Talking to Your
Inner Critic

The voice in your head has a name

You are not alone. Most people have an inner critic. Sometimes it is incredibly loud. Sometimes it is more of a quiet nagging. Researchers have identified several recognisable types, from the perfectionist to the underminer to the guilt tripper.

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Chronic self-criticism activates the same threat response in the brain as external danger. The body responds to your own inner voice the way it would respond to an attack. This is why self-criticism is exhausting. It keeps the nervous system in a low-level state of alert.

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The good news is that research by Kristin Neff shows that self-compassion, not self-criticism, is what actually motivates us and helps us recover from setbacks. And one of the most effective ways to get there is to make the critic visible. When we give it a shape, a colour or a character through art-making, we create distance from it. That distance is where change becomes possible.

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What we explore together

Each session opens with a grounding practice and a short reflection, then moves into making. The pace is yours and nothing needs to be finished.

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We begin by identifying the situations where your inner critic tends to show up. Through guided art prompts, for example collage, drawing or sculpture, we give it a visual form. What does it look like? What type is it? Research identifies seven recognisable types and seeing yours on paper changes your relationship to it.

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From there we explore how to meet that voice differently. Not by silencing it, but by approaching it with curiosity and self-compassion. That shift, from adversary to ally, is what the series works toward.

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What you take with you

A clearer understanding of when and how your inner critic shows up. A visual representation of it that you created yourself. The ability to recognise which of the seven research-identified types is speaking to you and what it needs. Practical art-making activities you can return to when that voice becomes loud. And the experience of working through all of this in the company of others.

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This series might be for you if

• You are curious about meeting your inner critic with kindness rather than resistance

• You want to understand the different types of inner critic and recognise which one is yours

• You are drawn to the idea of making your inner critic visible through art

• You want to turn that voice from an adversary into an ally

• You are open to exploring art-making as a process rather than chasing polished results

 

No previous art experience is needed. You just need to be curious.
 

Format &Booking

This workshop can be booked as a single 90-minute to 2-hour session, or as a deeper series of 3 or 6 sessions, 90 minutes each.

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In-person sessions include all materials. Online sessions require a small set of basic supplies that participants bring themselves. A materials list is sent ahead of time.

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This series is available to organizations, community partners and individuals. If you would like to bring this to your community or team, or join an upcoming individual session, I would love to hear from you.

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