Colour is something that is often overlooked in counselling therapy; however, its importance can even be seen in our everyday language.
We all understand phrases like:
| Feeling Blue | Red with Rage |
| In the Pink | Purple Passion |
| A Black Mood | Green with Envy |
| Having a Grey Day | Yellow Belly |
| White as a Sheet | Brown-Nosing |
Working with colour in therapy using colour wheels, charts or pictures for example, can help unlock previously unrecognised feelings.
People will often choose the colours for an outfit (either consciously or subconsciously) to reflect their mood or suit what they are doing or where they are going and others noticing them will see a difference too.
For example black is associated with mourning in many Western cultures, however, white is the preferred colour in many Eastern cultures, and red may be worn in South Africa. This has been recognised in colour psychology research which has established that different colours will have alternative meanings in Britain to those from other cultures. Should you wish to work with colour it will be important for me to know what culture, race and religion you identify with.
Certain colours are known medically to affect individuals. For example, reds and oranges can raise blood pressure. Oranges can increase appetites, yellows are considered stimulating and are best not to use in bedrooms, whilst greens and blues are seen as calming and restful and a better choice. How well do you sleep? Could the colour of your bedroom need to be changed?
“…the colours of our environment affect our behaviour and mood. When yellow daffodils, bluebells and colourful crocuses appear, we immediately begin to feel livelier; when grey skies and rain or snow surround us we instinctively draw in and tend to hibernate.” Angela Wright, https://www.colour-affects.co.uk Accessed: 24 March 2022
