The art process can be a wonderful way to observe and intervene in parent-child dynamics in therapy. One art therapy intervention that you can try is to have the child and parent take turns being "the boss" during art-making. One person is in charge first and is told by the therapist that they will get to make all the decisions for the art piece. The person in charge participates in the art-making while also telling the other person in the dyad what they should do. The one … [Read more...]
Gratitude Jar — An Activity to Focus on Thankfulness
During the past few months, I have come across a few pins on Pinterest for "Gratitude Jars" or "Blessing Jars." I thought this would be a great idea to share now as Thanksgiving approaches. This would be a great activity to try for yourself or could be a therapy homework idea for children or families. To create a gratitude jar, find any large jar or container. I like a clear container because it allows you to see the jar filling up as more and more slips of paper are added. Each day, try to … [Read more...]
Mindful Studio — 6 Degrees of Creativity
This past week I have finally begun my next workshop for 6 Degrees of Creativity, entitled "Still Point in a Changing World-- Creating a Mindful Studio Practice" by Hannah Klaus Hunter. This workshop involves setting aside a studio space and time to create mindful art for 21 days. I had been delaying my start of this workshop as I waited for just the right time to be able to make this commitment. However, as is often the case in our lives, the perfect time never seemed to arrive, so I had to … [Read more...]
Mandalas
Mandala created by the author, Carolyn Mehlomakulu Mandalas can be an excellent art therapy intervention for both children and adults. As The Mandala Project explains, the word "mandala" comes from the Sanskrit word for "circle." However, it means more than just the shape and also encompasses the idea of wholeness and unity. Mandalas can be powerful symbols and have been present in many cultures and spiritual practices. Carl Jung is thought to have introduced the West to the idea of … [Read more...]
Goals, Resolutions, and Commitments
Recently, I read the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin in which she spends a year trying to increase her overall happiness level. Although Rubin makes the point that her book is about being happy in everyday life, not treating something serious like clinical depression, as a therapist reading the book, I could not help but draw parallels between her experiences and interventions, approaches, or issues that often come up in therapy. Goals vs. Resolutions One interesting point … [Read more...]
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