Story collage by "R", mentally ill adult Very often the mentally ill are suffering from more than their diagnosed problem/problems. Usually before the (correct) diagnosis is made the mentally ill person has already had significant social troubles – they have been bullied, arrested, or dropped out of school. They have been subjected to harsh discipline, physical and sexual abuse and nobody has believed a word they say. This is because the … [Read more...] about A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
Archives for June 2012
Codependency
Codependency is modeled everywhere we look in our culture. From the alcoholic family-next- door to the silver screen to the lyrics of pop music to Catholic marriage vows. I don’t know how I could have grown up any different; both my parents were raised by codependent parents who were, guess what, also raised by codependents. Alcoholism, green thumbs and relationship addiction are in my lineage just like being short and prone to spending freely. What motivates codependence is the idea that we are … [Read more...] about Codependency
Dreamcatchers
A few words about "cute" and "craft" from a former gold frame art snob. Native American Dreamcatcher As an artist and former fine arts student I have a bad attitude about “kits,” crafts and vacationbibleschool-ie art. This goes for most product-centered art therapy projects. I brought this conceit to art therapy and vowed to avoid “cute” like the plague. I use good paper and archival media as much as possible. So when some women in art therapy asked to make dream catchers I thought long and … [Read more...] about Dreamcatchers