Denial oil pastel self portrait by "F" This oil pastel self-portrait was inspired by an introduction to Freda Kahlo, a Mexican artist who lived with daily pain and sorrow. The part of Freda’s story that impressed this patient is the way Freda includes her emotional and psychological self in her portraits. Freda painted more than what she looks like; she regularly shares what’s on her heart and what’s on her mind. This includes chronic physical pain and painful relationship … [Read more...] about Denial
Art Therapy Is…
Bi Polar bracelet
bi polar bracelet by "F" recovering addict Very often when an addict stops using s/he finds an underlying emotional/psychological problem. This begs the old chicken/egg question; did drug addiction and use cause the mental health issue or was it the precursor that prompted the individual to use in the first place? It may be an attempt to self-medicate a pre-existing condition. Common dual diagnoses include alcoholism/drug addiction and depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, various … [Read more...] about Bi Polar bracelet
Red light/Green light
Hungry/Starving (hunger) oil pastel on paper Dieting, binging, purging, numbing, over exercising and otherwise ignoring the body’s perfectly installed hunger signals creates a huge disconnect between mind and body. We see evidence of this disconnect in men and women with disordered eating. F. drew the above as part of the directive “Draw what hunger is for you. Draw what starving is for you.” She was trying to draw a green light! As you can see she reflexively draws “Stop” even though she … [Read more...] about Red light/Green light
Housecleaning
Alcoholism/Recovery oil pastel on paper This pair of drawings is a response by F., a middle aged woman who proclaimed, “I can’t draw!” the minute she heard the words “art therapy”. I asserted my disclaimer – that I was not looking for talent or training – which did not put her at ease. The funny thing is that you don’t need artistic talent or training to benefit from art therapy. Almost anyone can benefit. You’ll see what I mean. This is F’s art response to the directive “Draw a picture of … [Read more...] about Housecleaning
A Picture Worth a Thousand Words
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
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
Parenting and Kids
There are many applications for art therapy: relaxation/meditation, self expression, psycho education, self awareness, trauma relief, psychotherapy and more. Art therapy can address physical, emotional and spiritual pain and can benefit people in hospitals, treatment centers, schools, and nursing homes and can both complement and pre-empt other therapeutic modalities. Art therapy may be used with children, teens and adults from age 4 up and works in both individual and group settings. To be an … [Read more...] about Parenting and Kids