The Collage Coaching Technique™ Q&A

The Collage Coaching Technique™ (CCT) is an arts-based approach to coaching that reconnects you to your intuition. A powerful way to get unstuck as you explore and express the hidden experiences and mindsets that influence how you feel, think, and behave. Inspired by your creativity, you’ll feel motivated to make choices and changes that enable you to move confidently towards a future that excites you. Here are answers to just some of the questions I get asked about the process.

Who invented The Collage Coaching Technique™ CCT was pioneered by psychologist Andréa Watts. Andréa has a wealth of experience working with arts-based methodologies, but it wasn’t until she starting engaging with coaches that she had the breakthrough idea of how valuable collage could be in facilitating an open, honest and meaningful dialogue with the self.. She currently works with clients that include; Google, Imperial College, London, Moet Hennessey and the US Air-Force.

Whilst CCT is ostensibly based on Jung’s theory that, images are, ‘connected to the individual by the bridge of the emotions’. Thhe 3-step process also draws heavily on other influences within the fields of creativity, storytelling, metaphors and mindfulness. And science. Let’s not forget science.

Collage is art, right? Yes and no. The terms was first used in artist circles by the Cubists (although the Chinese invented paper and a form of collage around 200BC). Then came the marketing folk in the early 1990s,- collage was used to create mood boards for qualitative research - it still is. But it wasn’t until 2003 that collage became used as a psychological tool. Regardless of context, dissembling, disrupting and remaking pictures represents more than what you see on the surface.

I’m not arty No previous experience or artistic skills are needed. This is using creativity not an art project and whilst creativity and art tend to get lumped together, they have very different meanings.

I am artistic but I worry that my inner critic will get in the way. Well you can leave that voice back in the classroom. This is not a lesson in aesthetics. I’ve worked with lots of artists and designers - all of whom had the same reservation and all of whom, without exception, found this a liberating experience. The CCT is licence to silence the inner critic and place images EXACTLY where you INTUITIVELY want them to be. So much of the joy of this process is in breaking the rules and revealing startling info in the process. Some artists have fed back that it has actively improved their craft. (An insight I’ll be reporting back on shortly.)

So are you saying that coaching with imagery is a better way to coach? It’s not better - it’s just a different way to access feelings, particularly if someone is presenting with persistent resistance to change. We know that human thought processes are largely metaphorical, therefore visuals can represent these often unconscious metaphors and bring them to the surface.

So where’s the science in all of this? Let’s start with Jung. Jung believed that images connect to the individual via emotion.  And the strength of that emotion increases in proportion to the individuals relationship with that image.

But it is how images are stored in the brain (memory), that gives us a clue to why they are so emotive.

A memory begins by paying attention either consciously or unconsciously to the stimuli perceived through the senses. It’s then encoded in the unconscious brain as a’visual’. The brain doesn’t store these ‘impressions’ in a chronological way, but rather by sensory impact. And that impact doesn’t distinguish between happy or sad.  It’s a process that  involves 2 parts of the brain - The amygdala (medial temporal lobe) and the hippocampus. The hippocampus decides if a sensory experience is worth committing to memory and the amygdala moderates the strength of memory consolidation. This explains why we can recall a big event like a wedding, but often forget what we had for lunch yesterday.

We also know that the power of an image is strengthened where similar encoding already exists - that’s how repetitive behaviours cement over time. Also, coding doesn’t distinguish between a memory from a story that is directly yours or someone else’s. The empathetic nature of being human means we mirror shared emotion. Easy to see where fear can come from - it’s not necessarily because of your own experience, but because of the recording of someone else’s.

What about words, where do they fit in ? Of course we remember words but we are more likely to be attaching them to a visual., simply because the brain processes visuals much, much faster. We’re talking 60,000 times faster. Our visual system can cope with 10 million bits per second v 45 bits per second when reading. That’s one hell of a lexicon of visuals and a small pot of words.

When we use imagery in the CCT process we are providing a channel for the associated thoughts and emotions buried in the unconscious brain. You might not know precisely why you pick a certain image, but through the coaching process and conscious reasoning you will find meaning. If you’d like to read in more depth, do check out the book Collage as a Creative Coaching Tool. by Andréa Watts.

Can the CCT help me find clarity? Yes. It’s the expansive nature of the process - the unconscious mind is free to mine for ideas without critical thinking inhibiting it. How you then select and place your images on the page is a fascinating exchange between unconscious and conscious thinking so that ultimately you have a very open, honest and clear picture.

How can the CCT help me with low self esteem? Conventional coaching ways to tackle low self esteem are mostly around asking you to find the good stuff about yourself. That’s a valid route, but do you really believe it? Working with the unconscious brain means there is no filter. You get the good and bad. And sometimes seeing the negative causes of low self esteem can be powerful motivators too.

How can the CCT help me with procrastination? Before you start the CCT it’s all about setting an intent - something for the unconscious brain  to busy itself on whilst you mull it over it with your conscious thoughts. Whilst we don’t know what you will unearth on the day, you will find something that reveals motivational resonance. And that could be start of understanding what you are putting off and why.

How can the CCT help me with perfectionism? A holistic look at life’s bigger picture can help you to decide where your energy needs to be deployed. Somewhere in the mix is usually the concept of time. How much time do you have to deploy on x, y and z?  Could it be that you have to live with 70% good enough in one area of your life to allow you to progress with the one thing you do want to do.? Maybe that’s the start to letting go of the perfect 10?

I’m a bit concerned about the CCT bringing up uncomfortable thoughts that I have buried for years. It’s understandable to have concerns. Uncomfortable memories are triggered by imagery, but as a coach I have been trained to help you use the information in a positive way. Remember, you have absolute control over what you choose to share. No amateur therapy on my watch! And perhaps balance your concerns with the beneficial ones? Rest assured I take guidance around when the CCT is not suitable for a client, very seriously. (See next question.)

Can anyone be coached by you using the CCT? No. Because of the nature of unlocking unconscious thinking, I personally, will not coach anyone who presents with… Recent bereavement (6-8 months), unresolved trauma or severe mental health issues.

What equipment I need to do the CCT? I will provide guidance depending on whether you want to create a digital version or a classic paper one,. Both forms are equally effective, it’s a question of preference. Both forms can also be completed via ‘Zoom’ or location permitting, in person.  If you opt for the digital route, you just need to be comfortable using the kapwing.com platform, which is free to use.

Can you tell me more about working with an ‘intent’ for my collage? In our coaching time together you will have had the opportunity to prioritise areas of your life to talk about. An intent is simply an invitation to bring a concern to the fore and allow your conscious and analytical mind to chew this over before we start the CCT. For example you may be seeking clarity around a career move, or perhaps looking to make some lifestyle changes?  Don’t spent too much time on the intent but be aware that whilst you debate this consciously your unconscious mind and intuition will be busying away. The CCT is an opportunity for that hidden voice to be heard. You don’t need to be actively thinking about it as you gather and create your collage. Whatever you create is the result of what you need it to be on the day.  AKA you can’t do it wrong!

So is the CCT another word for creating a vision board? No. It’s not about creating a consciously aspirational set of images. The CCT is a psychological coaching tool that works from the premise that how people think about themselves and respond to situations affects their capacity to achieve their goals. You might not realise the internal conflict and resistance to change (often rooted in fear) until there is a possibility to identify these barriers, or face the feelings. When self-selecting images you may consciously or unconsciously avoid things that are difficult and challenging.  Working with the unconscious means that you may come across an image (often a metaphor) you many not have thought to look at but which captures how you feel perfectly, but not necessarily comfortably. These images sit alongside the motivational choices to give you the big picture and the confidence to decide a course of action.

I’m a bit unclear about what you mean by conscious and unconscious thoughts? Through imagery we are bringing unconscious thoughts into conscious awareness. The unconscious mind is understood to be the driving force behind human behaviour. Affecting our decision-making process and how we relate and respond to other people, situations and circumstances. Once you are aware of your 'drivers' you can engage your conscious or thinking brain to reflect, question and choose how to behave in ways that best serve you and your goals.

I’m nervous about going into my unconscious mind. This isn’t hypnotherapy. We don’t go into a trance to access the unconscious mind. All you are doing is looking at imagery in a safe, relaxed, non-judgemental, space.  See it as an opportunity to reach the real self uninhibited by learnt language and the edit button.  A chance to uncover the parts of you that may be influenced by false reasoning.

It all sounds a bit psycho-babble! Haha. Everything written here is underpinned by years of solid scientific research. Agreed it’s not the classic motivational ‘just do it’ approach. But who hasn’t tried those, ‘make change in 3 steps’ methods and not seen the results? I know I have. This is a very democratic process. It’s not about how quick and articulate you are. Or a smarty pants with words. It swipes over borrowed or mirroring terms and language to a place that feels unique and authentic. It is particularly powerful way to unearth emotions that are locked-in -where language just can’t reach (lost for words).  It overrides feeling foolish for not being able to articulate.  It can connect you to the emotion you felt as a child or a ‘former self’. There’s nothing more deeply satisfying than finding an image that screams, ’That’s it! That’s what I feel.’