Mindful Arts Therapy

Creativity is often described as self‑expression, imagination, or the act of making something new — but inside Mindful Arts Therapy, we explore creativity as something much deeper. Here, creativity becomes a profound act of self‑love. It’s a way of tending to your inner world with care, curiosity, and compassion.

When you create, you’re not simply making art. You’re giving yourself permission to exist beyond roles, expectations, and responsibilities. You’re quietly affirming: My inner life matters. My voice matters. My presence matters.

This podcast is a gentle space where creativity isn’t about perfection or performance. It’s about offering yourself soft attention, honouring your inner landscape, and reconnecting with the parts of you that long to be seen and heard. Each episode invites you to breathe, settle in, and explore how creative practice can become one of the most loving gifts you offer yourself.

This is a special espisode where I share a guided meditation I wrote to help me heal a tortuous memory that had been so well buried, I had forgotten about it. That was until recently.

The forgotten memory had been quietly resting beneath decades of family life, work, and the everyday rhythm of being human. When it surfaced, it asked not to be pushed aside, but to be felt, explored, and honoured.

This meditation is the result of that soul‑searching. It isthe bridge I had to cross so the memory wouldn’t consume me but instead transform me.

You may have memories like this too—some blurred, some notyet awake. This offering, A Bridge to Self‑Compassion, is a gentle walk through a forest toward a place of clarity and inner strength. I share it with you wholeheartedly.

As you read this, you might already be telling yourself that you aren’t creative — or that you’re simply not creative enough. But pause for a moment and look around your life. Do you cook with intuition? Tend a garden with care? Arrange your home so it feels comforting and uniquely yours? These are all forms of creativity. They are living proof that you already create every single day.

Somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed the idea that creativity must be perfect to “count.” That it should be judged, graded, or held up for comparison. But that belief never came from your inner creative self. It came from classrooms, criticism, and the pressure to perform.

When you slow down and look closely, you realise that perfection was never part of creativity’s original purpose. Creativity was meant to be alive, curious, messy, and deeply human. It was meant to help you express what words can’t hold — not to meet someone else’s standard.

Welcome to the Mindful Arts Therapy Podcast. Today, we’re exploring something many of us crave but often struggle to find in the rush of everyday life — a sense of groundedness. This episode, The Art of Grounded Living: Five Ways to Feel Safe and Present, is an invitation to slow down, soften your pace, and reconnect with the steadiness that already lives within you.

Groundedness isn’t about perfection or control; it’s about learning to return to yourself with kindness. Through simple, creative, body‑based practices, we’ll look at how you can gently anchor your attention, calm your nervous system, and create moments of safety in the middle of whatever life is offering. These are practices you can carry into your day, your relationships, and your inner world.

So take a breath, settle in, and let this be a small sanctuary — a place where you can pause, reconnect, and remember that you are allowed to feel steady, supported, and present. Let’s begin.

Today on Mindful Arts Therapy, I’m joined by the remarkable Nesha Mistry — the heart and hands behind Canvas Creations. Nesha’s art is woven from real lived experience: years marked by bullying, heartbreak, and the kind of deep loneliness that can settle into the body. She has also lived through the experience of suicide, and her story includes themes of self‑harm and survival.

These topics will be part of our conversation today, so please listen with care. If you need to pause, step away, or reach out for professional support, honour that need.

Nesha speaks with a rare honesty about the moments that almost broke her, and the small, unexpected lifeline that helped her begin again — a simple box of paints. What started as a quiet act of self‑preservation slowly grew into a creative practice that now helps others feel seen, supported, and less alone.

Through Canvas Creations, Nesha transforms pain into colour, connection, and hope. Her art isn’t just something she makes; it’s something that helped save her. And today, she’s here to share that story with us.

In this special episode, I’m delighted to share a recent conversation I had with Robyn Hunter on Alice’s Restaurant. We spoke about my new book, The Healing Power of Mindful Arts Therapy, and explored how gentle creative practices can help us reconnect with ourselves, soften old patterns, and find steadiness in difficult seasons of life.

Robyn asked such thoughtful questions, and together we touched on the heart of why mindful art-making matters — especially for women who have spent years caring for others before themselves. I’m so pleased to bring this interview to you here on the podcast, and I hope it offers a moment of calm inspiration in your day.

Welcome to Mindful Arts Therapy. I’m so glad you’re here.

In today’s episode, we’re slowing everything right down. Together, we’ll explore how gentle, rhythmic creative movement can soothe an overwhelmed nervous system and help you return to a steadier, more grounded place inside yourself.

This isn’t about making art or getting anything “right”. It’s about letting your body exhale. It’s about finding a rhythm that feels safe, soft, and supportive — a rhythm that reminds your whole system that it doesn’t have to brace or rush.

So take a slow breath, settle your shoulders, and let’s begin.

Emotional resilience is the inner capacity that helps us stay steady, flexible, and connected to ourselves when life becomes challenging. It isn’t about avoiding difficult feelings or pretending everything is fine. Instead, it’s the ability to move through stress, uncertainty, and change without losing our sense of who we are. In a world where pressures can shift quickly and unexpected events can shake our foundations, emotional resilience becomes a vital anchor. It allows us to meet life’s ups and downs with greater clarity, compassion, and adaptability.

Emotional resilience refers to our ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity, stress, or trauma. It is not about avoiding difficult situations but rather about how we respond to them. It empowers us to stay strong amidst the storm, to remain optimistic even when faced with setbacks, and to keep pushing forward towards our goals.

The Role of Intuition in Art Therapy

In this episode, we explore the quiet, steady wisdom of intuition and the powerful role it plays in the art‑making process. Intuition is often misunderstood as something mystical or elusive, but in art therapy it becomes a practical, compassionate guide — helping you choose colours, shapes, textures, and movements that speak directly from your inner world.

Together, we look at how intuitive mark‑making can bypass self‑criticism, soften perfectionism, and create a sense of emotional safety. You’ll hear how following small creative impulses can open pathways to insight, grounding, and gentle self‑connection, especially for those rebuilding a sense of self after years of caring for others.

Whether you’re an artist, a therapist, or someone simply longing for a more authentic relationship with your creativity, this episode invites you to slow down, listen inward, and trust the quiet nudges that arise when you give yourself permission to create without pressure.

This gentle episode of the Mindful Arts Therapy podcast invites you to pause, exhale, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that may have been set aside while caring for everyone else. Through soothing reflection and simple creative practices, you’ll explore how to rebuild your inner landscape with tenderness — slowly, steadily, and in ways that honour your lived experience. If you’re feeling worn thin, invisible, or unsure of who you are beyond your responsibilities, this conversation offers a soft place to land and begin again.

Art therapy offers a gentle, curious way to explore your new life as an empty nester. After years of moving through routines, responsibilities, and the constant hum of caring for others, it can feel strange to suddenly have space again.

Creative expression gives you a soft-landing place—a way to slow down, breathe, and meet yourself without pressure or expectation. It becomes a doorway into this next chapter, one that invites exploration rather than fear.

There are moments in a woman’s life when emotions gather faster than she can name them. Life shifts quietly but powerfully—children grow, relationships evolve, work changes, the body softens and ages, and long‑held roles begin to loosen. And in all of that, feelings can rise like a tide, layered and complex, arriving before there’s time or language to understand them.

As responsibilities shift and identity reshapes itself, those unspoken emotions often settle into the body. The shoulders tighten, the breath shortens, and the mind fills with thoughts that never quite form into words. Many women carry this weight silently, moving through their days with strength on the outside while their inner world feels tangled and full. This is where gentle creative expression becomes more than art—it becomes a way back to clarity, grounding, and yourself.

Regulating the Nervous System Through Slow, Rhythmic Creativity

In this soothing episode of Mindful Arts Therapy, we explore how slow, rhythmic creativity can gently settle the nervous system and bring you back into a grounded, steady place. When life feels fast or overwhelming, these small creative rhythms become a soft anchor — a way to reconnect with your breath, your body, and your inner sense of calm.

I’ll guide you through a simple but powerful exercise designed to help your whole system exhale. No pressure, no perfection — just a quiet moment to soften, regulate, and return to yourself through mindful, creative movement.

Settle in, take a slow breath, and let’s begin.

In this calming episode of Mindful Arts Therapy, you’ll explore five simple, nourishing art practices designed to help you feel grounded, supported, and more connected to yourself. These tips are gentle, accessible, and created for anyone — no art skills needed, just a willingness to slow down and breathe.

Together, we’ll soften the nervous system, quiet the inner critic, and make space for small creative moments that bring you back home to your body and your heart. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or simply craving a moment of peace, these mindful art tips will guide you toward steadiness and self‑support.

Settle in, take a slow breath, and let’s create a little calm together.

Discover more -

In this episode, we explore the idea of “worry windows” — small, intentional pockets of time where you gently acknowledge your worries rather than letting them run your whole day.

In art therapy, worry windows become a compassionate container: a place to externalise anxious thoughts through colour, line, and simple creative rituals.

You’ll learn how this practice helps calm the nervous system, create emotional boundaries, and make space for clarity and ease. It’s a soft, grounding conversation for anyone who feels overwhelmed and wants a kinder way to meet their inner world.

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🌸 Healing the Inner Child is a gentle, trauma-informed podcast that invites listeners to reconnect with their most tender selves. Through soothing reflections, creative prompts, and compassionate storytelling, each episode offers a safe space to explore childhood wounds, reclaim joy, and nurture emotional resilience. Whether you're a therapist, a seeker, or simply curious, this podcast is a soft landing for anyone ready to heal, play, and grow.

Ready to invite more creativity into your life? Here's how Mindful Arts Therapy by Susan Day can support your journey:

🎨 "How Different Hues Affect Mood and Nervous System Regulation" invites you on a sensory-rich journey into the world of color psychology and somatic healing. Hosted by mindful arts coach Susan Day, this podcast blends creativity and neuroscience to explore how color influences emotional wellbeing, stress response, and nervous system regulation.

Whether you’re a therapist, artist, or curious soul, each episode offers practical insight into using color intentionally—from calming palettes that support vagus nerve activation to vibrant tones that energize and uplift.

🌈 Tune in to learn how different hues speak to your body and brain—guiding you toward resilience, balance, and deeper self-awareness.

✨ Ready to invite more creativity into your life? Here's how Mindful Arts Therapy by Susan Day can support your journey:

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of art therapy podcasts as gentle companions for your emotional wellbeing. Discover how soundscapes of creativity, guided reflections, and mindful prompts can help regulate the nervous system, foster self-expression, and inspire resilience—right from your headphones. Whether you're an art therapy practitioner or simply seeking a moment of calm, this conversation invites you to paint peace into your daily rhythm.

🌿 Art therapy doesn’t have to live within the walls of a studio or clinic.

Creative expression can be a gentle, daily ritual—one that helps soothe your nervous system, unlock insight, and clear emotional roadblocks. 🎨

Whether you’re painting, journaling, or simply filling a page with color, these acts of creation can be deeply healing.

🖌️ There’s no need for perfection—just curiosity, presence, and a willingness to play.

✨ Ready to invite more creativity into your life? Here's how Mindful Arts Therapy by Susan Day can support your journey:

Can AI Replace Your Therapist?—we're delving into one of the most provocative questions of our time. With the rise of artificial intelligence in mental health support, we’re unpacking what's gained, what’s lost, and what truly makes a therapeutic relationship meaningful. Is empathy something only humans can offer? Or could a well-trained algorithm hold space too? Let’s explore the line between support and substitution.

🌿 Art therapy doesn’t have to live within the walls of a studio or clinic. Creative expression can be a gentle, daily ritual—one that helps soothe your nervous system, unlock insight, and clear emotional roadblocks.

🎨Whether you’re painting, journaling, or simply filling a page with color, these acts of creation can be deeply healing. 🖌️ There’s no need for perfection—just curiosity, presence, and a willingness to play.

✨ Ready to invite more creativity into your life? Here's how Mindful Arts Therapy by Susan Day can support your journey:

Glimmers and Your Mental Health with Mindful Arts Therapy by Susan Day

Discover the quiet power of glimmers—those small, uplifting moments that signal safety, joy, and connection. I’m Susan Day, founder of Mindful Arts Therapy, and in this podcast we explore how noticing and nurturing these micro-moments can support emotional regulation, resilience, and healing. Through reflective conversations, creative prompts, and gentle guidance, each episode invites you to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with your inner calm. Whether you're a therapist, a creative spirit, or simply seeking more light in your day, this is your space to find beauty in the little things.

🎨 "How Different Hues Affect Mood and Nervous System Regulation" invites you on a sensory-rich journey into the world of color psychology and somatic healing. Hosted by mindful arts coach Susan Day, this podcast blends creativity and neuroscience to explore how color influences emotional wellbeing, stress response, and nervous system regulation.

Whether you’re a therapist, artist, or curious soul, each episode offers practical insight into using color intentionally—from calming palettes that support vagus nerve activation to vibrant tones that energize and uplift.

🌈 Tune in to learn how different hues speak to your body and brain—guiding you toward resilience, balance, and deeper self-awareness.

Perfect for creatives, wellness seekers, and neurodivergent listeners ready to reclaim their emotional palette.

✨ Ready to invite more creativity into your life? Here's how Mindful Arts Therapy by Susan Day can support your journey:

Let Them Theory & Mindful Arts Therapy with Susan Day

Welcome to a podcast where radical acceptance meets creative healing. I'm Susan Day, founder of Mindful Arts Therapy, and in this space, we explore the transformative power of letting go—of expectations, control, and self-doubt—while embracing mindful creativity as a path to emotional resilience.

Each episode blends the wisdom of the Let Them Theory with expressive arts practices, offering reflective tools, soulful insights, and gentle encouragement to help you reconnect with your inner world. Whether you're a therapist, a creative spirit, or simply seeking peace, this podcast invites you to pause, breathe, and rediscover the art of being.

If this has whetted your appetite for art therapy, you are more than welcome to explore what Mindful Arts Therapy has to offer:

In a recent interview on Goldfields FM, Susan Day, founder of Mindful Arts Therapy, delved into common misconceptions about art therapy and its transformative role in supporting adults on the autism spectrum. She shared how creative expression can serve as a powerful tool for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and connection. The conversation offered a heartfelt look at how art therapy fosters inclusivity and empowers neurodiverse individuals in deeply meaningful ways.

If this has whetted your appetite for art therapy, you are more than welcome to explore what Mindful Arts Therapy has to offer:

Autism in Adults

An expanding field of research is shedding light on the nuanced experiences of adults who have lived much of their lives without an autism diagnosis—often carrying a persistent sense of difference without the language or framework to understand why. Many of these individuals, now coming into self-recognition or formal diagnosis later in life, have developed intricate coping strategies to navigate a world not designed for their neurology. Listen to discover more and how Mindful Arts Therapy can support those who have been diagnosed with autism as an adult.

In this episode, we look at emotional intelligence, what it is and how it can impact personal relationships, the workplace and how we will be connecting with technology in the future.

So, let's dive in!

If this has whetted your appetite for art therapy, you are more than welcome to explore what Mindful Arts Therapy has to offer:

Join Susan from Mindful Arts Therapy as she is interviewed by Robyn on Goldfields FM. Learn about what inspired Susan to become an arts therapist, write lots of books and delve into her latest work - Creative Ideas to Cope with Pet Loss. Please note, this show was edited from a live recording and songs and adverts were removed.

A Guided Meditation for Moving Forward

Welcome to a guided meditation to explore the healing step of moving forward. This meditation comes from the book, Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy. This book explores seven steps to healing trauma. This book will also showcase how mindfulness and arts therapy can be used to help you identify, acknowledge and walk through each step to empower your healing journey. It offers a greater understanding of what it means to heal and recover fully from a traumatic experience.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing an awareness and acknowledging one's pain in the first steps. The final steps involve integrating the lessons learned and undergoing a transformation that leads to a renewed sense of self.

A Guided Meditation for Forgiveness

Welcome to a guided meditation to explore the healing step of forgiveness. This meditation comes from the book, Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy. This book explores seven steps to healing trauma. This book will also showcase how mindfulness and arts therapy can be used to help you identify, acknowledge and walk through each step to empower your healing journey. It offers a greater understanding of what it means to heal and recover fully from a traumatic experience.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing an awareness and acknowledging one's pain in the first steps. The final steps involve integrating the lessons learned and undergoing a transformation that leads to a renewed sense of self.

A Guided Meditation for Grieving

Welcome to a guided meditation to explore the healing step of grieving. This meditation comes from the book, Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy. This book explores seven steps to healing trauma. This book will also showcase how mindfulness and arts therapy can be used to help you identify, acknowledge and walk through each step to empower your healing journey. It offers a greater understanding of what it means to heal and recover fully from a traumatic experience.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing an awareness and acknowledging one's pain in the first steps. The final steps involve integrating the lessons learned and undergoing a transformation that leads to a renewed sense of self.

A Guided Meditation for Processing Emotional Trauma

Welcome to a guided meditation to explore the healing step of processing. This meditation comes from the book, Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy.

This book explores seven steps to healing trauma. This book will also showcase how mindfulness and arts therapy can be used to help you identify, acknowledge and walk through each step to empower your healing journey. It offers a greater understanding of what it means to heal and recover fully from a traumatic experience.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing an awareness and acknowledging one's pain in the first steps. The final steps involve integrating the lessons learned and undergoing a transformation that leads to a renewed sense of self.

A Guided Meditation for Acceptance

Welcome to a guided meditation to explore acceptance. This meditation comes from the book, Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy. This book explores seven steps to healing trauma. This book will also showcase how mindfulness and arts therapy can be used to help you identify, acknowledge and walk through each step to empower your healing journey. It offers a greater understanding of what it means to heal and recover fully from a traumatic experience.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing an awareness and acknowledging one's pain in the first steps. The final steps involve integrating the lessons learned and undergoing a transformation that leads to a renewed sense of self.

A Guided Meditation to Explore Acknowledgement

Welcome to a guided meditation to explore acknowledgement. This meditation comes from the book, Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy. This book explores seven steps to healing trauma. This book will also showcase how mindfulness and arts therapy can be used to help you identify, acknowledge and walk through each step to empower your healing journey. It offers a greater understanding of what it means to heal and recover fully from a traumatic experience.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing an awareness and acknowledging one's pain in the first steps. The final steps involve integrating the lessons learned and undergoing a transformation that leads to a renewed sense of self.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy is a comprehensive book that explores seven steps to healing trauma. This book will also showcase how mindfulness and arts therapy can be used to help you identify, acknowledge and walk through each step to empower your healing journey. It offers a greater understanding of what it means to heal and recover fully from a traumatic experience.

Each person travels their own journey of healing in different ways. Some may move quickly through the seven steps only to find they need to revisit them, while othersmove slowly. Everyone is unique and so is your healing journey.

Seven Steps to Healing Trauma with Mindful Arts Therapy emphasizes the importance of developing an awareness and acknowledging one's pain in the first steps. The final steps involve integrating the lessons learned and undergoing a transformation that leads to a renewed sense of self.

Art therapy doesn't have to be limited to formal sessions with a trained therapist. There are numerous ways to incorporate art therapy into your daily life to overcome creative blocks.

Engaging in creative activities, such as painting, writing, or even coloring, can provide therapeutic benefits. Experiment with different mediums and techniques to find what resonates with you. The important thing is to create without judgment, allowing your creativity to flow without pressure.

So, let's dive in!

Creative blocks can be frustrating and debilitating, leaving us feeling stuck and unable to express ourselves. Luckily, there is an effective and innovative solution, which can be found in arts therapy. In this podcast, we will explore the world of arts therapy and how it can help us overcome those creative hurdles that hold us back.

So, let's dive in!

Combining the power of self-reflection and creative expression, journaling therapy and arts therapy can help you navigate their emotions, reduce stress, and unlock your inner potential. In this podcast, Susan Day, arts therapist and author, will explore the various aspects of journaling and arts therapy, delve into their psychological benefits and encourage you to incorporate them into your daily life. Let's dive in!

Do you need to be more productive? Are you tired of being left behind? Is your workspace cluttered with unfinished projects?

In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, finding ways to boost productivity is a top priority for many. We often resort to tools and techniques that promise to enhance our efficiency, such as time management systems and productivity apps. However, have you ever considered the potential of incorporating art into your productivity routine? Art-breaks, a concept that combines artistic activities and short breaks, can be a powerful tool in increasing your productivity and overall well-being.

In this episode, we take a look at music therapy and compare it to art therapy. Can they be used together? What’s involved in music therapy and whom can it help? All these questions answered and more!

Have you heard of art therapy before? Do you think it’s not for you because you aren’t good at art or you believe you aren’t creative? Wrong! The four biggest myths of art therapy are debunked in this entertaining podcast by Susan Day, art therapist and author.

Let's take a quick look at the 6 main advantages of art therapy. This episode gives you an overview of what these advantages are and how art therapy can have a positive impact on your life.

Looking for a creative way to improve your well-being and foster personal growth? Mindful Art Therapy might be just what you need! This unique approach combines the principles of mindfulness and the power of artistic expression to promote self-discovery, emotional healing, and personal transformation.

Mindful art therapy is a therapeutic approach that combines mindfulness practices with creative self-expression. It aims to enhance self-awareness, reduce stress, and promote personal growth through engaging in art-making activities.

It's important to consider how we can better equip our preteens to navigate the road ahead. They are entering an important time of their lives, and the stronger their self-esteem is, the more they will be able to cope with the challenges that lie ahead of them.

Do you the difference between emotions, moods and feelings? And if you do, why are they important for your mental health? Well, tune and listen to this podcast to discover why.

So, what is finding your true self really about? What is an inner voice and where can you find your inner wisdom? In this podcast, we check out all those things and discover how mindful arts therapy can help. There are also a few of my fav art therapy activities to help you connect with your true self.

Pregnancy is a tremendously important time in a woman's life. There are so many changes happening. Mindful Arts Therapy can help build confidence, voice feelings and be calmer.

Have you ever wondered what is happening to your brain when you practice art? Well, in this podcast we take a quick look at the effects of mindful arts and how you can get the best out of using it at home.

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we may be called on to do in our lives. However, it doesn't mean forgetting or making excuses for our perpetrator's actions. More so, forgiveness can not only give us peace, but also empower us to live richer and fulfilling lives.

Whether we know it or not, color has a significant impact in our day to day lives. The colors we choose to wear, decorate our home and work in, all impact our mood, behavior and our productivity.