14 June 2012
Will I Lose My Creativity If I Seek Therapy?
It may sound like an odd question to some, but for creative people (whether they be those who make all or part of their living plying their trade, or hobbyists) their ability to work in the abstract for prolonged periods and freely associate ideas and concepts, and incorporate these reflections into their work is, well, everything. If it were not for creative individuals’ ability to sculpt with their imaginations, we would have no art, and the world would be a lifeless place as a result, for all involved.
An artist who is concerned about the quality of their life (as opposed to the content) to the extent where they may want to seek the services of a psychotherapist may voice the following concern:
It feels as if some of the unresolved feelings I have are part of my artistic process (if not my art). If I go and explore these feelings, and potentially root out the very thing I’ve been using to help me, will my art suffer? Will I suffer as an artist?
Art-making is an exploration – this applies equally to painters, writers, dancers, sculpters, photographers, you name it. I know this because I’m a writer (novels and short stories) and many of the people I hang around are artists. In the process of making art we fall into a hole and, eventually, we hope to come out of it (or, depending upon your metaphor, through it) with greater awareness, and to ultimately be able to express that to ourselves and others.
But, alas, often times the adage is true: art is tension. Artists wouldn’t be very resourceful if they didn’t use the explored and unexplored terrain of their inner or outer lives for source material. Bad experiences, even traumatic ones, can make good stories. Sad moments can make pretty pictures. So, this is a valid question: can therapy be antithetical to being an active artist?
I can’t provide a general answer to a question which is so situational but, speaking from experience not only as an artist but as someone who, as part of my training as a therapist, spent several years in individual psychotherapy, there is no reason, if our need to explore is genuine, for our motivation and passion as artists to leave us if we come to terms with parts of ourselves that aren’t working. At least as well as we would reasonably accept.
The context and relevance of works of art in-progress to our immediate lives can change, but the need to create itself remains intact. Why should the misery that comes with untreated mental health-related issues be a necessary ingredient in the creative process?
Let me add something else. If you’re in therapy I can guarantee that you will be exploring yourself, and along the way the thoughts and feelings that can organize and even trigger your behaviour. If you happen to live (full- or part-time) a creative life and decide at some point to seek therapy it may be that you have eventually come to a deeper understanding of inspiration, and your relationship with it. In light of all this self-reflection, we can feel unformed and unanalyzed. In other words, psychotherapy is only going to give you more material about your own depth as an individual and the circumstances in which you grew up — whether that’s age 8, 21, or 52 The worst that can happen is that the relevance of that creative inspiration may undergo some change as our perspective changes. Its relevance may be heightened and worthy of further exploration, or some new idea might gain relevance.
There really isn’t a downside, although any form of therapy that’s honest about itself will admit that this is still work. For many it’s a lifetime of work, just as art is.
The important point is this: you don’t lose anything in psychotherapy (at least nothing healthy). Instead, you gain: understanding, self-context, and ultimately outward and inward resilience. The concerns and interests you have as an artist may change in shape and depth, but they never abate. I think psychotherapy is an important way someone can get in touch with themselves and walk out as strong an artist as a person.
If you are interested in learning more about my services, about me, or perhaps booking an appointment, please call me at 416-873-7828 or email me at info@downtowntherapy.ca for more information.
filed under: art• creatitivy• modality• psychotherapy• resilience• self• work
4 June 2012
What If I Don’t Know What’s Wrong With Me?
It’s quite possible to want to see a therapist and yet not exactly know what it is that you really want to talk about: something’s going on, but it isn’t clear enough to say it’s ______.
This may feel odd, because sometimes we feel that we should have “the proper language” for everything. When we don’t have the proper words or phrase (or don’t feel we even understand what it is) it can be frustrating. For some people, not knowing the proper words can be stigmatizing.
As a result, on occasion people wonder if it’s worth it to see a therapist if they can’t name what it is that’s bugging them. Some may be afraid of wasting my time (not to mention theirs).
If you book an initial appointment with a therapist under these conditions, one of the following three things is likely to happen:
If you are interested in learning more about my services, about me, or perhaps booking an appointment, please call me at 416-873-7828 or email me at info@downtowntherapy.ca for more information.
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