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
Life Inside a Pill Bottle
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
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
Boundaries
Sometimes I feel moved to participate in the directive with an art therapy group, either with an example or by making my own art response. This is a rare but rewarding happenstance and I always learn something. On this particular day I made a masked, painted example about food and feelings. I didn’t know why. Turns out to be a huge lesson on boundaries and group dynamics. Here’s what happened when I finished and taped mine on the wall. F taped her painting up so it overlapped mine. It … [Read more...] about Boundaries