Starting Therapy: What to Expect from a Creative Arts Approach
By Creative Arts Connect.
If you’ve never been to therapy before, you might be wondering: What actually happens in a session? Will I have to open up about everything right away? And how is creative arts therapy different from regular talk therapy?
These are completely valid questions—and the honest answer is that therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can look and feel very different depending on the therapist, the approach, and what you’re hoping to get out of it.
At Creative Arts Connect, we help people connect with certified creative arts therapists who support healing through expressive approaches, such as art, music, drama, movement, and more. If you’re new to therapy (or just curious about the creative side of it), this blog will walk you through what to expect.
What Happens in a Creative Arts Therapy Session?
A session often begins with a gentle check-in—how you’re feeling, what’s on your mind, or how your week has been. From there, your therapist might invite you into a creative activity tailored to your current situation. That could look like:
- Drawing your emotions
- Making a collage around a memory or theme
- Moving your body to music
- Playing a role in a short story or scene
- Using objects, puppets, or imagery—especially helpful for children and teens
After the creative process, you and your therapist will often take time to reflect on what came up. The focus isn’t on making something “good” or “right”—it’s on using creativity as a way to express, process, and connect with your inner world.
Why Use the Arts in Therapy?
Sometimes, words just aren’t enough. Creative arts therapy offers alternative ways to explore emotions and experiences—especially those that are difficult to name or discuss.
You don’t need to be an artist, dancer, or performer to benefit. These tools aren’t about skill—they’re about expression. Creativity taps into parts of ourselves that are often quiet or hidden. For many people, this gentle, non-verbal approach feels safer and more intuitive than jumping straight into conversation.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
You don’t need to be in crisis to start therapy. You don’t need to know exactly what to say, or even how you feel.
What matters most is that you’re open to exploring—and that you’re showing up for yourself.
Whether you’re moving through grief, anxiety, burnout, life transitions, or just feeling off-center, creative arts therapy offers a compassionate space to reconnect and heal—on your terms.
Ready to Begin?
At Creative Arts Connect, finding the right therapist is simple. Whether you’re seeking virtual sessions or in‑person care, our growing network of certified professionals is ready to support your healing through the power of the arts.
