Clay

Its tactile immediacy and ability to touch feelings and emotions so speedily is what gives clay its effectiveness in art therapy. I remember one particular session when my group were working with clay sitting on cushions on the floor.

A group member arrived feeling very angry and distraught, she had had a quarrel with an ex lover, who she felt was taking advantage of her generosity and good nature. She almost didn't make the session and peddled furiously to get there.

When presented with a lump of clay, she first made a large heart, but later as she talked about her angry feelings, her hands worked rapidly and before our eyes the heart was transformed into an extremely uncomfortable place: she hollowed it out and placed upturned nails at the bottom, with barbed wire all round the rim (all made of clay!). Her final gesture as she concluded her monologue was in a swift movement to take off her socks and shoes and jump on her object. She later left the session feeling quite energised.

All text and pictures have been reproduced with the consent of the participants