As I reflect on 2025, it’s hard to believe that it was almost eleven months ago that I turned 50 and travelled to India. It was one of the most remarkable places I have ever visited, and something within me really did shift. Witnessing the extremes of both poverty and wealth brought home, in a very real way, how happiness comes from within. It sounds like a cliché, but it truly is. Some of the happiest people I encountered had very little in terms of material possessions.
The cultural diversity was extraordinary, and India felt deeply welcoming. I felt safe there, and the colour, vibrancy, and richness of everyday life were unforgettable. It was a powerful and inspiring way to begin the year.
Professionally, this year has been incredibly full. Alongside a busy therapy practice, I have taught two Reiki Level One courses, one Munay-Ki course, two Reiki Level Two courses, one Reiki Master Teacher course, and one Karuna Reiki Master Teacher course. As I no longer teach Karuna Reiki, it felt particularly meaningful to offer this course one final time in May.
Although I had hoped to develop and create new courses this year, time simply hasn’t allowed for it. Rather than seeing this as a setback, it has prompted me to reflect on how I want to work moving forward — with more intention, space, and creativity. I already have several courses available through my Reiki Courses in Wales website, and next year feels less about doing more and more, and more about allowing what is already there to deepen and evolve organically.
This year also marked a return to trance healing after a long break. I attended a training weekend in London and completed a six-week course, which reignited something important for me. I’m looking forward to developing this work further next year. I have also enrolled on a course with the College of Psychic Studies in May, and I am preparing to begin my Creative Counselling Diploma in January — a step that feels like a natural continuation of my work.
As I look ahead, one of my key intentions is to bring more creativity into my therapy space. Over time, I’ve come to see how limiting it can be to rely on words alone, particularly when working with trauma, anxiety, or experiences that live more in the body or the imagination than in conscious thought.
What is Creative Therapy?
Creative therapy is a gentle, flexible way of working that recognises that not everything can be expressed through words. Sometimes emotions, memories, or patterns of experience sit beneath language, and creative approaches can offer a safe and accessible way to explore them.
Creative therapy may involve imagery, metaphor, visualisation, symbolism, simple creative expression, or embodied awareness. These approaches help access deeper layers of understanding and meaning, supporting healing in ways that feel intuitive and respectful of each individual’s pace.
What does creative therapy look like in practice?
In practice, creative therapy is always led by the client’s needs and comfort. Sessions may include:
Guided imagery or visualisation to explore emotions or inner resources
Working with metaphor or symbolism to make sense of complex experiences
Simple creative expression, such as drawing or using objects, to externalise thoughts or feelings
Body-based awareness to notice sensations, emotions, and nervous system responses
Imaginative or grounding exercises to support safety and emotional regulation
There is no expectation to create “art” or to be creative in a traditional sense. The focus is never on the outcome, but on what emerges through the process.
“I’m not creative — is this still for me?”
This is something I hear often. Creative therapy is not about artistic ability, talent, or performance. Many people who describe themselves as “not creative” find this approach particularly helpful because it removes pressure and opens up new ways of understanding themselves.
Talking remains central to the work, with creative approaches gently woven in where helpful. Everything is optional, and we will always work in ways that feel safe, collaborative, and appropriate.
Creative therapy can be especially supportive for those experiencing anxiety, trauma, overwhelm, or feeling stuck, as well as for neurodivergent clients who may think more visually or intuitively.
Moving into the next year, I feel less driven by external expectations and more guided by what feels authentic and aligned. At this stage of my life and work, I’m trusting the integration of everything I’ve learned — creativity, spirituality, and trauma-informed practice — and allowing the work to unfold in its own time.
Reflections on 2025: Growth, Creativity, and the Path Ahead
