Mental Health and Creativity

Mental Health and Creativity have a link. A link we all know about, with a duality I became  interested early on, as a psychology student. Most of us are familiar with creative genius and  psychosis. We have also mostly become familiar with the healing power of the arts, as seen in the many Creative Therapies, like Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Drama Therapy. What, then,  is the true relationship, between Creativity, and Mental Health? 

The First Step is your Creative Personality

I have a three-part Healing Philosophy for Creative People, and the first part of this philosophy  is getting to know and understand your Creative Personality. This is so crucial to acknowledge  that Creative People have distinct features, qualities, needs, and strengths. As you begin to  become an expert on your Creative Personality, the natural next step is to understand how to  take care of yourself as a Creative Person well, and this link between your Creative Personality  and Mental Health.  

The Second Step to my 3 Part Healing Philosophy

​The Second Step to my 3 Part Healing Philosophy is digging into this apparent- on the surface,  anyway- dual relationship with creativity and mental health. How can creativity be both so good  for your mental health, and so damaging? In a way, this is reversing the cause and effect. As  you understand the strengths and needs of yourself as a Creative Person, it will become  increasingly clear to you that many of your mental health difficulties and life struggles stem from unmet creative needs. 

Creativity, Unexpressed

​When you are unaware of the specific needs of your creative personality, for example, the need  to live authentically, you may be unaware that you are living in a lifestyle that is thwarting your  ability to live well. You are not able to express yourself Creatively fully, and find yourself feeling  depressed, numb, or anxious. Without knowing this etiology, treating only symptoms, such as  anxiety, can bring temporary, if any relief.  

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Creativity in the Mental Health System

The Mental Health System is not set up to support Creative People. While there is research in  psychology establishing Creative Personality traits, for example, there are no established  treatment protocols, diagnoses, or symptom presentations recorded for reference to help  Creative People understand their experiences. Most Creative People that present to the mental  health system, find, again, temporary symptom relief, with no lasting change to underlying  problems. 

A Regular Practice of Creativity

​As a Creative Person, studying psychology, working in psychology, and doing my own research in psychology, while also working as an artist, studying art, researching art, and regularly making  my own art, I made an important discovery about wellness for creative people. There is one  fundamental thing Creative People can do for their overall wellness and stability. And this is the third, perhaps most important step, in my healing philosophy for creative people. And that is- establishing a regular practice of Creativity in their lives. Modern times present unique  challenges and difficulties for artists to make their lives and minds accommodate creativity- but  I maintain it is the single, most important thing Creative People can do for health and success.  

What You Can Do to Support Your Creativity and Mental Health

Creativity Coaching and Creativity Counseling are established by Creative People, for Creative People. Taking the research available in psychology and coaching, and the support and expertise from one another in the arts, this is an area of passion for helping Creative People on the forefront of helping. If you are a Creative Person, looking for lasting change in your life, here  are three steps you can take, today:  
1) Join my Artists in Residency Program.  This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where  you can build support, accountability and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self. 
2) Book a Free Consultation.  All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem  solve and hand-pick the best next steps to help you succeed. 
3) Book a Coaching Package. 

Are You a Working Creative in Need of Specific Support?

I offer a range of Coaching Packages and options for Creative People. Let's find the one that is right for you.
1) Join my Artists in Residency Program. This is a Free, Online Community of Artists where  you can build support, accountability, and a network of Creative People as a stepping stone  towards reconnecting and committing to your authentic, creative self.  
2) Book a Free Consultation. All new clients to Creatively, LLC are entitled to a 15 min, free  consultation to sit with me and discuss your needs, services available, and we can problem  solve and hand-pick the best next steps to help you succeed. 
3) Book a Coaching Package. 

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​ More Articles for Creative People

A Creative Personality Snapshot, From One Creative to Another, Finding your Creative Balance, 2 Fundamentals for HSPs, Dream Theory for Creative People, Launch Creatively Into Spring, Creative People

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