The Artist in Therapy

When artists talk about the source of their creativity they often feel it comes from their emotional side. This is especially true regarding the pain that they feel. When they contemplate therapy they can fear they will ‘fix’ themselves; they fear they will lose access to their emotions, and thus their creativity. However, it’s unlikely to work like this.

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Creation and expression

For an artist, creation and expression are all. It is such an important part of them, that they don’t want to contemplate a life without their ability to create art; to not be able to do so would be very difficult for them. It’s natural then for them to fear that starting to resolve issues and improve their life will spell an end to their creativity. It can be easy to be concerned that this will mean that their creative wellspring dries up.

Unresolved conflict

However another way of looking at this is that the aspects of their emotional life that they draw upon may actually be stale, unresolved conflict leading to their emotional life – and their creative life – being stuck. In contrast to their expectations, therapy may contribute to a freeing up of their emotional life providing new material for their creativity to flourish and thrive.

Treated with respect

When you see a psychotherapist, you can expect that your emotional life and your creative life will be treated with respect. You can work together with the therapist to gradually resolve some of the difficulties of the past and make room for new possibilities, while keeping the richness of your emotional life intact.

– Tim Hill

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