Creative Counselling - Ideas and Tools

[Marlene]

Hi everyone. I am interested in the creative methods that other counsellors use and what tools you use. I like using Russian Dolls to help clients consider the different parts of themselves and how much time and effort they give to each part. For themselves its often the tiniest doll in the middle!

I have set up a site on which I intend to add a page - to post interesting methods and tools for us all to share our ideas.
I also put an Amazon "Counselling Tools" store on there as I find it quite time consuming searching around trying to find the things I need! I thought this may be helpful to other counsellors as well

If you would like to share your ideas, can you click on the link below and send me a message through the site - I would really appreciate it.:thanks:

http://www.npcounselling.co.uk/counselling-tools/counselling-tools.htm
scuse the long winded link - yet to sort that one out!

Best Wishes To you All
Marléne

[Jenny]

Hi Marlene

I'm not a counsellor or anything however I have been in counselling.. my counsellor never used a Russian doll but can see how that could be insightful (not sure that's a word?). My ex counsellor did have a big box of teddies and things which was nice.. one day she asked me to pick one out then we talked about what made me pick that one. Was quite interesting really.

Towards the beginning of my therapy with her she also asked me to draw a picture of myself as a child, using my left hand. That was quite interesting too as we could then talk about it.. she only did that at the beginning of our relationship though, luckily :D

Actually one day I remember talking about something that was really weighing me down and she produced this box of what I can only describe as fancy dress items. She then asked me to put as many items on as I possibly could.. i put on loads (felt a little stupid but hey ho).. then she asked me to throw them off me. It may sound a little strange as you weren't there, but it had a deep effect on me as I could feel the weight being lifted from my shoulders and whole body.

Anyway, your site looks good.. sounds like a good idea to have created the tools site as maybe other counsellors are wondering what tools they could use too. Have you considered things such as playdough?

Good to have you here :)
Jenny x

[Marlene]

Hi Jenny I love the idea of the dressing up and then shedding the layers. Do you mind if I post it on my creative ideas page?

Also I want to remind all counsellors that have websites that I will happily add their link if they want. Free of course.

Actually now I come to think of it I shall add a link to this forum too if you would like me too?

Bfn
Marléne

[Jenny]

Hiya

I don't mind you adding the clothes thing at all.. and it would be great if you could add a link to this forum too :)

Hope you are ok
jenny x

[thinktherapy]

Hi Marléne

Some of my work is in schools so I use a lot of creativity, toys, animals, sand tray, art etc.

I also use this with some of my clients. An exercise I have found powerful is getting a client to draw a tree with roots. After it is drawn they write on the roots first, then the trunk, then the branches/leaves.

On the roots they write what makes them grounded (i.e. language, nationality etc)
On the trunk they write about identity (i.e. family, music, work, hobbies etc)

On the branches/leaves they write about what they want, dream of, desire. its does not have to be a logical want or desire. The idea is that it can be very empowering for some clients to write down these thoughts.

kind regards
Keith

PS: I will send you a PM about adding a link :)

[Marlene]

Thank you Keith I have posted your creative methods onto the site. I have also posted your website link.
I am just in the process of upgrading the site and will post a message here when it is completed.

Best regards
Marléne

[Hopeful]

As a newbie here (and only a level 3 student) I find this thread really interesting. Thank you.

[thinktherapy]

Thank you Keith I have posted your creative methods onto the site. I have also posted your website link.
I am just in the process of upgrading the site and will post a message here when it is completed.

Best regards
Marléne

Many thanks Marléne, I'm also in the middle of an upgrade myself and I plan to add a links page when i can.

kind regards

Keith