The Value of Artistic Expression in Counseling

"Through artistic expression the client is given the opportunity to understand more fully who he/she is at that particular moment in that particular set of confusing circumstances."
—Suzanne Darley and Wende Heath

(Part 1 of a 3 part series)

Glue, stencils, scrapbook paper, and watercolor paints sit on the table as an invitation to play, create, and explore. You might expect that the table is set for a child to engage in laughter and fun as their imagination is encouraged to run free. But in fact, the setting is a counselor’s office and her client’s assignment, during their time together, is to create a sailboat.

In an unconventional way, the client (through the use of paint, constructing shapes, paper cutting, and gluing) begins to experience a meditative state that allows her to bridge the gap between her anxiety and her ability to make connections—connections that help bring about change in her life. The process is a subtle one. And many times, a client may be hesitant to try, bringing with her feelings of inadequacy from childhood about what the artwork should look like. 

Read more? CLICK HERE

Life Coach in the Hot Seat: The Most Creative Present I've Ever Received

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The most creative present I’ve ever received…

The first thing that came to mind is a box of Golden Books that I received as a Christmas present.  I was about 8 years old and I loved to read.  Most of my books would come from the library.  So this was very special to me for a couple of reasons:

1.       There was a collection of about 10 or 15

2.       They were mine to keep

3.       They were my very own.  

The third reason is important to mention because I am the oldest of 4 children.  And pretty much every year due to modest resources, we would receive presents from Santa that had ALL OF OUR NAMES on the tag in the ‘to’ section.  To have a this collection all to myself… well something about it felt like I was being treated like a big kid.

                              

Years later when I would read bios of creatives who I admire, they would mention the name “Mary Blair” as someone who inspired them.    Her name came up A LOT.  One day I decided to find out who Mary Blair was.  Lo and behold she was the illustrator of many of the books in the Golden Books series, many of the ones that I remember as loved as a child. 

I picked up a treasury collection of Mary Blair’s work recently and was immediately reminded of another reason I loved this collection of books:  the illustrations.  Page after page of joy and whimsy… the things I craved and continue to pray in my quest for a fulfilling life.

What about you? 

 Share in the comments your most creative present or post a link and I will come by to check it out.

Life Coach in the Hot Seat: These Things I Know for Sure

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These things I know for sure…

Today I sit at an indoor recreation center called Amazing Jakes while my daughter and her friends enjoy this freedom of being able to hang out and have fun in a safe setting.  

 And I feel joy.  

 Joy that I have been able to give this experience to her.  Joy that I have raised a son who I have been able to give similar experiences to.   Healing in those places where I did not feel such joy as a child.  I am deeply grateful that we may not have all the answers to every problem in our lives at this particular moment but we do experience immense amounts of joy.  I experience incredible joy as a mother, as a wife and a creative, as an entrepreneur and a teacher.  

Here are some things I know for sure:

1.       You have to CHOOSE joy – life has so many unexplainable tragedies.  I have a friend right now who is helping her two year old son battle cancer.  She chooses joy.  I have questions in my life over my dad dying and not being able to see him before he died.  Family members in pain that I have no answers for though I wish I did.  Yet I CHOOSE joy

2, Your life can be FULFILLING – no matter the circumstance. You got to dig down deep.  Sometimes it take a while to feel that way but you can have a fulfilling life.  In the midst of some really difficult circumstances.

3.       God IS IN CONTROL – Even when I am in the my most What the Hell is going on state of mind. 

But it is my choice to choose joy, create a more fulfilling life, believe that God is in control.

What about you? 

What do you know for sure? 

 Leave a link from your blog in the comments OR just write your thoughts below

Excerpts from Savor Your Life:What is the REAL Reason You won't Make a Decision?

Pottery by Stephanie Amos 

What is the Real Reason that you won't make a decision?

It is truly said: it does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide what to do

-

Chow Ching

Too many ideas or...

not enough faith to believe?

You know what to do and how to do it or...

you let yourself stay in overwhelm?

You are afraid to be disappointed or...

You know someone who will be disappointed by this choice?

What ONE decision do you need to find the strength to make?

 

Buy Savor Your Life (or to view my other resources): CLICK HERE

Excerpts from Savor Your Life: The World NEEDS you to Live Life to the Fullest

Pottery by Stephanie Amos

The World needs you To Share what you Savor‏

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world.  This makes is hard to plan the day.

-

E.B. White

What a beautiful way to face the world.  You are so in touch with your soul's purpose that each day gets better and better.

Do you have a sense of how to reach that type of life joy?  Is there a road map that you have been dreaming about that you need to chart on paper? 

Stop holding it in your heart and take some action steps.  

Buy Savor Your Life (or to view my other resources): CLICK HERE