Therapeutic use of Clay

'Working with clay can bring sense of relaxation and calmness.

When we give shape and form to our worries and concerns and the problems can be seen,

it's easier to face the challenge or worry.'(Souter-Anderson, 2015)

At our fingertips lies a versatile medium—a tactile journey toward mental well-being and self-discovery:
the remarkable, mighty clay.
This malleable substance, with cool, earthy feel, has been a silent companion
in humanity’s creative endeavours for thousands of years.
Today, it is gaining recognition as a powerful ally in mental health, merging artistic expression with therapeutic benefits .
As individuals engage in, play, and mould clay, they become attuned to their hand movements and the creations they bring forth. This hands-on experience deepens connections, making it easier to express thoughts and emotions.

There’s something truly special about shaping clay with your hands. It goes beyond simple artistry; it offers a gentle reconnection with your Self. This experience acts like a reset button.

This hands-on approach taps into the primal human need for tactile experiences, a fundamental need for sensory engagement, allowing us to explore and express emotions in a tangible way. As we mold the clay, we’re not just creating art we’re sculpting our inner landscapes, giving shape to feelings that often elude verbal expression. The therapeutic use of clay dates back to ancient civilizations, which utilized it for both practical applications and healing rituals

Grounding & Sensory Healing:

Clay offers a rich sensory experience that can be beneficial for individuals of all ages, particularly for those with sensory processing difficulties. The tactile nature of clay, including its feel, temperature, and weight, engages multiple senses promoting relaxation, feeling grounded, focused, may help emotional regulation.

Mindful & Creative:

Engaging in this process keeps you in the moment, providing an escape from an everyday rush, stress, endless scrolling.
Earthy & Grounding:
It’s reminiscent of a nature walk, enhanced by the tactile experience of clay.
Empowering:

YOU DID IT!!

It’s a space where creativity meets care, and where self-compassion becomes a practice.

When we work with clay, it’s not an arts and crafts workshop you might have taken part in in the past. It’s more self-reflective, intuitive, less directive way of working. Working with clay can bring sense of relaxation and calmness. When we give shape and form to our worries and concerns and the problems can be seen, it's easier to face the challenge or worry. (Souter-Anderson, 2015). Everyone can work with clay, as we have been doing it, as humans, for thousands of years. There is no wrong way to do it, and the session is not a competition or an art exhibition. We are trying something new, allowing our hands and our body do whatever it wants to do. Holding a piece of clay offers endless potential and possibility.

Dr Lynne Souter Anderson confirms writing in her book ‘Touching clay, touching what?’: ‘When adult touch clay, they too are reminded of sensory experiences that often take them back to earlier times as a child or adolescent.’ Also, in another book ‘Making meaning. Clay Therapy with children and adolescents’ Dr Souter – Anderson continues ‘Most people find touching clay is a pleasant experience and since no specific prior skills or knowledge are needed it's rare that the client experiences failure in being able to work with the medium.’

The magic of Clay Conversations is overflowing with goodies:

A soothing sense of calm and relaxation through gentle activation of our parasympathetic nervous system
Enrichment of sensory experiences
Improvement of language and speech skills
A deeper appreciation for our connections with others
Boosting of imaginative abilities
Stimulating creativity
Increased spatial awareness
Refinement of manual dexterity
Increased resourcefulness
Improved decision-making skills
A heightened awareness of our precious Planet Earth
and more...

Clay Conversations can be beneficial and enjoyable for children, young people, families, and community groups. These gatherings are not only enlightening and stimulating but also educational, providing a relaxing and calming atmosphere.

SENSATIONAL WORKSHOPS where creativity, inclusion and joy meet at a full sensory experience!

Healing Arts offers access to people with various abilities so they can participate in expressive art community

using movement, mindfulness, clay work.

My programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual and I provide a supportive environment for

learning, growth and FUN times together!!

My goal is to increase participants awareness to their resilience, problem solving, and creativity when faced with challenges.

I believe that art can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-expression.

With each movement, we discover more about our artist selves and our human selves. Through my programs, I aim to empower individuals to develop their artistic and overall skills, gain confidence and develop strong sense of self while building a meaningful connections with their community.

We decided to try a Clay Therapy session for our clients as an introduction to a new activity,

we hoped that it might be relaxing and also allow clients to connect with their inner child.

The clients really enjoyed the session, they said that it was good fun, it brought back memories of

playing with their own children or grandchildren. (..)

The clients adore spending time with Kasia,

she brings a fun and creative energy to the room.

Initially the clients associated the clay with making a finished object rather than the enjoyment of just playing with the clay,

that is probably quite natural as we are all used to structured activities.

Words used to describe the session by our clients:

Relaxing, Joyous, Calming, Soothing, Soft on your hands, comforting, good for my arthritic fingers,

wonderful.

Clarecare - Over 65’s Club in Ennis

'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 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 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 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

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 am proud and honoured to be a trainee of Dr Lynne Souter - Anderson.

As founder of the Clay Therapy Community, in 2012 Dr Souter- Anderson established a pioneering clay therapy training in the United Kingdom. Dr Lynne’s private practice is in Cambridgeshire, UK where she offers psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, clinical supervision and consultancy work. Her expertise in the field of clay therapy, the creative arts and sand play therapy is acknowledged through invitations to present training and conference workshops across the globe and most recently in Bali. Dr Souter - Anderson who has a lifetime of experience immersed in clay work, clay play and clay modelling. Dr Souter- Anderson's lineage includes some five generations of artisan potters from Leeds, UK.

It could be said, that clay is in her bloodline – in her DNA!

Dr Lynne Souter Anderson is author of Touching Clay, Touching What? The Use of Clay in Therapy (2010), Making Meaning: Clay Therapy with Children and Adolescents (2015) and Seeking Shelter, Seeking Safety. Clay Therapy with Families and Groups (2019).

KASIA KOWALSKA

YOUR
HEALING
ARTS

Therapeutic use of Clay