Swimming in Fresh Water: Using Creative Approaches in Psychology and Counselling

The word innovation, the theme of this year’s conference, derives from a series of ancient words meaning ‘fresh’ and ‘new.’ It evokes a sense of discovery, of playfulness, of adventurous spontaneity. Innovation is the act of diving into fresh waters, what the Greeks called neros. To swim in those fresh waters is to engage the authentic creative self, to invite the swirls and eddies of wisdom. Increasingly, therapists and counsellors are turning to creative work as an adjunct to traditional approaches. Creative writing, poetry, music, dance, storytelling, film, ritual — and countless other shapes of craft — are making their way into therapeutic work. Creativity, as many have discovered, is an authentic devotional and healing path. By means of the inquisitive hand, the searching eye, and the mindful heart, creative work directly enhances the journey of self-awareness. When approached with clarity of intention, creativity is the natural prayer of the soul.

This one-day workshop is designed to offer a preliminary, experiential view of integrating creative process into the work of counselling and therapy. We will explore creative exercises, examine various modalities, play with image, sound, and word—and have fun.