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| Paul C. Cooper, NCPsyA, LP Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy, Counseling Individuals, Couples, Groups, Families |
Creativity & Psychotherapy
Self-help environments such as on-line communities and
real-life support groups can serve as valuable sources of
support, encouragement, feedback and positive criticism
for creative endeavors.
However, despite their value, such groups are not equipped to
address deep-rooted emotional difficulties and core issues
that often operate out of conscious awareness and that can
be a source of deep pain,self-doubt, and despair that many
creative people often experience. I strongly suggest individual
psychotherapy to better address these deep-rooted issues.
Other individuals often engage in depth psychotherapy with
highly skilled, intuitive, empathically attuned and experienced
clinicians. However, they are often guided by the assumption
that what they see as a "creative block" is exclusively the
result of one's own inner conflicts. This approach, while
extremely valuable, can often become self-defeating as the
emphasis can be on "what's wrong with me?"
While unconscious factors do contribute to creative blocks
that depth psychotherapy can effectively address to the
individual's benefit, this approach in my opinion, simply does
not portray the total picture. Equally important is an increasing
sensitivity to the natural flow of one's own creative process.
While unique to each of us, there are certain general patterns
that can be ascertained through a thorough careful and
sensitive self- examination during the course of
psychotherapy.
Such self-exploration can lead to an often dramatic
blossoming and freeing up of one's creative flow.
Dual -Pronged Approach
It is in the spirit of uncovering both aspects of creativity:
deeply-rooted unconscious interferences, natural rhythms
and the interaction between the two, that I have developed a
dual-pronged approach. This comprehensive stance
addresses both the linear developmental aspects of creativity
through time-tested depth psychotherapy and the circular
aspects of the creative process that relate directly to one's
unique natural rhythms and creative style. This approach has
been developed and refined through 22 years of clinical
experience, through contemplative practices, introspection
and scrutiny of my own creative rhythms as an award-winning
writer, poet and musician.
Creative Flow and the Myth of "Blocks"
My experience informs that what are often perceived as
"blocks" turn out to be important turns in this circular
process. These turns need to be respected, worked with,
allowed for and utilized. For example, periods of taking in,
absorption, gestation and consolidation are normal aspects of
this process that are not exclusively indicative of blocks. So a
period of taking in by a writer, for example, might better be
used for reading. A period of gestation might better be used
for letting things settle or stir up.
Paul Cooper, N.C.Psy.A, L.P.: New York State Licensed,
nationally certified psychoanalyst who practices
psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, couple's and family
counseling in New York City in a private, comfortable,
conveniently located midtown office. He also conducts a
practice in Westchester.
By Appointment only
212.779.2425
917,686.6380
Contact Paul Cooper:
What is Psychoanalysis?
Self-help environments such as on-line communities and
real-life support groups can serve as valuable sources of
support, encouragement, feedback and positive criticism
for creative endeavors.
However, despite their value, such groups are not equipped to
address deep-rooted emotional difficulties and core issues
that often operate out of conscious awareness and that can
be a source of deep pain,self-doubt, and despair that many
creative people often experience. I strongly suggest individual
psychotherapy to better address these deep-rooted issues.
Other individuals often engage in depth psychotherapy with
highly skilled, intuitive, empathically attuned and experienced
clinicians. However, they are often guided by the assumption
that what they see as a "creative block" is exclusively the
result of one's own inner conflicts. This approach, while
extremely valuable, can often become self-defeating as the
emphasis can be on "what's wrong with me?"
While unconscious factors do contribute to creative blocks
that depth psychotherapy can effectively address to the
individual's benefit, this approach in my opinion, simply does
not portray the total picture. Equally important is an increasing
sensitivity to the natural flow of one's own creative process.
While unique to each of us, there are certain general patterns
that can be ascertained through a thorough careful and
sensitive self- examination during the course of
psychotherapy.
Such self-exploration can lead to an often dramatic
blossoming and freeing up of one's creative flow.
Dual -Pronged Approach
It is in the spirit of uncovering both aspects of creativity:
deeply-rooted unconscious interferences, natural rhythms
and the interaction between the two, that I have developed a
dual-pronged approach. This comprehensive stance
addresses both the linear developmental aspects of creativity
through time-tested depth psychotherapy and the circular
aspects of the creative process that relate directly to one's
unique natural rhythms and creative style. This approach has
been developed and refined through 22 years of clinical
experience, through contemplative practices, introspection
and scrutiny of my own creative rhythms as an award-winning
writer, poet and musician.
Creative Flow and the Myth of "Blocks"
My experience informs that what are often perceived as
"blocks" turn out to be important turns in this circular
process. These turns need to be respected, worked with,
allowed for and utilized. For example, periods of taking in,
absorption, gestation and consolidation are normal aspects of
this process that are not exclusively indicative of blocks. So a
period of taking in by a writer, for example, might better be
used for reading. A period of gestation might better be used
for letting things settle or stir up.
Paul Cooper, N.C.Psy.A, L.P.: New York State Licensed,
nationally certified psychoanalyst who practices
psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, couple's and family
counseling in New York City in a private, comfortable,
conveniently located midtown office. He also conducts a
practice in Westchester.
By Appointment only
212.779.2425
917,686.6380
Contact Paul Cooper:
What is Psychoanalysis?
