Beyond Creative Techniques: Developing Confidence and Clinical Judgement in Creative Practice

Beyond Creative Techniques: Developing Confidence and Clinical Judgement in Creative Practice

Professional two-day experiential training for psychotherapists, counsellors and clinical supervisors.

Creative work in therapy is not simply about having a collection of activities or techniques. It requires the practitioner to understand when a creative intervention may be helpful, why it is being introduced, how it fits within the therapeutic relationship, and whether it is appropriate for the individual client and wider clinical context.

Across the two days, participants will move from thinking about creativity to experiencing it directly. Through guided experiential practice, reflection, discussion and clinical application, the training will support participants to deepen their own relationship with creativity and become more confident in using creative approaches with sensitivity, purpose and ethical awareness.

The training will explore creativity as more than art-making. Participants will engage with a range of creative, embodied and reflective methodologies that can support expression, insight, emotional processing, relational attunement and access to inner knowing.

Particular attention will be given to the practitioner’s use of self, the therapeutic relationship, pacing, consent, readiness, individual difference and the risk of using creative interventions in ways that may feel imposed, exposing or disconnected from the client’s needs.

This is clinically grounded and experiential training. Participants will be invited to engage personally with the material while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. No previous artistic experience or specialist creative training is required.

The training is suitable for psychotherapists, counsellors, clinical supervisors and other appropriately qualified therapeutic practitioners who wish to strengthen their confidence in integrating creative approaches into their work.

This training has been approved for 12 IACP CPD points.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the two days, participants will have had opportunities to:

• Develop a deeper and more embodied understanding of creativity within therapeutic practice.

• Recognise creativity as a way of thinking, relating, experiencing and responding, rather than solely as art-making.

• Consider when and why a creative intervention may be clinically appropriate.

• Strengthen awareness of pacing, consent, readiness and individual difference.

• Reflect on the practitioner’s use of self and embodied responses within creative work.

• Develop greater confidence in adapting creative approaches to different clients and clinical contexts.

• Apply stronger ethical awareness and clinical judgement when introducing creative methodologies.

Day One: Developing the Practitioner’s Embodied Relationship with Creativity

Day One will focus on the practitioner’s own relationship with creativity. Through experiential exploration, reflective enquiry and group discussion, participants will consider what supports or inhibits creative engagement and how their own responses may shape their therapeutic practice.

The day will explore creativity as an embodied, relational and reflective process, supporting participants to move beyond performance, artistic ability or the pressure to find the “right” technique.

Registration: 9.30 am
Training : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Day Two: Developing an Ethical and Clinically Grounded Creative Practice

Day Two will focus more directly on clinical application. Participants will explore how to select, introduce and adapt creative approaches with attention to the therapeutic relationship, client readiness, consent, pacing, boundaries and context.

The day will support participants to strengthen their clinical judgement and develop greater confidence in responding creatively without becoming overly reliant on prescribed techniques.

Training: 9.30 am to 5.00 pm

About the Facilitator

Michelle Fahy, MIACP, MEAIP, is an experienced psychotherapist, accredited clinical supervisor, coach, trainer and group facilitator with over 30 years of professional experience across education, psychotherapy, supervision and professional development.

She holds an MA in Creative Psychotherapy and a Diploma in Biodynamic and Integrative Psychotherapy. She is clinically qualified to work across the lifespan with children, adolescents and adults.

Her approach is relational, creative and psychodynamic, as well as experiential, embodied, neuro-affirming and diversity-informed.

Michelle has worked in independent practice for more than 16 years and has over 10 years’ experience as a clinical supervisor. A central strength of her work is supporting practitioners to build confidence, trust their own clinical insight and develop approaches that are reflective, responsible and genuinely their own.

Her facilitation encourages deeper self-awareness, reflective curiosity and stronger clinical judgement in practice.

What Your Fee Includes

The fee includes:

• Two days of in-person experiential training.

• Tea and coffee during scheduled breaks.

• A certificate of attendance for 12 IACP CPD points, provided following full attendance on both days.

Please note that lunch is not included. Participants will need to make their own lunch arrangements.

What Participants Will Need to Bring

Participants are asked to bring:

• A pencil case containing markers, crayons and colouring pencils.

• A clipboard.

• A small supply of A4 paper.

• At least six miniatures, with animals being a good choice, or six small objects selected from nature or home.

These materials will be used during the experiential elements of the training.

Venue and Accessibility

The training will take place at the National Surf Centre, Strandhill, a fully accessible, inclusive and environmentally conscious venue.

The Centre offers step-free access, lift access, accessible bathrooms and a fully equipped Changing Places facility. It is also committed to providing gender-inclusive, safe and respectful facilities for all visitors.

Participants with specific accessibility needs are welcome to make contact in advance.

Cancellation and Transfer Policy

Your place is confirmed once full payment has been received. You may cancel your booking within 14 days of purchase and receive a full refund, provided the training has not already begun.

After the initial 14-day period:

• Cancellations received on or before 11 December 2026 will receive a refund of the training fee, less a €30 administration charge and any non-refundable booking or payment-processing fees.

• Cancellations received between 12 December 2026 and 7 January 2027 will receive a 50 per cent refund.

• Cancellations received from 8 January 2027 onwards are non-refundable.

You may transfer your place to another suitably qualified practitioner at no additional charge. Transfer requests must be received in writing no later than 15 January 2027. The replacement participant must meet the training eligibility requirements and complete the required registration information.

Where exceptional circumstances arise, please contact Michelle directly. Any alternative arrangement will be considered individually but cannot be guaranteed.

If the training is cancelled by the facilitator, participants will receive a full refund of the training fee.

Dynamic Wellbeing cannot accept responsibility for travel, accommodation or other expenses incurred by participants.

If the training needs to be rescheduled, participants may transfer their booking to the new dates or request a full refund.