
Anne Kirketerp | Craft Psychology: The Link Between Crafting & Wellbeing
About this episode
The moment you carve, knit, bake or start folding paper, something remarkable happens in your brain. The anxious spiral of thoughts quiets, stress hormones recede, and you enter a state that Dr. Anne Kirketerp calls "meaningful self-forgetfulness."
Dr. Anne Kirketerp is a psychologist, researcher, and craftsperson who pioneered Craft Psychology—the study of how hands-on creative activities impact mental well-being. With a background in both psychology and craftsmanship, she has spent years exploring the health benefits of making, from reducing stress to enhancing focus and problem-solving skills.
Formerly a professor and research director, Anne left academia to focus on studying the link between crafting and mental health. Her work combines scientific research with practical insights, showing how structured and free-form creative activities can foster flow, resilience, and psychological wellbeing.
She is the author of Craft Psychology and runs craftpsychology.com, where she shares research-based insights and exercises designed to help people integrate craft into their daily lives.
📚 Learn more about Anne Kirketerp and Craft Psychology:
- https://www.craftpsykologi.dk/english-page
- https://www.craftpsykologi.dk/
- https://www.instagram.com/craftpsykologi/
- https://www.facebook.com/craftpsykologi
🗓️ Recorded February 27th, 2025. 📍 Finhan, France
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