Harnessing the Power of Creativity In and Out of the Therapy Room

The Innovative Therapist

Episode 123. Today’s solo episode is all about my thoughts about Creativity. I’ve been thinking about this topic a LOT lately. And it’s been incredibly fun.

I read this book recently and already am re-listening to it. It’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert and I’ve found it really inspiring. I have really been slowing down to think about how I can add creativity into my personal and professional life and how others can do the same.

So this podcast episode is all about my thoughts on creativity, including how I’ve evolved to use creativity as a psychologist and also in my personal life. I can’t wait to share it with you!

Words of Wisdom

Quote from Elizabeth Gilbert:

“You’re not required to save the world with your creativity. Your art not only doesn’t have to be original, in other words, it also doesn’t have to be important. For example, whenever anyone tells me that they want to write a book in order to help other people I always think ‘Oh, please don’t.”

Do it for Yourself?

That quote actually really makes me laugh out loud.

So much of what I’ve learned in the online marketing world is about knowing your audience and speaking to their pain points.

In my training as a psychologist, I was taught to always focus on the other person and their needs, helping them to conceptualize their struggles, and from there, give suggestions to help.

None of these suggestions are bad, and yet, none of them teach us how to listen to our own bodies as we are marketing or delivering therapy.

And the more I do both of those things, the more I think that’s actually the most essential skill to learn…

“I’m not a creative person.”

I’ve said this so many times. I still sometimes say it.

But now at least I’m catching myself.

We all have creativity in us. It maybe got shoved down, but it’s there. And re-engaging with it can be deeply healing.

In IFS it is said that when we can notice and get space and separation from our Parts, the 8 C qualities of self emerge: Creativity, Curiosity, Connection, Courage, Calm, Clarity, Compassion, and Confidence.

There are also 5 P words that can emerge, including, Presence, Persistence, Perspective, Playfulness, Patience.

Play and creativity are essential for how kids learn and I for one am excited to continue to rediscover this as an adult.

Why We Should Care About Creativity

“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner – continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you – is a fine art, in and of itself.”

-Elizabeth Gilbert

I’ll be perfectly honest, I want to convince you that creativity is important.

I went online and started searching in Google Scholar. There are definitely some articles to support this. Liz Gilbert’s book has more ideas on this.

I come from a heavily science and math focused background. My dad was an engineer, and my mom taught math, and later computers, and then taught technology to other teachers.

I can’t say that I grew up truly understanding the immense value of creative works. When I did art at school, perfectionism was majorly on the scene. If it wasn’t perfect, I’d freak out (internally or externally, depending on my age).

Dancing as Creativity

My main exposure to the arts and creative expression was the fact that I danced from age 8 to 18, and the again for a few years in college on a college Pompon team.

I witnessed creativity, but I never felt creative. I struggled with choreography. I would just put together tricks I already knew, do a double turn into an axel jump, then jump forward and do a kick and a leap.

Ways I Engage in Creativity Today

1. Podcasting
2. Blogging
3. Thinking of new ways to engage clients and therapists in innovative ways to heal themselves (while, creatively, healing myself too – see what I did there?)
4. Tap dancing (started as an adult 3 years ago)
5. Dance parties with my kids
6. Neighborhood book club where I read books I wouldn’t normally read and discuss them as a group

Ways to Engage Creativity In Psychotherapy (as a therapist or a client)

1. Learn a new modality (e.g., really into ACT? Try IFS! Or other somatic based approaches)
2. Find a few person who teaches the same modality differently. Example, I found CBT pretty bland and non-relatable in grad school, but when my parent coach teaches CBT type skills, it clicks and I see more of the value. Ask around to friends on who they learn about a certain topic from and explore this.
3. Dive into a new topic area. Always wanted to learn about neurodivergence and how to make therapy more effective for various types of brains? What about sexual health and therapy (listen to my convo with Sharon Depcinski on this topic here), how do your incorporate that? How about exploring a deeply important (though admittedly intense) topic like decolonizing of therapy learning and how that’s impacted you (and how you might want to think differently now.
4. Incorporate art, music, or movement into the therapy room. I’ve been seeing more and more therapists do this. Obviously be aware of what training you need for this, but I definitely could see this be incredibly healing.

Note: If you are like me, you might have a Part of you that gets overwhelmed by all of this, especially if you have a part of you that wants to be the perfect and best therapist for everyone all the time. That part of you means well. And also, you bring tremendous healing and value already. So maybe we can appreciate that part for what it’s trying to do for you, and just know that you can choose 1 small area and that’s great. Or skip this whole section and just explore creativity outside of the therapy room!

Ways to Engage Creativity Outside of the Therapy Room

1. Learn a new skill (especially one that has no secondary gain or value). I struggle with this! I have many creative hobbies I’ve explored where there’s a secondary gain (I can show off my tap dancing skills, I can speak Spanish while traveling, I can sell these painted sports logos on Etsy! lol). And that’s fine, but what about things you can do just for yourself. I read the book 4000 Weeks and the author talked to someone who had a hobby of creating a world with model trains. He couldn’t be “good” at it, he just did it for the love of it. For those of us who notice we are doing everything for secondary gain and/or accolades, this is something to consider for sure.
2. Find a community where they are doing creative things and join in on what sounds fun. I love Meetup.com and have been using it for many years.
3. Take a dance class.
4. Take an art class (in person or online)
5. Do a music challenge with a friend! (here is one example of some prompts, but they are everywhere on the internet, just search Music Challenge). My good friend Darius Randall and I are currently doing this for a second round as I record this, and I can’t tell you how much more creative at work I’ve felt because I don’t necessarily pause and listen to music on a regular basis otherwise. As a side note, Darius went into private practice recently and is an excellent therapist, would be a good fit for professionals, especially healthcare workers. If you are in the state of Michigan, check out his website at FreshSands.com here. This is actually part of the reason I’ve re-focused on offerings I want to create that harness the power of nature, movement, and/or music. I am most likely going to create some experiences locally in Michigan (Pickerel Lake half day retreat anyone?) and then also online in a way that helps us connect with our bodies, slow down, and engage in creativity and healing.

Wanting more support beyond these podcasts?

• I am currently accepting new therapy clients if you live in one of these 40 states in the US
• My rate for an intake session is $220 and for a 45 minute follow up is $195
• If interested in learning more, including my availability and details about my practice, email me at [e-mail] or call 616-227-0001
• Or if you are a therapist of helping professional looking to connect in community and learn more about or experience the IFS model, get on my email list here and/or email me at [e-mail] to introduce yourself!

Disclaimer: This blog and podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individual professional advice or treatment, including medical or mental health advice. It does not constitute a provider-patient relationship.

Disclosure: Using the Bookshop.org links in this post means that I would get an affiliate fee if you purchase from the online bookshop (this supports my business, and local bookstores too!).