I decided to make a collage of photos, images and words that resonate with me to describe my past, present and future. I didn't give myself any kind of deadline, I've just been working on it whenever I felt like it. I don't know if I'll complete it before my session on Monday, but I'm planning on taking it in to show T. I haven't mentioned to T that I'm doing this collage, and I'm not really sure what my expectations are. I keep telling myself that I'm not doing this for T's approval, I'm only doing it for myself, to tap into my creative side in a different way. I do want to go over it with T, though.

So has anyone ever made some kind of collage or other type of art and then taken it in to share with T? Did you talk to your T before you brought it in?

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by dreamseeker9

So has anyone ever made some kind of collage or other type of art and then taken it in to share with T? Did you talk to your T before you brought it in?

I have taken a poem I have written to therapy with me and shared it with T. No, I did not talk to him before I brought it in. I just brought it. It really helped communicate a lot to him in a short space of time. Poems are very economical and mine can be intense. He read my poem and understood so much, so quickly. Very effective communication tool! I am actually very shy about sharing my poetry, but this was actually much easier than having to talk about this stuff--it would have taken a whole session or two to get through the material in the poem without the poem to read. So the poem was a good launch point for a conversation--we could get right to it without having to explain the situation.

I have also shared with him a piece of "word art" I made on the computer. Again, I didn't speak to him about this before hand. I just brought it in. He's a very informal guy and is able to accept whatever I bring to therapy with me.

Do you think your T would not be accepting if you just brought your collage in without having talked to her about it? Maybe you could bring it in a folder and not show her right away, but talk about it first, and then reveal it. I think your collage sounds very cool and I hope you can share it with your T.

By the way, my daughter and her T do art therapy within talk therapy. But they do the art during session.

[darkrunner]

Hi Dreamseeker,
I just want to say I think it is a great idea to make a collage. I did art therapy in the last treatment facility I was in, and I was surprised at how helpful it was.

I've never brought in art to share with T, but I think it will be ok, even if you haven't mentioned it beforehand.

Last week I told T that I was afraid and embarassed to bring up certain things with her, because I felt like she was judging me and I really wanted her approval. She understood, but reminded me that she worked for me......that I 'employ' her.
I guess that is true, and it means that whatever topics we bring to therapy is ok, because really, we are in charge.

Let us know how it goes!

(((((((((((((dreamseeker)))))))))))))))))

yes, I have actually made a collage (actually a series of collages!) and brought it to T I didn't mention it ahead of time, just brought it in when I was done with it.

It was a very powerful exercise for me...and bringing it to T was very powerful as well. It was a visual way of saying "this is who I am". T sat with me on the couch and we looked at the collages together and he asked questions and we spent the whole session talking about them.

I did feel a little "exposed" afterwards...but we talked about that too. And everything ended up being okay.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone!

Originally Posted by sunrise

Do you think your T would not be accepting if you just brought your collage in without having talked to her about it? Maybe you could bring it in a folder and not show her right away, but talk about it first, and then reveal it. I think your collage sounds very cool and I hope you can share it with your T.

I think my T would be accepting - I think it's just me, the planner, wondering if I should mention it before I bring it in to see what T's initial reaction is, maybe for fear of her rejecting the idea, though I truly do think she'll like it. I've shown T a few pictures, and she's seemed to really enjoy looking at them. I think if I were a T, I'd be so curious to know what my patients' friends and families looked like that they talk about all the time, and also what my patients looked like when they were children! I really think it will be a good tool not only in bringing up topics for therapy, but in further evolving my relationship with T.

I can't bring it in a folder, unfortunately - it's on a huge piece of foamboard, so T would notice me carrying it right away. I thought about doing separate, smaller collages, and then decided to just put it all on one enormous collage - I brought a piece of foamboard home from work that no one needed anymore. I'm excited - today's the day I'm going to lay it all out! But I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't finish it today. I don't want to take it into T tomorrow anyway, I have too much I want to discuss! But it's a 2-session week, thank goodness, so I'd like to bring it in on Wednesday if it's done by then.

[cmac13]

as a part of my talk therapy i bring my art journal and photos to my sessions to share with my therapist. she is open to looking at my art and talking about my feelings regarding the images I produce. it is tremendouly helpful because sometimes i cannot verbalize what i am thinking and feeling so the art helps.

[skeksi]

Sometimes I do art in therapy, but T is not trained in art therapy or anything. He just gives me pens and paper if I want to get something out that I can't verbalize. I've also taken in books that have paintings that are symbolic to me so we can discuss them.

I think your T would be very happy to look at a creation of yours, whether you check with her beforehand or not. Ts welcome whatever we want to bring into the room.

[complic8d]

I have brought in poems, by me or others, music lyrics, and have made collages too. For me it helps say things that I just can't put into words, they express so much more than my explaining how I feel, even the style I've used for the poems says something (font, color, etc). I feel like creativity is accessing the feelings from a different part of the brain, maybe more emotion than logic. My t has accepted all of these, some we go into more than others.

I think it's a great idea!

HUGS!

[Dr.Muffin]

Originally Posted by dreamseeker9

I decided to make a collage of photos, images and words that resonate with me to describe my past, present and future. I didn't give myself any kind of deadline, I've just been working on it whenever I felt like it. I don't know if I'll complete it before my session on Monday, but I'm planning on taking it in to show T. I haven't mentioned to T that I'm doing this collage, and I'm not really sure what my expectations are. I keep telling myself that I'm not doing this for T's approval, I'm only doing it for myself, to tap into my creative side in a different way. I do want to go over it with T, though.

So has anyone ever made some kind of collage or other type of art and then taken it in to share with T? Did you talk to your T before you brought it in?

ive had particularly artistic clients bring in their work to show me and im always appreciative! so much is expressed through art that people often feel unable (or unwilling) to say with words and if that is another way for me to understand the client, i am all for it! with certain clients if they want to, we can even do some art work during sessions....but ive found that unless its a group, people seem to feel self-conscious just sitting and drawing (or whatever the medium) in front of me. this doesnt include kids....kids love a reason to not have to look you in the eye

Thanks, all - I'm so pumped, I spent all afternoon working on it, and I finished it! I'm really happy with how it turned out. I see T tomorrow, and I'm so excited to show T this collage - I just might bring it in tomorrow, I'll see how I'm feeling about it tomorrow afternoon.

[skeksi]

Originally Posted by almostDr.Muffin

but ive found that unless its a group, people seem to feel self-conscious just sitting and drawing (or whatever the medium) in front of me. this doesnt include kids....kids love a reason to not have to look you in the eye

Ha! This is so true. It has taken me a long time to agree to draw in sessions, but I like it because it gives me someplace to look and something to do with my hands, it helps keep me from dissociating (too much). I find I can get into things way more deeply when I've got something else to do at the same time.

dreamseeker, I hope you will feel able to share it with your T. It's important to you, and it might be nice to share something like that with someone who really knows what's been going on with you, ya know?

[crystalrose]

i have taken my whole art portfolios in to share with T. She isn't very good or talented at art so she thinks everything i do is extremly good. She also doesn't know how to interpret my art so i get to discuss what it is. I noticed when i am depressed i draw animals in foetal position . Anyone wanna interpret that be my guest.
i have also done pieces of art and she has put it up in her office. When i was dissociated i told her i had seen an art work like that once and she laughed and said it was my art for her. I think art is paramount for expression and talent has nothing to do with passion for artistic expression. Go for it i'm sure your T will be so interested in your work. I'm certainly inspired to continue my art by hearing about yours and others artwork.

Originally Posted by skeksi

dreamseeker, I hope you will feel able to share it with your T. It's important to you, and it might be nice to share something like that with someone who really knows what's been going on with you, ya know?

I think sharing this with T will indeed be good for me and also good for T to know me even better. I'm trying hard not to have any expectations, but I'm also so excited to just sit down and go over it with T.

I have taken my whole art portfolios in to share with T. She isn't very good or talented at art so she thinks everything i do is extremly good.

crystalrose, I think you just might be selling yourself short. Thanks for the words of encouragement, very sweet of you!

My session is right after work tomorrow, but I'm hoping I have enough time to stop at home and get the collage before the session, so I can take it in and show T tomorrow. I'll be sure to post how it goes!

[crystalrose]

No what i meant was some of mine is extremly good but there are some that i know were not that really good, they were only line drawings and she particularly liked them a lot also. Which is good its encouraging but wish she liked the better ones a bit more. I hope it goes well for you i can't wait to hear all about it.

[Indie'sOK]

I've brought in poems to read before, she seems to understand my feelings better after I read them. I haven't brought in my artwork, but it sounds like a very good idea, and a great way to get in touch with your creativity. I say go for it! Good luck Dreamseeker

[chaotic13]

Art was a major break through in my therapy. I had forgotten that I used to draw. One day I was really frustrated about my inability to get things out of my head. Instead of trying to journal, I picked up a pencil and started drawing. What came out shocked me. I eventually brought the drawing with me to therapy folded up in my back pocket. I was a total chicken, I told my T at the very end of the session that I drew something. T seemed interested so I showed it to her as we got up to leave. She was so shocked she plopped right back down in her T chair. And well...that's how I FINALLY started to communicate with my T.

I've never attempt to draw actually IN my session. I think that would be too much pressure.

Art has been a major breakthrough in me being about to access my emotions and communicate the thoughts and images floating around in my head.

My T was totally open and embraced my use of this tool. I say if you can get yourself to leap..DO IT.

[jexa]

I have never brought in a piece of art for my T, but she has seen pages in my journal where I have some complicated doodles and she comments on them and appreciates them. I have brought in poems and they are always a good way for me to explain what's going on for me in a succinct way. I think all art is that way.

So, I think your T will appreciate it very much! Don't chicken out! (I know I would have to make myself not chicken out if it was a big piece of art)

[Dr.Muffin]

im definitely not an art therapist, so ive never sought to interpret a client's art...i think what it means to them is more important anyway. i always see it as a way to start a dialogue

[crystalrose]

thats great chaotic. Isn't it funny though that sometimes we leave important things to the end of the session.
Dreamseeker when will you show T at the beginning or the end. I agree with jexa don't chicken out.

[sunrise]

dreamseeker, when I brought in my poem to T, it was really hard to sit there and watch him read it. It was torture! It was like watching someone as they looked right into your soul. There are no curtains or walls in my poetry--it was a direct look in for T, and I had to watch him as he looked in. Aaaaaaccccckkkkk! I had a strong impulse to run out the door.

I remember one thing he asked me was how did it feel to watch him read my poem. Just wanted you to be prepared....

Good luck tomorrow.

dream, i think you making the collage is so great. i'm sure your t will love you bringing it in to share whether or not you give her a heads up about it. i'm currently in my 4th week of the artist's way class with my t and just this week things seem to have broken through for me in many areas of my life and especially creatively. i actually just got back from the craft store buying acrylics, brushes, etc and i can't wait to throw some paint on the pad. i've never painted in my life--unless finger painting counts --so i'm excited to do this. i haven't produced much yet for this class but i did take in my one and only art journal piece and t was so encouraging. i'm pretty blocked but things are starting to crack open so it's exciting.

also, i just wanted to say that it is really encouraging to hear how art therapy is so helpful to so many here since i may end up becoming an art therapist some day.

[velcro003]

Originally Posted by dreamseeker9

I decided to make a collage of photos, images and words that resonate with me to describe my past, present and future. I didn't give myself any kind of deadline, I've just been working on it whenever I felt like it. I don't know if I'll complete it before my session on Monday, but I'm planning on taking it in to show T. I haven't mentioned to T that I'm doing this collage, and I'm not really sure what my expectations are. I keep telling myself that I'm not doing this for T's approval, I'm only doing it for myself, to tap into my creative side in a different way. I do want to go over it with T, though.

So has anyone ever made some kind of collage or other type of art and then taken it in to share with T? Did you talk to your T before you brought it in?

I haven't read any of the responses--but I have. I do art journaling (I am new at it), and have mentioned before that I do it, sort of in passing. One day I got the nerve (after weeks of debating) to bring one in. It was all about fear and quite appropriate for therapy. She really liked it, and I'm sure I could bring in more as well. I also brought in a photo album my mom made for me. She actually asked me to. Now she knows what my family looks like. I wonder how interesting it is that T's learn so much about their client's family life, and probably never really see what they look like. My T was surprised at what my mom looked like---she said she had a different view of her in her head.

[phoenix7]

ive taken poetry and drawing s to T - ive never said before i took them....

please let us know how you go - the collage is a great idea

Originally Posted by sunrise

when I brought in my poem to T, it was really hard to sit there and watch him read it. It was torture! It was like watching someone as they looked right into your soul. There are no curtains or walls in my poetry--it was a direct look in for T, and I had to watch him as he looked in. Aaaaaaccccckkkkk! I had a strong impulse to run out the door.

I remember one thing he asked me was how did it feel to watch him read my poem. Just wanted you to be prepared....

This reminded me...I brought a poem in to T, and felt just like you while he was reading it. And after he read it, he asked me the exact same question yours did! lol They must have gone to the same T school

Wow, thanks for all the encouragement! I don't think I'll chicken out, I'm actually very excited to take it in and show it to T today. It's rather large (20"x32") - I have it folded in half, and I'll have to carry it to T in a trash bag, so T will notice it as soon as she opens her door to let me in! So I imagine we'll dive right in with it at the beginning.

I had some other things I wanted to discuss, but those can wait - I really want to watch T as she looks it over, which may take awhile, since it's so big! But I do wonder what T's reaction will be when she sees what my friends and family look like, and I wonder what my reaction will be as I watch her take it all in. Sounds like I'd better be ready for T to ask me how it felt to watch her look at it! I may surprise myself and get emotional, who knows! I'm going to do my best to be open to whatever comes up, and to share that with T. I did tear up a number of times as I was putting the collage together.

I will definitely post later tonight how it goes!