With Spring finally here I have been doing a lot of planting of seeds for my vegetable garden as well as the therapeutic children’s garden at work. It has had me thinking about the connection between gardening and the therapy process.

When I do art therapy with clients there is a flow that happens that is inexplicable for the most part. On the surface it may seem like not a lot is being done. Or perhaps nothing unusual or different appears to be happening. But experience tells me that just below the surface important work is taking place.

It’s not magic, no. It’s not coincidence or something that would just happen anyway. It is planned. At least in so far as the groundwork that has been put into place for shifts and transformations to happen. It is a drive for survival and eventual well-being within the client.

The seed contains the knowledge and wisdom  it needs inside of it to grow, it just needs the right conditions.

Think of a seed. The seed needs to be harvested first, carefully or it won’t retain the wisdom it contains to grow. The seed then needs to be planted at the right time: too early and it will not grow or will be too weak to survive; too late and it might bolt and die quickly, grow too slowly or be susceptible to disease. The seed contains the knowledge and wisdom  it needs inside of it to grow, it just needs the right conditions.

It needs to start in fertile soil with each seed having its own unique needs; some needing more care and protection and some can be left to grow wildly. It’s not that one seed is better than another. It’s just that it has different needs. The seedling needs to be tended to.

When the seed is underground we can’t see what is happening though much is taking place.

Here is what I know:

• Beginning with some gardening knowledge helps.
• Having fertile soil is important.
• Timing it right makes a difference to how well the seed grows and survives.
• Nurturing the seed in a way that the seed needs at any given point in time is essential.

When the seed is underground we can’t see what is happening though much is taking place.  The seed starts by germinating.  Once dormant and seemingly lifeless, the seed,  given the right conditions begins to sprout and with magnificent strength and determination will push its way through to the surface where it can get more of what it needs light. Energy. Life.

And so it goes with inner transformation.  In therapy we do this dance of planting seeds when clients are ready. Or we focus on strength a client has.  We nurture these, encouraging them to push through and tap into their inner knowledge, their ability to grow and transform, create something new in the art and themselves.

It’s part intuitive, part knowledge based, and a big part of it is what the client brings to the table. Many dont’ have the fertile “soil” for growth. As an Art Therapist I  provide them with art supplies, patience and encouragement.  I guide based on what seeds, needs and goals that they have.  I support based on individual needs; stage of growth and the ever-changing emotional weather.

One must  understand and respect the creative cycle, lulls and all, for lurking under an apparent dry spell is a seed waiting to sprout and grow into creative expression.

Nurturing creativity is a similar journey.  One must plant the seed: “I am creative”.  One must  understand and respect the creative cycle, lulls and all, for lurking under an apparent dry spell is a seed waiting to sprout and grow into creative expression. If it is not nurtured it will fail. Timing is essential, for try to grow it too soon and creativity will retreat.  Too late and it may be malnourished, weak and susceptible to the inner critics (much like weak plants to insects).

If we use this metaphor for our creativity we see that the seed contains the inherent knowing of how to grow, it simply needs the right space, patience and nurturing to grow.  Our creativity too has its own inner wisdom, simply waiting for the right mix of support internally and externally to allow it to be expressed.

How do you nourish your creativity?

 Registration for the next Live e-course OPENS April 6th!