An interview with mental health professional Claudia Gonzalez, MS, RMHCI
Image Credit: ID 325843440 © Miro Stefanovic | Dreamstime.com
Number 11 on our list of Energy Boosters is CREATIVITY! The sky’s the limit on this. The arts run the gamut from performance, mixed media, visual, language, literary, to crafts and pottery, and so much more.
Image credit: Claudia Gonzalez, KIMORAH Therapy
With such a bewildering array of choices, it can be challenging to approach a creative pursuit. That might be stressful instead of soothing. So, I asked Claudia Gonzalez to help sort out why creativity is an energy booster. Claudia Gonzalez is a dedicated mental health professional who passionately integrates art, music, poetry, and photography into her therapeutic approach, recognizing their profound impact on healing and self-expression. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and dual undergraduate degrees in art and science, Claudia brings a unique blend of creativity and scientific understanding to her practice.
Is creativity an emotional outlet? If so, how?
Yes, creativity is not only an emotional outlet but also a problem-solving skill. It fuels people’s motivation and passions by providing a space to imagine all the possibilities that could exist. It allows individuals to visualize the future and engage in their own spiritual endeavors. Creation is fundamentally the act of manifestation.
What counts as a creative activity? Is it limited to visual arts, and do you have to be “good at it” for it to elevate your energy levels?
Any act of creation constitutes creativity, whether it involves art, mathematics, or even procreation. People engage with the energy they need, and if creativity is the form they choose, then that is what matters. The notion of being “good at it” is an irrational social construct. Creative expression transcends the ego and is an essential aspect of being human.
(For more on the fundamental right of creative expression, see this piece from Rolling Stone. As an aside, there used to be a website for writers called helium.com. A number of teachers had submitted contributions on the First Amendment and every single one of them said the First Amendment granted the right of speech. I had to correct them. Free speech is an unalienable right, granted by our Creator. Congress does not grant that right. The First Amendment prohibits Congress from infringing on our right to freedom of speech. Big difference, but I digress.)
How often should a person engage in a creative pursuit in order for it to “work”?
Engagement in creative pursuits should be consistent, covering all stages of the creative process:
- Creation of Visualization: This includes brainstorming ideas, thinking about projects, daydreaming, or meditating on aspirations.
- Realization: This involves documenting ideas, communicating them, or planning.
- Application: This stage encompasses pursuing the ideas, investing in them, and implementing plans.
- Manifestation: Finally, this is about making the ideas tangible and real.
Are there physical symptoms of stress that can be mitigated or avoided through a creative exercise?
Any creative exercise engaged in with the intention to release stress can be effective. While challenging times cannot be avoided, creative activities provide a constructive means to cope effectively.
What have you seen in your therapy sessions when clients/patients engage in creative outlets?
In therapy sessions, I have observed that clients often experience a sense of acceptance and self-reflection when they engage in creative coping skills.
What happens to neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin when people get their creative juices flowing?
Research supports that making space for creativity can lower symptoms of anxiety and depression. Dopamine and serotonin are linked to feelings of pleasure and happiness, so if creativity provides an opportunity to experience these positive emotions, it can lead to increased levels of these neurotransmitters during creative activities.
Does creativity enhance problem-solving and resilience?
Creativity is inherently a form of problem-solving. Resilience is a core belief that develops through the process of accepting oneself and acknowledging challenges. Creativity contributes to this process, aiding in problem-solving and fostering resilience.
Does creativity have to be done in isolation or can it be done in socially connected settings?
Creativity can occur in any setting, whether isolated or socially connected.
I found that last line intriguing. From personal experience during the pandemic lockdown, I discovered that I’m not 100% Lone Wolf. I enjoyed my own company, but when I felt like having social interaction and couldn’t, I went stir crazy. I’ve always enjoyed writing and had always felt like I didn’t have the time.
Well, well, well. That lockdown afforded all the time in the world.
As many clients know, I began writing in earnest, but my attention span kept me distracted. That’s when I took to writing short stories and flash fiction. To meet my social needs, I tapped some writer friends on Twitter and created a virtual group. We’d meet once a week, spend some time socializing, and then discuss our latest creative pursuits. During the week, we’d all pair up over the phone to support each other and read each other’s work. That’s how I survived the emotional wreckage of the pandemic.
So any setting? A corporate boardroom, a soccer field, an art studio, a stage. Yes, yes, and yes. If you’re familiar with Simon Sinek, he’s creating a movement to honor and respect workers for their innate humanity. Here’s an episode of his podcast, interviewing a poet.
Are you frothing at the mouth to get started and try something creative?
Here are a few places to start:
Writing – Miramar Library Writers Group – contact Elaine Cohen elainecohen@hotmail.com
Dance Dance Through the Ages, Davie, FL
Painting/Drawing (with a twist, 21+), Davie, FL
Pottery Dirty Lizard, Hollywood, FL
Do you have a creative outlet? Leave a comment.
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