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Resources

"I am not creative"

02/07/2025

How often I hear this statement: "I am not creative, I don't know how to create." We seem to have stigmatised the term "creative" with the suggestion that it must include arts and craft materials, that we must be able to paint or draw, and create something that is considered art or art-worthy. People will describe themselves as either creative or analytical, sometimes with a sense of pride, other times with judgment. Why do these two ways of thinking have to be separate, one or the other, left brain or right brain?

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As a creative therapist, I am confronted with this statement often. People express interest in attending sessions; however, this fear of creating is what keeps them from participating, especially adult participants. There's this pervasive idea that creative therapy is predominantly a children's intervention because it has the word 'arts' in it, and arts automatically means creative in the traditional sense.

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I have a mentor who is a creative therapist and wellbeing speaker known across many industries, who openly admits to not being able to draw more than a stick figure. Yet she travels the country talking about the importance of wellbeing through creative strategies, confidently utilising art materials in her workshops. Her impact isn't diminished by her artistic ability, if anything, it demonstrates that creativity transcends traditional artistic skill.

This disconnect reveals a fundamental misunderstanding about what creativity actually means. The research is clear: creativity extends far beyond the arts into virtually every human endeavour.

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So what is creativity?

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Robert E. Franken (1994) defines creativity as "the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others." Steve Jobs suggested that "creativity is just connecting things," while Albert Einstein famously said "creativity is intelligence having fun." Notice that none of these definitions mention art, drawing, or traditional creative mediums.

The reality is that art represents just one small slice of the creativity spectrum. Research shows that humans display creativity "in a broad range of activities, with art being only one." Creativity manifests in business through innovative problem-solving and strategic thinking, in science through groundbreaking discoveries and experimental design, in engineering through elegant solutions to complex problems, and even in everyday activities like cooking, where we experiment with ingredients to create something new.

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The workplace creativity myth

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In professional settings, this myth becomes particularly damaging. Teams dismiss their brainstorming sessions, strategic planning, and innovative problem-solving as "just work" rather than recognising these as creative acts. Marketing professionals who develop campaigns, managers who find novel solutions to staff challenges, and analysts who discover patterns in data are all engaging in highly creative work - yet many wouldn't identify themselves as creative people.

 

Why does this myth persist?

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The confusion stems from both historical and psychological factors. Historically, our understanding of human creativity is surprisingly recent. In ancient Greece, most art was viewed as rule-bound technique, while medieval Christianity reserved "creation" solely for God's divine acts. Only during the 18th-century Enlightenment did creativity emerge as an individual human capacity.

Research reveals persistent, widespread biases in public conception of creativity, with stronger belief in creativity myths linked to lower education and reliance on unreliable sources. This leads to "magical thinking" where people attribute creative success to luck rather than understanding the actual processes involved. Since our modern interpretation of creativity as individual expression is only about 250 years old, we're still collectively learning what creativity encompasses.

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The truth about everyday creativity

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In our daily lives, creativity centres around original thought and knowledge, supporting idea generation and innovation. Without creativity, we wouldn't have problem-solving abilities, strategic thinking, or the capacity to adapt to new situations. Every time you find a workaround for a technical problem, develop a more efficient process, or come up with a unique solution to a challenge, you're being creative.

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The goal isn't to convince everyone they're secretly artists,  it's to help people recognise and value the creative thinking they already possess, and to understand that this capacity can be developed and strengthened regardless of artistic ability.

 

If you want to support creative thinking or generate a creative workplace, CLICK HERE.​​​​​

Beyond Isolation: The Feeling of Being Seen

08/06/2025
 

I have recently started supporting an RSL group for current and ex-serving service people and their immediate family members. This is a new space for me, as I have not previously worked with veterans, but I bring experience supporting people who have experienced C-PTSD, trauma, family violence, and homelessness. After speaking with the group leaders over the phone and online, we finalised the start date, which was last week.

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The group arrived with enthusiasm and curiosity. Although they are all part of the same RSL, not everyone had properly met before. Still, they approached each other with the familiarity of old friends. Watching the group interact and openly participate in an activity that some found outside their comfort zone was an honour. Bound by shared experience, I observed the group come together with kindness, empathy, and the motivational chants of a cheer squad.

This made me reflect on the idea of community and the strength of shared experience. I’ve been speaking with friends who are struggling to find that elusive sense of “fitting in”. They have interests and passions, but finding a community that feels accessible and welcoming can be challenging.

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So, what can being part of a community bring us?  Reduced social isolation, validation and normalisation of shared experiences or interests, skill development, emotional support and encouragement, increased motivation and engagement, and empowerment.

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As people work longer hours, live alone, or face challenges that can leave them feeling isolated, community brings that beautiful sense of belonging that we all need from time to time.

If you’re looking to strengthen the sense of community within your workplace, social group or community centre, please CLICK HERE.

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Workplace Burnout: What It Is and Why It Matters in 2025

14/04/2025
 

We’re only a quarter into 2025, and workplace burnout is already making headlines. A recent report shows that 40% of Australian workers are experiencing burnout, with two in five starting the year already feeling its effects. Gen Z and Millennials are particularly impacted, with the highest rates of mild to extreme burnout.

What’s Causing Burnout?

Modern life is a juggling act. Burnout often stems from the ongoing challenge of trying to “do it all”, including:

  • Raising children or caring for extended family

  • Coping with rising mortgage rates and living costs

  • Maintaining a social life and personal wellbeing, and

  • Meeting relentless work expectations: deadlines, travel, overtime, and career growth pressure

Just reading that list can feel overwhelming.

The Cost of Burnout to Employers

Burnout doesn’t just hurt individuals, it impacts businesses too. The consequences include:

  • Increased absenteeism

  • Lower productivity and engagement, and

  • Higher staff turnover,

Replacing an employee can cost 30% to 150% of their annual salary, not to mention the disruption to team morale and culture.

The Impact on Employees

For employees, burnout can be deeply personal and expensive. It may lead to:

  • Lost income, affecting groceries, bills, and social activities

  • Mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion, and

  • Physical symptoms, including insomnia, immune suppression, chronic stress, and weight changes.

Burnout isn’t “just stress", it’s a long-term health issue that needs real solutions.

How Arts Therapy Can Help

Arts Therapy offers a creative, effective approach to preventing and recovering from burnout. It can help individuals:

  • Recognise and understand burnout

  • Learn to set healthy boundaries

  • Develop tools to manage workload and stress, and

  • Reconnect with themselves through creative self-expression.

These strategies support emotional resilience and help bring balance back to the workplace.

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CLICK HERE to explore how you can reduce burnout in your workplace.
Let’s create healthier, more sustainable work environments together.

The power of ART in your business

26/02/2025
 
Art-making is a game changer for business. Beyond boosting creativity and mindfulness of your employees, art can transform business culture, positioning and identity. Whether you're creating art or simply engaging with it, the benefits are profound. And the best part, you don't need to be an artist, just curious and open to exploration.
 
Art has many benefits in the business, it can influence  many things from workplace culture to branding and customer/ consumer engagement.  Included in these benefits are enhancing creativity and innovation through out of the box thinking and innovative problem solving.  Storytelling and brand identity with an influence of art can support story telling, which can be used in marketing and advertising to set a company apart.  Art can enhance a customer/ consumer experience , leaving a more inviting, immersive experience.  It can also build stronger ties with the community, celebrating local culture, and therefore enhancing reputation. 
 
Incorporating art into a business strategy not only enhances aesthetics but also contributes significantly to employee satisfaction, customer loyalty, and long-term success.

Are you ready to transform your business? CLICK HERE to explore the opportunities art-making can bring to your business.

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Unlock the Potential of your Team

28/01/2025

Businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance employee well-being and foster a positive work environment. Creative Arts Therapy utilises activities that can transform a workplace to establish collaborative team building, improved communication, innovative thinking and seeking new perspectives.

An investment in Creative Arts Therapy is not just about the employee, it is a strategic approach to enhance overall business performance. By prioritising employees wellbeing, employers can create workplaces that thrive; benefitting both business and employees.

Workplace stress is a common challenge that can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Engaging in artistic activities promotes relaxation and mindfulness, helping employees manage stress, contributing to a harmonious work environment. It offers a safe, constructive and non-verbal medium for employees to express and process complex emotions and leads to improved emotional resilience and self-awareness.

The creative process nurtures innovation and creativity, enabling employees to explore new perspectives. This can uncover hidden talents, inspire innovative ideas, and foster a culture of creativity that can give your business a competitive edge. By providing an alternative means of expression, employees can convey thoughts and emotions more freely, leading to better understanding and collaboration within teams. The sense of accomplishment that comes from creating something unique can empower individuals and teams, contributing to employees’ personal and professional growth. Higher self-esteem will lead to increased motivation and productivity, benefiting the entire organisation.

Introducing interactive and collaborative art therapy to your workplace will create a supportive and dynamic work environment that nurtures individual and business growth. Creative Arts Therapy workshops bring an element of enjoyment to a serious topic whilst still achieving necessary outcomes.

 CLICK HERE  to start the transformation and take steps towards achieving long-term success and sustainability.

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