Field of Wildflowers

Expressive & collaborative Arts Therapy practice

The Field of Wildflowers is a terrain on which Arts Therapy is based on creative exploration, group facilitation as well as collaborative work.  If you work in the Field of Wildflowers, you might enjoy being part of community creative projects, art and wellbeing group workshops, and/or expressive arts-based sessions.  Here, amongst the ‘wildflowers’, you might find yourself supporting clients in delving into their creativity in group or collective settings, often in dynamic and playful ways!

As a practitioner in the Field of Wildflowers, you likely enjoy creating spaces for people to collectively explore and engage in artmaking in ways that are expressive and authentic.  This terrain inspires, encourages, and nurtures creativity rooted in collaborative processes, social connection, and, of course, the shared creative human experience.  With values such as curiosity, emergence and spontaneity, this work can inspire the collective to bloom in potentially unexpected places

Sustainability and limits

Work in the Field of Wildflowers can be creatively inspiring and, at times, energising, but it also requires careful attention to group dynamics and processes (as well as trauma-informed practice and cultural awareness). In this terrain, it is important to carefully balance individual needs whilst maintaining the group’s energy. To prevent burnout, ongoing self-reflection and support are essential. Also consider what inspires you in day-to-day life.

In context to the wider ecology

The Field of Wildflowers is a space that can provide wonderful, fertile ground for you to encourage new perspectives and build community connections. This terrain provides a multitude of opportunities for participants to express themselves in a shared, collaborative environment- think of flowers blooming together in a kaleidoscope of creative expression!

Species found in the Field of Wildflowers

Although practitioners may move and migrate across multiple terrains in the Arts Therapy Ecology Map, the following species are often at home within the Field of Wildflowers:

Pollinators
Like a buzzy little bee helping to build a new hive, this species loves environments where community engagement, connection, and new ideas can flourish. Their speciality is to help inspire creativity in others, by sprinkling artistic inspiration wherever they go- and like pollen, this can help others to bloom.

Bridge Builders

This species enjoys bringing people together. They effectively serve as a bridge for people to meet and be part of a collective. They also enjoy supporting people as they explore complex emotions and help them to integrate new found discoveries into their lives- effectively building a bridge between inner and outer realities.

Companion Plants
As their name suggests, this species enjoys companioning people as they explore their creativity. Their speciality in the Field of Wildflowers is also to attune to both individual and group needs, whilst also ensuring a level of emotional safety for everyone involved. They are able to do this by keeping a steady and relational presence within a group space.

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