Not all therapy looks like talking

🖼️ Some therapy doesn’t come in words. And that’s exactly the point.

It’s World Art Day this week - a celebration of creativity and self-expression in all its forms.

And it’s got me thinking. Not just about art therapy, but about all the types of therapy that rarely get airtime.

Because while talking therapy is what most people imagine, it’s far from the only option - and often not the best one for neurodivergent people.

Today I’m talking about:

• Info: Different types of therapy

• Tips: How to support yourself and others

• Recommendations: A brilliant book and a website packed full of art therapists

🧠 Words aren’t always the answer

Traditional therapy often looks like this: sitting face-to-face, describing feelings, reflecting verbally. That can work beautifully for some. But it also assumes:

• You can name what you feel.

• You prefer talking to processing.

• You feel safe in silence or eye contact.

• You’re okay being observed and asked direct questions.

For many neurodivergent people, that’s a huge mismatch.

Sensory needs, alexithymia (difficulty/inability recognising or describing one’s own emotions), trauma history, burnout, social anxiety - all of these can make talking therapy feel inaccessible or even unsafe.

But here's the truth: Just because someone can’t talk about their emotions doesn’t mean they don’t feel them.

We need therapies that meet people where they are, not where the system expects them to be.

🎨 Let’s talk about what else is out there

Here’s a round-up of some lesser-known (but powerful) therapies that offer alternatives - or companions - to traditional talking therapy:

🎨 Art therapy

Drawing, painting, collage, clay - a space to process and express without words. It’s calming, empowering, and helps people externalise what they can’t say aloud.

🎭 Drama and movement therapy

Think play, role-play, storytelling, movement and improvisation - not Shakespeare! It’s great for exploring difficult experiences in symbolic or safe ways.

🎵 Music therapy

Listening, composing, or simply exploring rhythm. Music can regulate the nervous system and help people express emotion or build connection.

🧘 Somatic therapy / Body-based therapy

This includes yoga therapy, dance movement therapy, or somatic experiencing. These focus on where emotions live in the body, not just the brain.

🐴 Equine therapy

Working with horses builds emotional regulation, trust, and confidence. Horses respond to body language and energy, making them brilliant co-regulators.

🌳 Nature-based therapy

Also known as eco-therapy. Gardening, forest bathing, or just being in nature can reduce stress, restore sensory balance, and offer non-verbal healing.

🧗 Adventure & play therapy

Used often with children - but helpful for adults too. Think climbing walls, sensory play, role-play or exploration to support emotional expression.

💻 VR and game-based therapy

Safe, controlled digital spaces - especially useful for social anxiety in a low-pressure environment.

🖐 Craft, tactile, or repetitive therapies

Knitting, felting, woodworking, LEGO therapy. These soothe the nervous system and give people a calming, structured outlet for focus and emotion.

🛠️ Practical tips

You don’t need to be a therapist to create space for different types of healing.

Here’s how you can start making a difference:

• 🔎 Expand your mental list of “valid” therapy - Talking therapy isn’t the only option.

• 📢 Ask about workplace benefits - Are alternative therapies included in your EAP (employee assistance programme) or private health offering?

• 💬 Normalise non-verbal processing - Not everyone wants (or needs) to talk.

• 👂 Believe people’s experiences - If someone says a therapy didn’t work, ask what has helped.

• 🧩 Use multi-modal support in schools and work - Think gardening clubs, drama workshops, music-making, mindfulness walks, creative journaling.

📚 Recommended resources

📖 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
How trauma lodges in the body - and why movement, rhythm, and sensation can help heal.

🌐 British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
Find qualified professionals, learn about the benefits, and explore further reading.

🧠 Final thought

Therapy should never be one-size-fits-all.

Whether it’s through paint, paddling, plants, or play - healing comes in many forms.
Let’s keep making space for the ones that don’t come with a clipboard and a couch.

Speak soon,
Jess

PS Whenever you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:

• Join the waitlist for our next NeuroNavigator programme and become a certified Neurodiversity Champion. Doors open June 2025 for Sept start.

• Want me to speak in your organisation? Head here to book a chat and make a plan.

• Book a FREE Discovery call to chat through how I can support your workplace, your school or your family.