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...]
Intentions for the Year
As we enter the new year, many people will be making new year's resolutions. Many of these resolutions are quickly forgotten or given up within the next few months, but maybe art-making can help with this. At times, I have ignored this tradition because it so often feels like a waste of time or like I keep repeating myself year after year. It can be easy to become cynical about new year's resolutions, but I find that there can be value in taking time to think about my life, what I hope to … [Read more...]
Coping With Tragedy
In the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut many children will be experiencing confusion, fear, and sadness. My heart goes out to all those families impacted by the tragedy and all children who are experiencing grief or fear after such a shocking and terrible event. Many parents, teachers, and other adults are wondering how to address the tragedy with children. Through talk, art, and other interventions, parents and helping professionals can be a supportive resource to help children to … [Read more...]
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