Creative Arts Therapy

Creative Horizons: Expressive Arts Therapy for Personal Growth and Well-Being

Course Description:
Creative Horizons is an inclusive, evidence-based expressive arts therapy program designed to empower individuals with developmental disabilities through creative expression and self-discovery. This course fosters personal growth, emotional healing, and a sense of belonging by offering a safe and supportive space to explore feelings, experiences, and strengths through various artistic mediums such as painting, music, movement, and storytelling. The course will be held in preferred language; Swedish, English, Sign language.

Step 1: Initial meeting
Each participant will begin with an individual interview to assess their interests,
communication styles, and preferred forms of creative expression. This ensures a
personalized approach that respects each individual's needs, strengths, and developmental goals.

Pedagogical Guidelines (based on Swedish Education Curriculum – Skolverket)
Individual Development and Learning:
Activities are adapted to each participant’s developmental stage, focusing on strengthening communication, creativity, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.

Participation and Influence:
Participants are encouraged to actively participate in planning, choosing materials, and
deciding on creative projects, supporting autonomy and self-determination (delaktighet och inflytande).

Safe Learning Environment:
A supportive and respectful space is provided where all participants feel seen, heard, and
valued, aligning with curriculum goals of promoting equality and preventing discrimination.

Creativity and Expression:
The course fosters creativity as a fundamental part of personal development, well-being, and learning, integrating different forms of artistic expression to match individual strengths.

Communication and Interaction:
Creative processes are used to develop communication skills both verbal and non-verbal, promoting social interaction and collaborative learning (kommunikation och samspel).

Holistic Approach to Well-Being:
Emotional, physical, and cognitive aspects of each participant’s health are considered,
aiming to strengthen self-esteem, sense of identity, and emotional security.

Documentation and Reflection:
Participants' progress is documented through journals, creative portfolios, and shared
reflections to encourage metacognitive thinking (reflekterande lärande) and self-awareness. Participants are encouraged to express themselves freely, celebrating their unique abilities while building self-awareness, confidence, and emotional resilience. Through group activities and individual projects, students will connect with others, form a supportive community, and learn techniques that promote mental health and well-being.

The course also aims to reduce stigma around mental health, highlighting the importance of self-care and self-expression. Through public exhibitions and collaborative events with creative artists, participants will have the opportunity to share their journey with the wider community, promoting inclusion, understanding, and celebration of diverse talents.

Feel free to contact me for additional information or book an initital meeting:

christopher@wisdomcreativespace.se