Recently I enjoyed participating in an artist trading card exchange, organized by 6 Degrees of Creativity. I am somewhat new to the idea of artist trading cards (ATCs), and this was my first exchange to participate in. The swap was centered on the theme of "Pocket Change," creating change through small acts of kindness and creativity by sending positive messages and intentions to others. Not only was creating my ATCs an enjoyable time for creativity, I loved the idea of participating in a … [Read more...]
Media Choices in Therapy
When using art for therapeutic purposes, it is important to be mindful of the media that you choose. Therapists trained in art therapy will have been taught about and experienced for themselves the continuum of media. However, others often wonder how to go about making the best choice of art materials for a personal project or an art-based intervention in therapy. Whether you are a teacher selecting art materials for a class project, a play therapist integrating art activities, or an individual … [Read more...]
Postcard From Your Future Self: An Art Therapy Directive
Do you ever feel stuck in the present? Especially when people are struggling, going through a difficult time, or suffering from depression, it can be difficult to imagine a future that is different or better. An art therapy directive that can help is to create a postcard that you would like to receive from your future self. Many thanks to my former art therapy supervisor, Susan Reichmann, for originally suggesting this directive to me. Directive: On the front of the postcard, create an … [Read more...]
Welcoming Your Emotions
Do you tend to welcome and embrace all of your emotions? Or do you try to ignore the unpleasant ones, pushing them away as unwanted? Although much of psychotherapy is geared toward helping people to feel better, happier, and more fulfilled, there is much value in learning to accept and tolerate the feelings that we tend to consider undesirable. When we live a life of constant busyness or turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, we may be trying to dull and ignore unwanted emotions of sadness, … [Read more...]
Drawing Your Dragons
Dragons and monsters can be a great metaphor for kids to talk and draw about fears and problems in counseling and art therapy. I recently had the coincidence to attend two trainings here in Austin that involved participants creating dragons or monsters. One of these was a presentation to the Hill Country Play Therapy Association by Mary Morrison Bennett. She shared with us a book called You've Got Dragons in which the dragon is a metaphor for the child's problems or uncomfortable feelings. As … [Read more...]
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