Therapeutic use of Clay

'Kasia had started clay therapy with one Individual who has cerebral palsy on a one to one basis. When another Individual saw that, she also wanted to join the group. At the moment Kasia comes in once a month and provides clay therapy for 3 Individuals. One Individual in particular would have never put her hands on clay before since she doesn't like anything sticky on her hands. Kasia has a very empathic and playful way to guide people with an Intellectual disability to engage with new materials. The Individual with sensory issues started with Play Doo but now has no problem working with clay. Every session is playful and a very important social interaction between the 3 Individuals. They have to share materials and can express their   creativity through this wonderful, versatile material. All three ladies enjoy clay therapy and ask a week after a session when the next session will be.'

​Brothers Of Charity, Ennis

'I used the clay as part of the program.  Initially I felt a bit overwhelmed with the blob of clay.  (Mental block what am I going to do with this).  But I picked up and felt the cold heaviness of the clay.  It felt relaxing.  I realised that I didn’t have to make a thing, just experience it.  It helped to just focus on the clay and not what was going on in the room.  I played with it for a while, just experiencing the cold, softening and warming with my hands.  When I had created a pancake shape, I felt I was making an ear, and being heard, the intuition was to create an elephant, so with that, I continued to make this elephant.  It was nice to be able to embellish it afterwards, with sequins and beads.  Afterwards I felt both energised and relaxed.  I now have it sat on a shelf in my kitchen.  A reminder to just listen …' Lara

‘I got the opportunity to work with clay during a workshop with Kasia I attended recently.
I liked the fact that working with clay means you don't have to talk or write down anything, there is a freeness in the work. I could just express my emotions through my hands and it offers a special release that I didn't know I needed at the time. Being a visual person this really hit hard for me and it was amazing what the body realised through the short session. The smoothness and temperature of the clay was comforting and offered a reassurance without me having to say anything at all. I would 100% work with clay again and I hope I get the opportunity to.’ Abby
 

‘I was curious about working with clay in a therapeutic way. I wondered what way it might work. I decided to try and see how it would happen and how it might feel.
It was interesting. As I like art but I never know where to start with any artistic medium. With out thinking about it I made things without thinking about it and chatted away. It was interesting seeing forms take shape with the clay. I can imagine with someone that might find it difficult to talk that having something to do with their hands would likely find it easier to talk when they are focused on the clay.
It felt comfortable and easy as I was distracted with the clay and enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the experience. Keeping hands busy makes things easier. I would recommend it!’ Ellen

‘I decided to work with clay because I was curious how this method works.
I was very positively surprised because during the session, many tears,emotions were released and it felt like I ‘defrosted’ parts of my body. I would very much recommend that method to my friends and Kasia's work as a coach. She is very empathic person with lots of knowledge and she is able to help others.
I would be very grateful if I could get a chance to work with clay again.’ Agnieszka

‘Clay, very emotional experience. Working with clay opened my mind to express my inner emotions. I started mixing clay from in between my hands, thinking what am i making? Suddenly the shape started, emotions overcame me and hands started making my feelings and thoughts into shaped outcome. It was indeed emotional, on so many aspects. I felt a relief from inner part of my chest. In one of my longing desires of my past, it was right in front of me in a shape of my home I grew up in. It was my longing joy for young me again. Clay, I would definitely work with it again. Its a massive release of tension, sadness, cleanse. My biggest takeaway from clay experience is understand my emotions and release of them into my own work that I can look back on. Its a story to be told in making… until next clay session. ‘ Kristina

‘I decided to try working with clay because I am open to anything new that is for my best interest. I always like to have my time out of my routine.
When working with clay you feel free. Touching experience and talking how you really are and say it to a person who does not make you feel judged and above all you feel a strong certainty that everything you say stays there. Kasia is like a ‘diary with a code that only she and I know’.
Working with clay taught me that it is OK to not be OK, that it is something normal to have anxiety ect..and I got that apart from my best friend who has known me all my life without ever judging, there is also Kasia.
I would like to ‘open my diary with Kasia’ more. I like Kasia because she is natural. She doesn't put on that super sweet mask to fill you with useless compliments .. or just to listen.. she always shares her ideas and also she talks about her life. ‘
Mika

‘I remember touching and playing with clay when I was in kindergarten/primary school, so 20+ years ago; since then, I’ve never touched it again.
This changed when Kasia, as part of the Life Coaching Programme, brought a big block of clay and asked us to create, let us be free and be guided by our hands.
The purpose was to give a form to our inner critic.
My creation had nothing to do with the “assignment” because I took the words FREE and GUIDED by our hands very seriously.
My creation ended up being 8 different little characters, 6 representing my family members and 2 that I still can’t identify; incredibly, I knew exactly which one of the characters was my mom, dad, me, my sister and my 2 brothers.
The one that touched me the most was the character representing my Dad, that passed away in June last year, his character being someone that is hugging something (5 red glittery hearts in this case).
My hands were flowing, there was no thinking, inner judgement or “rules” to follow, hands and heart were connected.
I have forgotten the power of clay and the importance of letting us explore our internal word and let it be expressed by a handmade creation in this case.
So thank you Kasia for bringing this magical moment back to me, to US 
I’m really looking forward to work with clay under your guidance again!’ Maria