Creativity and the Archetype of the Child in Art Therapy
It’s a common experience to have creative blocks or experience anxiety when trying to make art. Playfulness is the way to work through it though. This relates to the archetype of creativity and the eternal child. So, today’s blog will address how I work with art therapy to overcome creative blocks. Last night I was thinking about the archetype of creativity before I went to bed. The really cool thing about the last few decades is technology being used for neurological data related to theories that had to be based on observation and deduction a century ago.Art Therapy, Depression, and Neurogenesis
One of the things we’re finding is that when we have to think creatively, new neuro-pathways are formed in our brains. It’s called neurogenesis. Here’s a video about neurogensis if you’re interested in the concept. It’s why when someone who is depressed, does art therapy, they start to have ideas and have more energy. Therefore, art therapy works synergistically with other modalities such as pharmacology to help jumpstart the process of depression recovery as well as art therapy to overcome creative blocks specifically.
From a Jungian perspective, depression has a positive side as well. Thomas Moore, in his book Care of the Soul, talks about how the process of depression causes a person to turn inward, review their past, and contemplate changes for the future. This Jungian Life Podcast also explores the idea of creative depression and how sometimes fallow periods are necessary rest for creative germination.
Engaging with Playfulness and the Eternal Child Archetype
Creative thought also engages with experimenting and playfulness. It’s how we learn skills as children. (see Piaget) Carl Jung would connect this to the archetype of the eternal child. The newness and playfulness is connected creative engagement. I find this exciting!
Flow and the Spirit of Creativity
So my own art engagement, my main goal is to engage with the spirit of creativity. I want to get into what research psychologist Csikszentmihalyi calls flow.
The Importance of Flow for Overcoming Creative Blocks
And here’s my main point. If you are not getting into a state of flow and and a sense of concentrated play when you’re engaging in creativity, then you are mainly interacting with your anxiety.
Overcoming Anxiety and Creative Blocks
The good news is that anxiety can be treated, worked through, and healed. Blocks and fear don’t have to confine or define you. Finally, if you’re experiencing this in your art making, you are probably experiencing this in other parts of your life and you may be less conscious of it.
Art Therapy for Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, and Creative Blocks
I work with both untrained artists who are newbies to art making as well as formally-trained fine artists using Art Therapy to overcome creative blocks and work through anxiety, trauma, and depression. I also specialize in cPTSD and complicated grief. Dream interpretation, or dream analysis and art therapy work well together to resolve old patterns that are getting in the way of you living better. If you’re ready to break through those creative blocks, anxiety, work through trauma, or move through complicated grief, I’m ready to take that journey with you. Schedule a free online consultation with me to discuss how art therapy and dream interpretation can benefit you.