So far, we have been describing fairly traditional forms of therapy which are well-known and reasonably well-understood, even by the general public. But not every aspect of a person’s nature can be reached by these disciplines. In the past few decades, new forms of therapy have emerged which take into account the understanding that people communicate and express themselves in very different ways.

For people with mental and physical difficulties, this has been the opening of a whole new world. Using the creative arts, problems can be approached “sideways” and resolved in an approach that is non-threatening and actually enjoyable.

A child with a mental handicap, for example, may not be able to talk at all, but through dance therapy, she is able to express her anger, her excitement, her confusion. A person with severe Cerebral Palsy, whose body refuses to work the way he wants it to, may be able to hold a brush between his teeth and create paintings which articulate all the feelings he would otherwise keep bottled up inside.

Through these and other media like drama, music and play, therapists in the creative arts are helping people (both able and disabled) to live fuller, happier lives.

At present, training in the creative therapies (except in Art Therapy) does not exist in India. People who practise them have either been trained abroad or have apprenticed themselves to someone already in the field. But as more people become aware of the exciting possibilities these therapies promise, training for special needs may begin to include them in their curriculum.

A good therapist is not just someone with psychological theories at her fingertips. Therapy calls for an inherently caring attitude and the ability to give long hours of focused attention to one’s persons.
Other attributes include:

  • Good listening skills
  • Empathy and supportiveness
  • Sensitivity and a non-judgmental attitude
  • A flexible, open mind
  • Confidentiality
  • The desire to keep on learning and staying abreast with new developments in the field.