Creativity as Cultural Survival: The Healing Power of Storytelling, Music, and Art
When some people think of therapy, they think of traditional talk therapy where they walk into the therapeutic office, speak to their therapist and then see them next week. For many that ritual is bountiful and restorative for them.
However, here at Grounded Wellbeing, we recognize that healing and restoration are not a one size fits all journey. Many marginalized communities have used creative expression such as storytelling, music, visual arts, and movement as a vital pathway to their emotional resiliency, identity affirmation, and collective healing for centuries. Creativity will always be more than a therapeutic tool; it’s a form of cultural survival. Transcending generations and continents, artistic practices have aided individuals and communities in processing their trauma, reclaiming their cultural narratives, and envisioning their liberated futures.
Artistic expression allows individuals to explore their feelings, expose their underlying fears, and foster a better understanding of one’s core yearnings. Whether through painting, music, writing, or dance, creativity offers a non-verbal representation of what words cannot convey effectively and offers a window into the intimate parts of oneself.
These creative pursuits also aid in keeping an individual in the “here and now,” the present moment, helping them remain grounded in times of intense emotion.
Narrative creation and storytelling have been a cornerstone of cultural preservation and healing across civilizations. In Indigenous communities, cultural transmission of oral traditions carried their history, values, traditions, and so much more, establishing repositories of identity and cultural community that continued for centuries.
Even music transcends language and cultural barriers, serving as a powerful therapeutic tool for emotional expression and self-exploration. Historically, music has been integral to rituals, ceremonies, and communal gatherings, contributing to the connection and liberation of black communities during Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement.
Visual arts and movement practices, such as painting, dance, and sculpting, offer symbolic opportunities to process emotions and experiences, which potentially helps one view the experience from an alternative perspective. This reframing can lead to increased self-awareness, improved mood, and a greater sense of agency.
Incorporating creativity in mental health practice is essential here at Grounded Wellbeing. By honoring the cultural and historical significance of storytelling, music, and art, we are able to supply our clients with a dynamic toolkit to navigate their healing journeys with.
Feeling Creative?
We Invite you to Try one of the following:
Music: Find a song you associate with congratulating yourself or with positive affirmation. (Hype Yourself Up)
Art: Sketch what it means to be successful.
Storytelling: What stories or narratives around success have you been told from family members and friends?
Movement: Move your body like a sculpture, into an exaggerated positions that you believe represents cheerfulness/excitement.
Reflection: What influenced your response? What did it reveal as important to you or as important to others? How do you feel about what was revealed? How do you feel about feeling that way?
Interested in working with Kianna or one of our other clinicians, click the link HERE.
