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

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

Creative approaches can deepen therapeutic work, particularly when words feel limited or clients need another way to explore their experience. Effective creative practice, however, requires more than introducing activities or collecting techniques. It requires relational awareness, appropriate pacing, clear therapeutic purpose and confidence in clinical decision-making. 

Beyond Creative Techniques is designed to support practitioners to trust their own clinical judgement when integrating creative, embodied and experiential approaches into practice. 

Across the two days, participants will move from thinking about creativity to experiencing it directly. Through guided practice, reflection, discussion and clinical application, they will 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 creative, embodied and reflective methodologies that can support expression, insight, emotional processing, relational attunement and access to inner knowing. 

The focus is not on artistic ability or following fixed exercises. It is on recognising creativity as a way of thinking, relating, experiencing and responding, while developing the confidence to work creatively, ethically and authentically with each client. 

Training Content 

Day One: Developing the Practitioner 

Day One will focus on practitioner presence, embodiment and the capacity to work with curiosity and uncertainty. 

Participants will explore relational presence, practitioner anxiety, nervous system awareness, readiness and resistance, choice and consent, and the ability to remain engaged when there is no immediate answer or clear direction. 

Day Two: Clinical Judgement and Application 

Day Two will focus on the clinical and ethical application of creative approaches. 

Participants will explore therapeutic purpose, pacing and emotional safety, adapting methods to the individual client, working with metaphor, image, objects, symbols and embodied experience, avoiding premature interpretation, and responding when an intervention does not unfold as expected. 

Clinical examples, reflective discussion and experiential learning will be used throughout both days. 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the training, participants will be able 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.
• Build greater confidence in their own creative and clinical capacities.
• Strengthen their judgement around timing, pacing, safety and therapeutic purpose.
• Respond more flexibly to the individual client and the therapeutic relationship without becoming overly directive.
• Integrate creative practice in ways that feel ethical, grounded and authentic.

Who Is This Training For? 

This training is suitable for psychotherapists, counsellors and clinical supervisors working with children, adolescents or adults. 

It is relevant both to practitioners who already use creative approaches and those who feel uncertain or hesitant about introducing them. 

No previous specialist training in creative psychotherapy is required. Participants do not need to consider themselves artistic or have experience in art-based practice. 

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 psychotherapy, education, supervision and facilitation. 

Michelle 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 more than 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. 

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. 

Event Details 

Dates: Friday, 22 January and Saturday, 23 January 2027 

Venue: National Surf Centre, Strandhill, County Sligo 

CPD Recognition: 12 IACP CPD points 

Fee: €325 

Further information and booking details are available through the direct booking link: 

https://workshops.dynamicwellbeing.ie/events/dynamicwellbeing/2345056 

 Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on the IACP website event calendar, the IACP cannot accept any responsibility or liability for information provided by outside organisation. The views expressed in presentations made at this event are those of the event organiser / speaker and not, necessarily, of the IACP. Presentations at this event do not constitute an endorsement  of the IACP regarding organiser’s or speaker’s views, products or services.