Creative Psychotherapy

Overview

Course participants will experience the making of creative work as a way of exploring, and connecting with their subconscious. Creativity is used as a tool for understanding the self and the social environment.

The methodology of the Creative Psychotherapy course of Tallinn University takes into consideration the individual’s ability and willingness to explore at one’s own pace and style in a setting where confidentiality is respected and where it is safe to express both ideas and emotions.

CP is a therapeutic method that utilises creativity as its core part in treating mental health dysfunctions. CP is a process, where a relationship is formed between the psychotherapist, the client and the creative work providing a safe framework for the inner self to unfold, heal and flourish.

Psychotherapy stemming from psychology is a very young discipline formed tentatively over millennia. The inner aspects of our being have been defined in antiquity as the Psyche, the Spirit (Pneuma) and the Mind (Nous), in describing something manifested only in our behaviour. Healing of the Psyche existed as support from family, friends and guidance by spiritual or religius leaders of our communities.

In the 9th century AD Rhazes applied a psychological approach in the Middle East. In Europe, mental health pathologies were viewed as effects of demonic intervention and punishment or exorcism was prescribed. Only after the Enlightenment medicine is ready for the ‘talking cure’ as coined and practiced by Josef Breuer in 1881. Developed by his protégé Sigmund Freud to become psychoanalysis, and later on psychotherapies, and councelling.

Arts/creative psychotherapies started by artists working with people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other severe mental health problems in institutions during the post II world war era. Creativity in psychotherapy is directed in enabling subconscious mechanisms to surface raising self-awareness and enhance quality of life. The process though of art making has its own healing properties integrated in the practice.

Why this course?

• Participants will learn to use creative-work as a tool for communication and exploration of the subconscious.

• Participants will  develop a better understanding of the self and the social environment.

• Course methodology respects the individual’s ability and willingness to explore at one’s own pace in a confidential setting where it is safe to express both ideas and emotions.