Introduction to Mindful Creations: Incorporating Mindfulness in Creative Therapy

Natalia Gómez-Carlier

The Centre for Creative Therapeutic Practice is honoured to partner with Natalia Gómez-Carlier to bring you this innovative CPD course for those looking to incorporate mindfulness and yoga techniques into their practice. As an Art Therapist, Psychologist and yogi master, Natalia is uniquely placed to support practitioners to effectively blend and maximize their skills to support clients holistically. 

Mindful Creations: the Intersection of Mindfulness and Creative Practice

The sensory nature of the art materials invites us immediately into the present, into the now. We live in a fast-paced, overwhelming world where finding balance and inner peace is essential. Mindfulness practices have been shown to offer incredible benefits in reducing stress and anxiety and helping us connect with ourselves and with deeper truths. Art therapy provides us with a framework to use art as a tool for self-discovery and emotional healing. Combining art therapy and mindfulness develops skills to navigate the complexity of life through simple, practical, in-the-moment art practices.

Mindfulness is one of those words that has started to pop into our awareness, but how well do we understand this concept? In this course, we will take the time to understand mindfulness from a practical embodied position. We will learn and practice being present in the moment without judgment. We will pay attention to our feelings, sensations, and thoughts and look for a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and even the wider world. Cultivating mindfulness helps us become more present and aware and less impulsive and reactive. After we practice these skills, we can teach them to the people we work with.

The art process naturally helps us learn how to focus and establish a non-judgmental presence. We will ground ourselves in the present moment and learn to observe and manage the noise in our minds. Grounding ourselves in the present through artmaking relieves anxiety and connects us with the joy of being alive. Transformation comes from being present and accepting the here and now. However, we are so often in our heads that becoming mindful needs practice. These practices will help you personally and professionally harness the synergy of art therapy and mindfulness one brush stroke at a time. 

More details about this course can be found here or by emailing hello@tcctp.org.

We are offering 15% off all courses booked in the month of March.

We look forward to welcoming  you.

Unlocking Potential: Level 6 Diploma in Creative Therapeutic Practice with Children and Young People Accredited by CPCAB

Childcare and education settings have immense potential to positively impact children’s mental health and wellbeing at Tier 2 through creative therapeutic support. However, this potential remains largely untapped due to significant barriers to accessible and affordable online training in creative therapeutic practice. In our work, we encounter many talented practitioners who are deeply passionate about helping children but face obstacles such as financial constraints, geographical limitations, or caregiving responsibilities that prevent them from pursuing specialised training.

Meanwhile, the rising demand for mental health support and growing waiting lists mean that countless children and young people (CYP) are unable to access timely, creative therapeutic interventions at Tier 2, often leading to a worsening of their issues.

To address these dual challenges, we’ve developed an innovative course with a twofold mission:

1. Enabling more children to access effective creative therapeutic support at Tier 2 as step up or step down from CAMHS, psychological support or other tier 3 therapies

2. Providing accredited, online, and affordable creative therapy training for suitable practitioners.

This course bridges the gap between aspiration and accessibility. Drawing on the established professions of Art Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapies, Psychotherapy, and Counselling, it offers a robust evidence-informed  framework that is both theoretical and practical. While it is most closely aligned with art therapy, it utilises creative visual art media as the primary mode of communication.

At its core, Creative Therapeutic Practice (CTP) harnesses the power of visual and creative media to support and enhance the emotional and mental wellbeing of children and young people. Under skilled  supervision, the course trains practitioners to guide CYP in expressing their thoughts and feelings through creative means, providing a safe outlet for their emotions and fostering emotional literacy.

Under professional supervision from carefully selected and highly experienced Art Therapists, learners can begin applying their knowledge in year 2  of the programme. This supervision enables them to safely and effectively  support the children and young people in their existing workplace or placement as part of their studies. Supervised application of learning addresses a pressing need: the growing number of children and young people experiencing emotional and mental health challenges, exacerbated by the global pandemic. By equipping practitioners with these essential skills, the course  empowers learners to make a tangible difference in schools and childcare settings.

What the Course Is and Isn’t

It is important to clarify that while this course is closely aligned with Art Therapy, it does not qualify learners as Art Therapists. Art Therapy is a statutorily regulated profession in the United Kingdom, and only those qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) may legally describe themselves as Art Therapists or Art Psychotherapists. These titles are protected by law and reflect a specific level of training and practice.

However, this course offers a unique and valuable pathway for those seeking to make a meaningful impact without pursuing the full Art Therapy qualification. It provides a solid foundation for using creative therapeutic practice ethically and effectively, opening doors for practitioners to enhance and utilise their skills.

The urgency of the mental health crisis among children and young people cannot be overstated. Long waiting lists and limited resources have left too many without the support they need. At the same time, the demand for accessible, affordable training opportunities has never been higher. This course is our response to these challenges — a way to empower both practitioners and the children they support.

By removing barriers to training and equipping practitioners with the tools they need, we can unlock the potential of a workforce ready to make a difference. And by doing so, we can ensure that more children and young people have access to the creative therapeutic interventions they so desperately need.

Our course is targeted to  those who wish to further enhance their creative therapeutic practice skills to support children and young people’s mental health and  is suitable for Therapists, Teachers, Learning Support Assistants, SENCOS, Nursery Workers, Social Workers, Counsellors  etc.  Other suitably qualified or experienced adults  can apply to join the course and will be considered on a case-by-case basis if assessed to have equitable experience.

 More details about this course can be found here or by emailing hello@tcctp.org.

We are offering 10% off all courses booked in the month of January.

We look forward to welcoming  you.

Child Development and its significance in Creative Therapeutic Practice.

The Centre for Creative Therapeutic Practice

Understanding the intricacy of child development  from in utero and beyond, provides invaluable insights and information to support therapists to more effectively target their interventions.  We invite you to enhance your skills through this scientifically  informed course, designed for therapists and related professionals.  Adopting a biopsychosocial perspective and referencing attachment theory,  we provide an in-depth exploration of neuro, sensory and motor development from the prenatal stage onward, equipping  practitioners with the knowledge to support the children and young people they serve.

As therapists, understanding child development from the prenatal stage through to adolescence and early adulthood is crucial to co creating effective goals in therapy. This foundational knowledge allows practitioners to tailor therapeutic approaches, and foster growth at every stage of a child’s journey.

Scientific research informs us that a child's development starts way before birth, with the prenatal environment significantly influencing their physical, emotional, sensory, motor, and cognitive development. Factors such as stress, nutrition, and maternal health during pregnancy can affect brain development and temperament. Therapists can gain valuable insights by recognising how early experiences, including those in utero, shape a child's personality, sense of security, and ability to regulate emotions. Additionally, we now know that development can be influenced by epigenetics, which can be scientifically traced back for at least three generations.

Each stage of development presents unique milestones in areas such as emotional regulation, social skills, and cognitive abilities. For instance, a toddler exploring autonomy differs from a teenager grappling with identity,  however, this can be helpfully linked through having knowledge of these milestones,  enabling therapists to design developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions through carefully incorporating  sensory motor activities with expressive arts that resonate and support the client’s developmental needs.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or unresolved developmental trauma can have significant impacts throughout life, influencing behaviour, relationships, and mental health. Therapists can use this increased understanding to help clients reframe and process early experiences through creative mediums.

In depth knowledge of  the stages of development enables  therapists to see their clients holistically, building a deep understanding of the interplay between biology, environment, and personal experiences, enabling therapists to connect effectively, safely and knowledgeably.

For therapists, understanding child development from in utero through to young adulthood isn’t just academic; it’s transformative. This knowledge serves as a map, guiding therapeutic practice and ensuring that each intervention is rooted in the client’s unique developmental journey. By embracing this perspective, creative therapists can meaningfully and competently support growth across all ages and stages of life.

We look forward to welcoming  you.

More details about this course can be found here.  

We are offering 15% off all courses booked in the month of March.