also increase empathy to oneself and others and allow for emotions and experiences where we might feel frozen, or experience some kind of disassociation, to be processed and assimilated. 

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As arts therapists we are governed by the Health Professions Counsil of South Africa (HPCSA) and thus are required to abide by their ethical guidelines, which include confidentiality of client information. Confidentially within therapy means that your information is not shared with others. 

Under very specific situations I may be sanctioned by law to break confidentiality. And I would like you to be aware of these exceptions:

1. My statutory duty to protect a client or others from harm;

2. Court orders, where I am obligated to disclose information if summoned by a court;

3. If a consultation with another professional is required to best support you. 

This will be discussed with you and agreed upon with you in writing, so you are in control of this decision. 

I will always work towards protecting your confidentiality, but feel it is my ethical responsibility that you are aware of these very unique circumstances when confidentiality can be broken. 

  I really get this, in a space of vulnerability or trauma the word ‘drama’ may in itself be overwhelming or intimidating. As a drama therapist I use elements of drama to achieve therapeutic goals. Elements we may use include embodiment (to explore the connection between mind, body and brain) the use of narrative based therapy techniques and projection (a process of projecting internal psychological material into an external form through work with clay, masks, map making, role taking and object projections; offering distance, space and perspective). My work is client led, we engage in ways that are nurturing, supportive and tangible and always work within the clients realm of feeling safe and empowered.  

Arts therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative processes to address psychological issues. It can be a powerful tool for promoting healing, self-awareness, and personal growth. Here are some areas where arts therapy can be beneficial:

1. Emotional Expression and Regulation

• Helps with managing emotions: Arts therapy provides a non-verbal or psychologically distanced outlet for expressing complex feelings, especially when it's hard to articulate emotions with words.

• Reduces anxiety and stress: Creative activities can be calming, helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, and tension.

• Processing grief: For those dealing with loss, arts therapy can help to explore and process emotions and changes in one’s life and ultimately over time support the rebuilding of ones identity post loss.

2. Trauma and PTSD

• Healing from trauma: Arts therapy is often used with survivors of trauma or abuse, allowing them to explore difficult memories and experiences in a safe, non-threatening way.

• Trauma integration: Creative expression can help integrate traumatic experiences into a person’s life story, leading to a sense of understanding and healing.

3. Mental Health Conditions

• Depression and anxiety: Arts therapy can help individuals with depression express their feelings, break through emotional numbness, and explore sources of pain or disconnection.

• Mood disorders: Through creative expression, individuals can gain insight into the sources of mood fluctuations and develop coping strategies.

• Self-esteem and identity issues: It encourages self-discovery, self-acceptance, and the rebuilding of a positive self-image.

4. Cognitive and Developmental Challenges

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s: Arts therapy can improve cognitive function and provide a way for individuals with dementia to communicate and express themselves when verbal skills decline.

• Autism spectrum disorder: Children or adults on the autism spectrum may benefit from arts therapy as a way to enhance communication, reduce social isolation, and improve emotional expression.

• Learning disabilities and brain injury: Arts therapy can be a non-threatening way for individuals with learning challenges or brain injury to express themselves and feel understood. Arts therapy support neuroplasticity by stimulating different areas of the brain through creative, engaging, and sensory-rich experiences.

5. Personal Growth and Self-Exploration

• Self-discovery: Arts therapy can help individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and life experiences, promoting greater self-awareness and personal insight.

• Goal setting: It can help individuals visualize and clarify personal goals and the steps necessary to achieve them.

• Creativity and problem-solving: The process of creating encourages new ways of thinking and problem-solving, fostering reflection and innovation.

6. Emotional and Behavioral Issues

•  Emotional and behavioral challenges in children: Arts therapy can be highly effective in helping children address behavioral challenges by providing a creative and safe space to explore emotions, develop social skills, and practice new behaviors.

• Addiction recovery: It can aid individuals in addiction recovery by helping them explore the underlying emotional causes of their behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

7. Physical Health and Chronic Illness

• Pain management: For individuals dealing with chronic pain or illness, art therapy can serve as a form of distraction, emotional release, and self-soothing.

• Body image and self-worth: Arts therapy helps people confront and transform their relationship with their body by integrating emotional, physical, and cognitive aspects of self-expression, ultimately supporting healthier body image and improved self-esteem. 

8. Social Skills and Communication

• Improved interpersonal relationships: Through the therapeutic relationship and through group arts therapy, individuals can learn to connect with others, develop empathy, and communicate in healthier, more effective ways. In many ways the therapeutic environment offer and opportunity to rehears social and communication skills. 

• Expressing the inexpressible: For people who struggle with verbal communication, art therapy provides an alternative form of expression, helping them convey feelings and thoughts that might otherwise remain unspoken.

9. Identity Issues

• Exploring identity and life transitions: Arts therapy can help individuals navigate complex life transitions (e.g., aging, career changes, moving to a new country, etc.) by helping them process identity shifts. When working with identity and life transitions in arts therapy, the therapist can provide a creative space to examine different aspects of the self and how one relates to the world and come to form a relationship with one’s identity that ultimately serves our wellbeing. 

10. Spiritual and Existential Issues

• Spiritual growth: For some individuals, arts therapy provides a space to explore their spiritual beliefs and life’s deeper meaning, fostering a sense of connection and purpose. Working in the space of creativity and metaphor, is to engage ones very soul. It is my experience that arts therapy can be profoundly impactful at many levels of a person’s being. 

• Coping with existential crises: Arts therapy can be a way to process big life questions or feelings of disillusionment and help people find meaning in their experiences. Creative expression is often followed by meaning making and this process can support us to realign with a sense of purpose.