Creativity, Insight, and the Inner World

I enjoy working with creative people across many disciplines, including artists, musicians, writers, and analytical individuals whose creativity presents through curiosity, systems thinking, and problem-solving.

There are many different ways we can integrate creativity when we are exploring identity, your inner world, and self-expression. For example, you might choose to share music, bring in a sketch, reflect on a dream, or discuss a journal entry.

From a depth psychology perspective, creative practices can help communicate what is difficult to express. A song can convey complex emotion, and a single image from a dream can speak volumes.

Identity, Authenticity, and the Inner World

Identity unfolds over time and across the lifespan. As circumstances change and insight deepens, new aspects of the self may seek expression. Periods of uncertainty or questioning can reflect important inner movements, signaling the psyche’s effort to integrate experience, renegotiate meaning, and move toward greater wholeness.

It’s normal for adolescents, young adults, and college students to question how they see themselves and to focus closely on relationships and friendships while changing how they relate to their families. Often there is a pressure to discover who they are, commit to a career path, and also enjoy this time of their life and make the most of it. Our culture tends to glorify youth. In reality, adolescents and young adults may struggle with uncertainty, intense emotions, and the frequent changes common during these years.

Other life transitions that can impact our sense of self include marriage or partnership, divorce or break-ups, parenthood or deciding to be child-free, job change or retirement, friendship changes, grief and loss, health problems, traumatic experiences, and other changes that affect our sense of security, purpose, and stability.

Therapy for Life Transitions & Identity

Many people seek therapy during periods of identity exploration or transition. Therapy may include trauma reprocessing, grief work, questioning religious beliefs or navigating religious deconstruction, exploring gender, sexuality, or sexual orientation, or differentiating from family, cultural, or community systems.

Some people who feel stuck in these areas can benefit from support with avoidance, anxiety, dissociation, or a feeling of disconnection from oneself and others. In therapy, we can respect who you are and what has helped you survive up to this point, while gently exploring changes that feel more aligned with your values and sense of meaning.

In our work together, we may explore:

• Religious deconstruction or shifts in beliefs, including coming out as agnostic or atheist after being raised in a faith tradition
• Sexuality and identity exploration in a supportive, non-pathologizing space
• Differentiating from family or systemic pressures while remaining connected where possible (this can include working on boundary-setting and communication skills)
• Shame, fear, or grief that can arise when longstanding identities or beliefs begin to change
• Developing self-understanding and identifying actions that support more authentic ways of living

Creative and symbolic forms of expression, such as metaphor, imagery, journaling, or dream material, can be especially helpful when identity questions feel complex or emotionally layered. These approaches can allow insight to emerge gradually, honoring both the parts of you that are changing and the parts that have helped you survive.

My Creative Practices

Some people discover my practice after encountering my writing. Even though I am comfortable drawing from my lived experience as a writer when it is beneficial for my clients, I typically keep my author life and my therapy practice separate and distinct. Maintaining these boundaries honors the integrity of the therapeutic work while allowing the creative work to stand on its own.

Too Jagged to Hold is a poetry collection inspired by my experiences of long-term trauma recovery. The material may be activating for some readers.

This website is dedicated solely to my psychotherapy practice. If you are a current or prospective client, you’ll find information here about my approach, specialties, and services. If you’re interested in my writing, including my poetry collection Too Jagged to Hold, you can visit my author website at kghornung.com.

In addition to writing, I practice a number of hobbies that support my self-care and recovery. Some examples include baking, cooking, knitting, building with Legos, nature photography, and acrylic painting.

I have found that low-stakes creative play and hobbies can be very helpful for stress reduction, emotion regulation, and to support integration during trauma therapy or EMDR.

Depth-Oriented Creative Expression Within Therapy

Embracing creativity within therapy can include:

• Exploring your inner world through metaphor, imagery, or symbolic language
• Using journaling, dreams, or free-writing to access deeper layers of experience
• Bringing in creative work (music, drawings, writing) to share and reflect on
• Processing important psychological material through art, stories, fantasies, dreams, or intuitive expression
• Supporting insight, meaning-making, and integration

This is not formal expressive-arts therapy, and no one is ever expected to write or create, although I often encourage people to practice what brings them joy and to experiment with hobbies. Creative expression is just one pathway to exploring identity, understanding emotions, and gaining insight. Clients who are drawn to metaphor, imagination, or symbolic thinking may especially appreciate this approach.

Reach out today to schedule a free 15 to 30 minute consultation: Let’s see if we’re a good fit! Email me with your availability and we can find a time to connect at kristen@kristenhornung.com or call me at (619) 202-1481

Have questions about logistics? Check out my FAQ page.