La creativity is part of life. As soon as there is a problem to be solved, there is an opportunity to be creative. As therapeutic tool or personal growth, creativity can be an effective way to explore new facets of oneself or to face a critical period in one’s life.

Art therapy is one of the best known “creative” approaches. She uses the visual language instead of verbal language as a mode of expression and to make contact with one’s interiority. Taught at university up to master’s degree and based on the principles of psychology and theArticle, this method makes it possible to establish a link with the unconscious and to free oneself from emotions and experiences that are difficult to verbalize. The approach allows us to get out of the rational, to abandon our usual landmarks and thought patterns and to see life in a new way.

Other artistic techniques use the creativity for therapeutic purposes. Music therapy, dance therapy, singing, drama, etc. are also used in a context of psychotherapy and personal development. We also use laughter and humor¹ in the workplace as a technique to increase creativity and productivity as well as in therapeutic settings to improve the general health of patients. What could be better than a good joke to lighten the atmosphere and get rid of the blockages that prevent good ideas from surfacing!

In its simplest form, one could say that the creativity is the ability to see reality differently. Many researchers are trying to understand the mechanisms by which thought creates new concepts. Even if we are far from a complete understanding, we agree that, in the process of seeking new ideas, thinking generally proceeds in the following way. She would make “leaps” that would lead her to switch from the usual way of thinking and logical to the way of thinking intuitive and imaginary, one who gropes his way and draws his ideas from the unconscious. Integrated in a therapeutic context, it is the same process which operates and which widens the range of available resources.

Until the middle of the XIX^e century, the concept of creativity was not part of scientific thought, which saw the world as a collection of phenomena operating in a well-defined logical order. It was not until the 1930s that we began to look at the concept of creative thinking. In this regard, the findings of neurophysiologist Roger W. Sperry² (1913-1994) on the dual nature of brain function (left hemisphere rational and right hemisphere creative) have completely changed our understanding of human thought.

Several theorists have developed techniques of creativity, notably the British researcher Edward de Bono³, best known for his brainstorming technique (brainstorming). Whether in art, therapy or business, creativity allows you to broaden your field of perception and action using so-called lateral thinking.

The domain of psychology also questioned creative thinking seeking to determine if it was a skill innate ou acquired. Who has not once heard this assertion that creativity was only reserved for certain elected officials? Well, it is not! According to educator Victor Lowenfeld, who is interested in artistic development in children, the creative potential simply requires, in order to flourish, to be put into practice. practice. Likewise, the British psychoanalyst and pediatrician DW Winnicott⁴ (1896-1971) claims that the creative play is essential for the development of the child. He would be the intermediary through which the child can express himself and free himself from the anxieties he experiences in front of the external reality.

Although the creativity remains a difficult concept to pin down, experts agree that the process is not the result of chance, but that of sustained work. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi⁵, author and professor of psychology at the University of Chicago, also known for his research in creativity, claims that genius does not exist in itself. He says creativity comes from hard work that takes time, knowledge and enough passion to investing thoroughly in his research activity. Transposed into a therapeutic context, engaging in a sustained creative activity can also bear fruit and give rise to a real transformations outside

La creativity proves to be an effective intervention tool in psychotherapy. One of the most well-known approaches is arguably art therapy. Other artistic techniques are also used in therapeutic settings: music therapy, percussion therapy, dance therapy, therapydramatic Arts, etc.

In general, art therapies are intended for anyone who wishes to undertake a process of psychotherapy or personal growth by favoring others. modes d’expression than verbal and rational language. These are dynamic approaches that promoteassertiveness and which can provide a feeling of well-being, D ‘autonomy and liberté.

They have demonstrated positive effects on the psychological and physiological health of people who have experienced trauma significant (sexual abuse, physical violence, etc.), struggling with relationship difficulties, depression, personality disorders (psychosis, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders), eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, etc.

Several studies report its benefits, in particular, on the health and development ofchild^{3, 6-8}, people with Alzheimer’s disease⁹, of patients in phase terminal^10,11 as well as in psychiatric treatment^12-14 , especially in subjects showing a tendency to self-destruct.

A study of patients in palliative care has shown that music therapy can reduce pain¹⁵. Another demonstrated that dramatic expression promotes healing in patients with neurological trauma¹⁶.

Recently, interventions, carried out by nurses trained in the artistic techniques of creativity for therapeutic purposes, have been implanted in different hospital settings¹⁷. In 2008, a small exploratory clinical study evaluated the effect of creativity in cancer patients¹⁸. After the study, participants reported being able to better manage their emotions and perceived a better quality of life.

Art therapy has also been used with people elderly^19-21 . Creativity interventions have shown positive effects on Mental Health and the physiology of the elderly. In addition, these activities would stimulate people with dementia²¹.

Therapies and workshops in creativity take place in a wide variety of contexts, including in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, rehabilitation centers for alcoholics and drug addicts, centers for young offenders as well as in schools and corrections, in residences for the elderly and in private practice.

The therapist generally uses artistic processes to get the subject to express what he is feeling and to become aware ofhidden aspects of his personality. Then he accompanies his client in a process of change or transformations, where creativity can once again be harnessed.

Multiple workshops where the creativity prominent figures are offered by teachers, art therapists, professional artists and psychologists. These workshops are typically offered at growth centers, community centers, and institutions offering training in art therapy.

If you are taking a creative step in a psychotherapeutic context, make sure of the competence and experience of the speaker in this matter. He should not only be an artist capable of bringing out your deep creative potential. It also owes you to accompany and you guides, so that you can manage and build on what comes your way, otherwise the experience could be more destabilizing than constructive.

Although various disciplines are inspired by creativity techniques in their interventions, there is no specific training in “therapeutic creativity”.

There are thousands of books on the subject, here are a few.

Cameron, Julia. The Golden Vein: Harness Your Inner Wealth. Editions du Roseau, Canada, 1996.

Much more than an essay on creativity, the book offers concrete tools to reconnect with the treasures hidden in oneself.

Yellow, Michael J. Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Be Creative and Imaginative. Éditions de l’Homme, Canada, 1999.

Inspired by the work of Leonardo, the author presents the seven essential principles to bring out genius in oneself as well as strategies and exercises to achieve it. A dynamic approach to learning creativity!

Edwards, Betty. Vision, drawing, creativity. Pierre Mardaga editor, Belgium, 1986.

The author discusses the role of visual language in the creative process. An amazing exercise shows that everyone can learn to draw by practicing seeing differently. A source of inspiration and a practical guide.

Association of Art Therapists of Quebec

The basics on practice and training standards; a list of schools in Canada and the United States; the directory of art therapists in Quebec; a bibliography; and links to art therapy associations around the world.

http://aatq.org

Modeling head

A site teeming with activities to develop the creativity of children and from two to 12 years old.

www.teteamodeler.com