[Asiablue]

My new therapist is going away from 4 weeks and at my last session this week she asked how i felt about her going away and we had a conversation about that, she is the first therapist to ever have asked how i feel about her going on holiday. Also she prepared me for her being away by giving me arty things to do while she's away. (she's an art therapist) I came away from my session with clay, a mask to decorate, boxes to decorate to represent my inner and outer self etc.

I love that she's thought about asking how i might feel about her being away for so long, although uncharacteristically i am totally fine with this break.
and i love that she's given me stuff to do to help bridge the gap and pass the time.

[kaliope]

that is so cool that your t was considerate of your feelings about her absence and gave you things to do to fill the gap of time when she would be gone. it says much for your comfort level and connection with her that you are going to be ok with such a long time that she is going to be gone. hope you have fun with your activities.

[blur]

asia, this is great. that's cool that she asked how you feel about her break and gave you projects during it. i really like that she gave you projects.

i just signed up for an online art journaling class and am so excited. i have been wanting to try art journaling for awhile, as it is similar to art therapy.

[Asiablue]

Kaliope- i've only had like 6 sessions with her so maybe i'm not totally attached to her but nevertheless i am so surprised and happy to be really ok about this break.

Blur- i love art journalling. I'd be interested to hear how you get on with you online class

That's great Asia, I like the idea of keeping you busy so you don't miss her and it will remind you of her at the same time. It's great
I also like the way she asked how you felt about her holidays, she is a proffessional! Wish they were all that considerate.

[BonnieJean]

How do you locate an art therapist in the US? Are they expensive?

[rainbow8]

I'm glad you love art therapy and like your new T! She sounds very considerate to bring up her going away and give you projects to work on. Four weeks is a long time for a break, though. Is she the only T you're seeing now?

That's great, Asia! She sounds really attentive. It's so cool she's given you things to do while she's away - you'll be able to show her when she gets back

Brilliant! I love to see these threads. Well done to you, and how wonderful you have such a great T.

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by BonnieJean

How do you locate an art therapist in the US? Are they expensive?

Look on psych today site is a place to start. I saw one who was psychodynamic and and art therapist (I did not go for the art therapy part). She charged the same as others I have tested out.

[Asiablue]

Originally Posted by BonnieJean

How do you locate an art therapist in the US? Are they expensive?

American Art Therapy Association

That's the link for the American Art Therapy Association you'll find certified art therapists on there. Their fees are similar to normal therapists.

[Asiablue]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

I'm glad you love art therapy and like your new T! She sounds very considerate to bring up her going away and give you projects to work on. Four weeks is a long time for a break, though. Is she the only T you're seeing now?

Yeah 4 weeks is a long time, not sure if i'm having an outer-body experience or something but i feel very settled and calm about it.

Yes this is the only T i have now.

[Wren_]

that sounds so encouraging and that she has given you something to do while away; and addressed that she was going to be away in such a positive and helpful manner!

[ThisWayOut]

Yay! That's awesome. Glad it is working out.

That's great Asia! My t wasn't an art therapist, but she did do sand play as part of therapy, and I grew to love it so much I put together my own little sand tray at home and I still use it pretty regularly even though I'm no longer in therapy.

[Asiablue]

Artemis-within- I've done a bit of sand tray previously, it's a good way to work, very revealing.

Originally Posted by Asiablue

Artemis-within- I've done a bit of sand tray previously, it's a good way to work, very revealing.

Yep! When I did sand trays in her office, she'd take pictures after I left before taking them apart, so we could talk about them later and she could compare them to each other. So I still take pictures of mine now, so I can work with them later. Interesting note I mentioned one time after I made my own at home that it felt weird taking it apart after the fact, and she said no, don't do that yourself, you need to have someone else take them apart. And don't watch them do it. There's a reason why I'd leave them be until after you left. So now I have hubby or son do it for me. I hadn't even thought of that, it's so fascinating to me I wanted to research why it works but figured that might take the magic out of it so I hadn't realized.

[Asiablue]

Originally Posted by artemis-within

Yep! When I did sand trays in her office, she'd take pictures after I left before taking them apart, so we could talk about them later and she could compare them to each other. So I still take pictures of mine now, so I can work with them later. Interesting note I mentioned one time after I made my own at home that it felt weird taking it apart after the fact, and she said no, don't do that yourself, you need to have someone else take them apart. And don't watch them do it. There's a reason why I'd leave them be until after you left. So now I have hubby or son do it for me. I hadn't even thought of that, it's so fascinating to me I wanted to research why it works but figured that might take the magic out of it so I hadn't realized.

That is interesting, when i did mine i wanted to take them apart myself and put them away, i didn't want to leave it with my therapist at the time. But then i had trust issues with her so maybe that's why.

Also in art therapy i usually tidy things away and last week i didn't and then realised i hadn't a felt guilty for just leaving my mess for T to tidy up and when i spoke to her about it she said i don't need to tidy up at the end, that's her job. She said she also quite likes to look at what's left behind, sometimes she just looks at what the client left, how they left the mess and it let's her see things, everything is info apparently??

I think you're right about everything is info. I also just realized something else while reading that! It's probably helpful for them to look at what's left behind after we leave, when they aren't having to be focused on us being there. Man, I have such respect for my t.

[tinyrabbit]

Your art projects sound so awesome

I imagine it would definitely be interesting to see what was left by the client...

[Asiablue]

Originally Posted by artemis-within

I think you're right about everything is info. I also just realized something else while reading that! It's probably helpful for them to look at what's left behind after we leave, when they aren't having to be focused on us being there. Man, I have such respect for my t.

hmm good point!