Beyond “How Does That Make You Feel?”—The Power of Creative and Unconventional Therapy
When I think about therapy, I don’t picture a quiet room, a clipboard, or a chair set across from a therapist. I picture dogs, a cat, chickens, a tortoise, and a bunny. I picture fabric, sewing needles, art supplies, beads, and hands busy creating something real. I’ve never believed in a cookie-cutter approach to therapy, where a therapist sticks to a script. This standard way doesn’t work for everyone, and it certainly doesn’t work for people who have lived through real trauma.
Having worked in inpatient hospitalization with defiant adolescents, people struggling with chemical dependency, and families caught in the middle of it all, I understand the critical role structured hospital settings play in mental health care. I remain committed to the belief that, depending on the acuity of the case, some kids, adolescents, and adults truly need the hospital approach to stabilize, gain support, and find safety. I regularly refer patients to various hospitals at the inpatient or partial hospitalization levels, depending on their needs, to make sure they receive the most appropriate care. This level of care can be life-changing, especially during crisis moments.
Still, I’ve also learned that, once clients leave those structured environments, they often need something different—an approach that goes beyond the clinical setting and lets them explore new ways to connect, create, and grow.
One experience during my graduate internship set this path for me. I was assigned to work with a young boy, a big kid who had been through a lifetime of pain in his few short years. He’d watched his dad shoot and kill his mom. The two of us sat down in a small room, me with a script in my head and him with an unimaginable weight on his shoulders. I opened with the question I’d been trained to ask: “How does that make you feel?”
What happened next changed my approach for good. He stood up, threw the table across the room, and yelled, “How in the hell do you think I feel?” And he was absolutely right. The textbook approach had nothing to offer this kid. I knew right then that I’d never be a typical therapist. I would never ask this question again…I needed to pull from my child and adolescent undergrad and create something that actually works.
Sometimes, we need “different”.
Instead, I created a therapy space where healing looks different. Here, people find not just a chair to sit in, but animals and art supplies, sewing kits, jewelry materials, and things to work with. Art and creativity give people an outlet beyond words. Fabric and thread can hold together more than seams; they help stitch together feelings that words can’t reach. Animals are part of this space, too, because they connect with people in ways that go beyond what we can say.
Each of the animals brings something unique. Dogs offer acceptance without conditions, the cat quietly senses and calms tension, the chickens are just fun and comforting to hold, and the tortoise is the perfect teacher of patience and trust. Kids and adults alike find calm and connection with them, getting to feel a bond that isn’t forced or scripted.
The art and creative work open a different door. Whether painting, sewing, or making jewelry, the act of creating lets people express emotions without needing to pin them down in words. Fabric, colors, textures, and beads let people find their own voice in a way that feels natural, sometimes even easier than trying to explain it.
Therapy here isn’t about fitting into a pre-made mold. It’s about finding a way to express and connect that actually fits the person. I left the traditional clinical script behind, choosing instead to work with real, tangible ways to heal. And so far, it’s made all the difference. Here, animals, creativity, and the freedom to just “be” lead the way, and that’s exactly how it should be.
The uniqueness of sewing activities in therapy.
Last month, we focused on the magic of pet-assisted therapy.
Our team of therapy pets have a natural ability to connect with people—whether kids, teens, or adults. They know how to calm the room, break the ice, and provide support in ways humans can’t.
This month centers around art therapy and more specifically about the uniqueness of sewing activities in therapy, “Sewing in Therapy: Creating Tangible Tools for Emotional Growth“. In this article, we talk about my goal with every single kid who walks through my door which is to empower them to have a voice. I accompany them on a journey to find their feelings, feel them, and process through them. Fabric and thread can hold together more than seams; they help stitch together feelings that words can’t reach.
Are you searching for a therapy experience that breaks the mold?
At our space, healing takes on a whole new meaning. Here, therapy goes beyond the traditional chair and conversation—it’s a place filled with animals, art supplies, sewing kits, jewelry-making materials, and creative tools that allow you to express and explore beyond words. Through art and creativity, you’ll discover outlets that help piece together emotions words cannot fully capture. Animals are an integral part of this process, offering connection and comfort in ways that words simply can’t. Together, we’ll create a unique and personal path to your healing journey.
If you are struggling right now, let’s talk. You can book an in-person or virtual visit.
Email or call anytime to schedule an in-person or virtual session. (817) 701-5438 | beckylennox2018@gmail.com
Speaking Truth,
