The Creative Connection
Expressive Arts as Healing

Natalie Rogers

ISBN 978-0831400804
$38.95

Dr. Natalie Rogers has developed a process called the Creative Connection® that interweaves all the expressive arts -- movement, sound, drawing, painting, writing, and guided imagery -- to tap into the deep wellspring of creativity within each of us. The aim is to reclaim ourselves , and then help others reclaim themselves as actively playful, spirited, and conscious individuals. Rogers emphasizes the importance of psychological safety and freedom while using the creative arts. This reflects her extensive work with her father, Carl Rogers, and a deep belief in his person-centered approach to counseling. Photos and art help demystify this process, and various exercises range from the simple to the complex. Natalie's practical suggestions aid counselors who want to add expressive arts to their regular sessions. The Creative Connection is a Process for Reclaiming Vital Parts of Ourselves

Natalie Rogers makes an enormous contribution to the art of psychotherapy by approaching the essence of clients through every one of their senses. Using music, dance, art, words, pictures, and sculpture, she teaches therapists first to unlock the creative process in themselves and then, like skillful midwives, to bring to birth the creativity of others. June Singer, Jungian analyst, author of Boundaries of the Soul (from the back cover) Every human being has the capacity to be creative. It is also true that part of the psychotherapeutic process is to awaken the creative life force energy. Thus creativity and psychotherapy overlap. With these recognitions, Dr. Natalie Rogers has developed a process called the Creative Connection®, an interweaving of all of the expressive arts to reclaim vital parts of yourself. Expression through one art form stimulates and nurtures other forms. Dancing enlivens your art and writing. Making sounds frees your movement and art. This creative expression brings self-understanding and personal power, and leads to spiritual growth.

The author emphasizes the importance of having psychological safety and freedom while using the expressive arts. This reflects her firmly established roots: extensive work with her father, Carl Rogers, and a deep belief in his person-centered philosphy of counseling. It is the wondrous creative process, rather than the ultimate product, that is significant. Starting with simple and fun exercises for a rainy day, you can move gradually and easily into more profound uses of the expressive arts including working with clients to help them identify and be in touch with feelings, explore unconscious material, release energy, and discover their spiritual dimensions. You will find this book extremely helpful if you are a psychotherapist, counselor, educator, or group facilitator working with individuals whose concerns are:

• life transitions
• addiction recovery
• sexual abuse
• loss and grief
• pushing through creative blocks
• developing spirituality
• communicating across cultural boundaries

This richly illustrated book shows how Natalie Rogers has expanded her father's work by moving beyond purely verbal psychotherapy. Drawing on the work of Carl Jung as well, this approach to personal healing fully engages your mind, body, emotions, and spirit. ... from the cover flap This practical, spirited book brings fresh ideas to stimulate your innate creativity. It inspires a freedom of self-expression that is healing and transformative. Re-awakening and enjoying these natural energies and expressions brings insight, personal strength, and a deep connection to self and others. The core of this book is the connection of the experessive arts to one's essential nature and to planetary healing. The clear, straightforward writing will appeal to anyone who is curious or excited about exploring the arts as a growth process and awakening personal creativity. The Creative Connection stresses the need for experiential training and self-healing before doing deep psychological work with clients in any setting. Then this process can be used by psychotherapist, artists, writers, mental health workers, and people in corporations. Ample exercises and guidelines encourage thinking about applications at home, in the office, in the studio and in the world. With many vivid accounts and lavish illustrations, this book inspires creativity.

Copyright 2000 Science and Behavior Books