What is Creative Psychotherapy?
intuition. play. creative expression.
NOT JUST FOR KIDS
The Power of Play
Play isn’t just for kids—it’s a way humans of all ages make sense of the world. Play allows us to experiment, express emotions, and move energy that words can’t always touch.
For adults, play reconnects us to spontaneity, intuition, and the parts of ourselves that were never meant to be shut down. Play creates safety, flexibility, and possibility. It helps regulate the nervous system, opens access to creativity, and makes space for joy—even in the middle of hard things.
When we play, we can explore without judgment and discover parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten or protected.
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CREATE NEW WAYS OF BEING
Why a Therapy "Studio"?
I use the word studio because it evokes creativity, exploration, and a sense of making or shaping something. Therapy is not only about talking through problems—it’s also about creating new ways of being, new narratives, and new patterns in relationship with ourselves and others.
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A studio is a place where you can experiment, try things at your own pace, and bring your whole self—mind, body, emotion, and imagination. It reflects a space that’s warm, flexible, and expressive, rather than clinical or rigid.
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This isn’t art therapy—conversation is central to most therapy sessions—creative expression simply gives us more ways to explore our experience if words alone aren't enough.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Integrating Play + Creative Expression Into Talk Therapy
Creative expression supports healing on layers that traditional talk therapy alone can’t reach. Depending on the client and moment, it may include:
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ART + DRAWING to externalize feelings or experiences
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MOVEMENT to explore sensations, boundaries, or emotions stored in the body
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SAND TRAY or SYMBOLIC PLAY to process trauma (including preverbal or early childhood experiences)
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STORYTELLING, NARRATIVE WORK or METAPHOR to access deeper insight or inner wisdom
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SOMATIC AWARENESS to notice how emotions show up physically
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BREATH, MUSIC, or SENSORY PLAY to regulate and reconnect
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Offering opportunities for creative expression gives clients agency, helps bypass shame and self-censorship, and supports emotional processing in a way that feels safe, grounded, and authentic.
Adults might talk while using playdough, drawing, or organizing their thoughts on paper. Children often express their experiences through play or art while the therapist helps put language to what they’re showing or feeling.