Invite Not Knowing.
Creative Arts Therapy - What is it?
Creative arts therapy uses creative modalities, including visual arts-making, drama, and dance/movement within a therapeutic relationship to improve and inform physical, mental and emotional well-being. The reason it is called "arts therapy" rather than "art therapy" is because of the different arts that are used to help people. Creative arts therapy differs from traditional arts-making or performance in that the emphasis is on the process of creating and making meaning, rather than on the end product. The arts themselves are considered to have healing functions that arts therapists seek to harness to assist their clients to achieve change.
Creative arts therapy with young people
While young people can often benefit from counselling to deal with life’s challenges, they may find it difficult or scary to properly express their fears, worries and difficulties. Young people are naturally creative and playful, two components which are integral to the creative art therapy experience, making it a non-threatening and gentle alternative to the talking therapies.
Creative arts therapy can help to enhance a sense of well-being and assist with a young person’s learning, behavioural, emotional and social problems. Other benefits include:
Improving Self-Regulation - the ability to manage disruptive emotions and impulses.
Emotional Safety - offering the client a safe way to share their story and increase their sense of self worth.
Tangible Reference - Creating something within the sessions allows the experience to be retained and referred to.
What sort of clients do we take on?
Kate is based in Christchurch, New Zealand and specialises in working with children and adolescent ages 5 - 24 years in the following areas:
Mental Ill Health
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Trauma
Identity issues
Selective Mutism
Learning Difficulties
Behaviour and emotional difficulties
Self-esteem
Confidence
Neurodiversity
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ADHD
Social skills
Communication
What people are saying.
“Kate is wonderful with our son! He is really engaged with her and always has a positive mindset after seeing her. Since he has been with Kate he has become calmer and more self assured.”
“You were always there for me and I know you still are.”
“Kate is phenomenal. Her professional and caring approach to therapy has been hugely appreciated. I cannot emphasise enough the positive impact she has had. We feel very grateful to have found Kate and her Creative Arts Therapy at a critical stage in the life of our child. Highly recommended.”
“After years of searching for therapists that encourage and really push growth on their patients, Kate has changed my life.
She’s kind and patient, and helped me work through years of trauma.
I felt accomplished and at peace after each session. I strongly, strongly recommended Kate, and art therapy in general. such a gentle approach that really smashes mental illness struggles.”
“My daughter has being doing art therapy with Kate. It has been wonderful to see her confidence grow as they have journeyed together through some difficult times. My daughter has learnt a lot about herself through the art which has helped her so much in life. I would highly recommend Kate.”