By CMA Member Layla Moroney
The Art of Healing:
The worlds of art and complementary therapy share a beautiful common thread. Both seek to bring balance, self-expression, and healing to the whole person. Whether through painting, music, writing, or movement, the arts have long been recognised as powerful tools to support emotional wellbeing, ease stress, and help us reconnect to our sense of purpose, joy and each other.
In my own practice, I often see how energy, emotion, and awareness are at the heart of both healing and creativity. When we engage in something creative, we access parts of ourselves that words alone can’t always reach. Art and creativity give us permission to feel, to release, and to discover stillness in new ways. It can bring moments of calm, spark inspiration, and create connection, not only with others, but with the deeper parts of ourselves waiting to be seen, heard, and understood.
What Does The Science Say:
Science is now echoing what many of us as practitioners already know; creative activities can reduce anxiety, support mental clarity, and even lower blood pressure. The arts can enhance mood, build resilience, and encourage mindfulness, all key components of holistic wellbeing.
How I Work:
Recently, I had the joy of bringing my two worlds of poetry and sound therapy together in a very special way. I delivered a theatre performance featuring a specially written meditation piece that combined my poetic expression and sound healing practice. The performance, part of a collaborative evening of writers and musicians titled “Spirit in the Stones,” paid gentle homage to the coastal town of Greystones, Co. Wicklow, where The Whale Theatre is located. The Greystones Arts Centre initiative hosted this event to raise funds and awareness for a permanent Arts Centre in Greystones, to enhance community engagement and wellness.
During my performance, I guided the audience through a meditative journey of sound, rhythm, and words. In keeping with the theme, I gifted each attendee a small quartz crystal, a symbol of clarity and connection. This allowed them to not only watch but truly feel the experience on an energetic and emotional level. It was a beautiful reminder of how art and energy work can meet in harmony to create something that touches both heart and spirit.
Blending Art and Therapy:
Blending the artistic and therapeutic worlds continues to inspire me. Creativity opens new pathways for wellbeing and provides endless opportunities for practitioners to share their gifts whether through workshops, rituals, performances, collaborations, or even the way we design and communicate our work.
For me, art is another form of healing. It invites us to pause, to reflect, and to remember who we are beneath the noise of daily life.
As I often remind my clients, art, creativity and wellness are deeply connected.
My goal is always to help people experience calm, presence, and wellness, whether through a treatment in my studio, a written piece, or a creative moment that reminds us to slow down and breathe.
I’m also deeply grateful to be a member of The Complementary Medical Association (CMA), whose ongoing support and recognition of professional holistic practitioners help us all to grow, connect, and bring this meaningful work to wider audiences. The CMA’s commitment to raising standards and awareness within the complementary health community allows practitioners like myself to confidently share innovative and heart-led approaches to wellbeing, reminding the world that healing can take many forms.
By embracing creativity in our personal and professional journey, we nurture our own joy and expression while creating new spaces where healing can unfold, sometimes in the most unexpected and inspiring forms.
About the Author
Layla Moroney is a Holistic Therapist and Poet based in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. A proud member of The Complementary Medical Association (CMA), she specialises in Sound Therapy, Reiki, and Rahanni, helping clients find calm, clarity, and connection through both creative and therapeutic experiences.