Creativity in Therapy: Being Struck by Lightning and Guided by Thunderstorms

Abstract

In this article the manner in which creativity guides the psychotherapy process is explored. The three major components of the study of creativity are explored and applied to the psychotherapy process. The 'person' (including both the therapist and client), the 'process' (the interaction between the client and therapist), and the 'product' (therapeutic change) are all explored as components of creativity. In addition, the authors maintain that in the psychotherapy process, divergent thinking, convergent thinking, and intuition are all necessary ingredients of creativity. It is proposed that creativity is not a trait, but a learned activity in which therapists engage frequently. Relational dynamics influencing these creative components are explored. The creative therapeutic process is explored with case examples provided.