2 min read
Overcoming Loneliness and Low Confidence Through Creativity: A Counsellor's Perspective
A Vancouver-based counsellor with a theatre background shares how creative outlets like improv and art can help you build confidence, feel less alone, and even complement the work you do in counselling.
Today we're featuring Sera Jorgensen, a counsellor based in Vancouver, BC, who brings a unique perspective to mental health work through her background in theatre. Sera is currently completing her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology while working as a program coordinator at a Vancouver-based not-for-profit. In this conversation, she explains how skills from acting and improv — like emotional attunement, adaptability, and creative problem-solving — can be powerful tools for anyone working on their mental health, not just performers.
Key takeaways
- A good counsellor matches your energy, not just their own. Sera describes 'emotional attunement' — a counsellor who can meet you where you're at, whether you're excited, upset, or somewhere in between, rather than responding with a flat, one-size-fits-all tone. If you've felt unheard in past counselling experiences, this is worth asking about when choosing a counsellor.
- Feeling stuck? Creative problem-solving can open new paths. When one approach hasn't worked for you before, a skilled counsellor should be able to pivot and offer alternatives instead of repeating the same strategy. Sera compares this to mapping out multiple routes to a goal, rather than assuming there's only one way forward.
- Improv-style 'acting as if' can build real confidence. Trying on a role — like acting more confident or more emotionally present — before you fully feel it is a legitimate strategy, similar to behavioural activation used for depression. Small, low-stakes creative steps (karaoke, a choir, a drawing class) can help you practice being the person you want to become.
- Creative activities can also fight loneliness. Group creative spaces — improv classes, life drawing, community art programs — tend to attract people looking for connection as much as skill-building. Sera notes that loneliness carries health risks comparable to smoking, so combining creativity with community can support both your mood and your social life.
- You don't have to wait for the 'right' mentor or group. Sera encourages people not to wait around for someone else to show up first — being proactive, showing interest, and engaging with others tends to naturally draw like-minded people toward you.
If you're navigating loneliness, low confidence, or just want support exploring new ways to cope, Free Counselling Society Canada connects you with real counsellors — no cost barrier. Reach out today to book a free counselling session and start building the tools that work for you.
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Related: Loneliness & Isolation Self‑Esteem & Confidence · See all conditions
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