ABSTRACT
Introduction
Creativity in this study is conceptualised as an intrinsic relational process that enables therapists to respond flexibly and collaboratively to clients’ needs. Through retrospective interviews with practising counselling psychologists, the study explores how therapists experience and apply creativity in practice. It has helped these therapists to approach various multicultural and developmental aspects of their clients with ease. Although creativity in therapy has conventionally been art-based, this study shifts the focus to having creativity as an intrinsic part of therapy, interwoven through different stages of therapeutic alliance. Current training programmes rarely emphasise its development, leaving a critical gap in how Indian counsellors are prepared for using creativity in practice.
Aim
To explore how practising counselling psychologists experience and apply creativity in therapeutic practice.
Method
Using a qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with therapists and thematically analysed.
Findings
The analysis generated three major themes: (1) tailoring approaches by adapting to cultural and developmental contexts along with the clients; (2) therapist flexibility in creative development; and (3) navigating training environments for the growth of creativity.
Conclusion
Creativity was conceptualised as an intrinsic relational process embedded within therapeutic practice. The findings highlight the importance of recognising and fostering creativity as an integral aspect of counselling practice and therapist development.
Practical Implications
Creativity has been identified as an effective aspect of the therapeutic process through retrospective interviews of practicing counselling psychologists. It has helped therapists approach various multicultural and developmental aspects of their clients. The need for exploring creativity as an integral part of the training of counselling psychologists emerges to include integrating explicit opportunities for fostering creativity, encouraging experimentation, supervision and dialogue through peer collaboration to further support the development of personalised therapeutic styles.