One of the things Oldtimers tell Newcomers is to “remember your last drunk. Remember that last high. “ They caution you to never forget it. I think I know why. It’s like waking up to the good intentions of the previous night. And hearing that terrified voice in your head that says “Well, it wasn’t really that bad “ followed by the relief that you don’t need to quit today. Alcoholics and addicts have selective memories; we tend to romance the drink and forget the paranoia and self loathing that … [Read more...] about Life Inside a Pill Bottle
Art Therapy Is…
The Difference Between Teaching Art and Doing Art Therapy
Before my second career as an art therapist I made most of my living in art education doing residencies all over Chattanooga and North Georgia. I worked as a teaching artist for 25+ years gathering experience with a huge range of media, a deep understanding of developmental stages and lots of personal growth through things like the 12 Steps, Jungian theory, codependency treatment and a daily practice. I felt my career evolving from art teacher to art Teacher. The process taking on more import … [Read more...] about The Difference Between Teaching Art and Doing Art Therapy
The Beauty of Recovery
Lifeline beaded bracelet F. beaded this memory wire bracelet during an art therapy group. Memory wire is perfect for beginning jewelers and hard to mess up. The wire is spiraled and remembers that it is spiraled. No tricky clasps or toggles needed. It also is an apt metaphor for the idea of a life timeline, a visual story, a bead memory. Each single bead represents a year in the life of this artist. Some years a small single … [Read more...] about The Beauty of Recovery