Creative therapy

i just went down the rabbit hole of learning about sand tray therapy. it really interests me, and i've pooh-poohed all sorts of "eclectic" ideas, but i would have to see another T to try this.

Oh wow, now I could really try this too. I ordered three sets of cards this week to try with clients- soul cards, archetype cards and just some old fashioned Halloween cards. I will just leave them in my room and sometimes people are curious about them and want to take a look. Secretly, I bought them too to show my own t and see if she will try them with me.

I have never heard of this approach but when I hear embodied and relational, I always get excited!
Do you find this approach good for your. Complex post traumatic stress disorder?
A lot of ts are training in EMDR for this but it never really appealed to me because the clicking part is not very relational.

That’s the thing isn’t it? It’s very frustrating having to see different ts for different types of therapy. Very costly too!
Some ts are trained in it but don’t use it much with clients, then other ts use it all the time with clients. I must say I use it a lot with teens and they really embrace it. Especially ones who are struggling with family dynamics.

I would be wary of a t who insisted in participation too. A lot of people can feel shamed and exposed if they are not comfortable with art, it’s almost like mocking them by making them draw or express.
I love the ideA of the stick men comics. I learnt a method called the six part story method that was developed by an Israeli psychologist (I think). That was fun trying that myself in a group but when applied to clients it didn’t work very well.

I love the experiential way that your t works Out There!
Have you tried using mandalas? When I draw it is usually just lots of colours and scribbles and the mandalas work quite well for me.

One of my past therapists had me do art therapy, drawing out scenes of the CSA because I was having too difficult a time speaking about it.

Due to having linked the two like that, from that point onward I wound up being unable to create any artwork without experiencing really bad flashbacks. It wound up costing me an art scholarship and career. Nearly two decades later I still haven't been able to return to art.

I think art therapy has the potential to really help people, but it must be performed properly and responsibly by the therapist. Mine was not and it derailed my life greatly.

Sand tray sounds like something I would like but I don't think my T does it. Early in therapy I once fingerpainted. I'm not sure why I never did it again, as I liked it. T had me make a collage about my mother in one session. Another time I was having trouble talking so she brought out paper and markers. She has also asked me to draw or paint my feelings at home, and then I bring in what I've drawn.

I've played with playdough during my sessions, more as a way of relaxing than for the creativity.

For most of my recent years with my T, I bring in some of my paintings to show her, though often I show her on my phone instead. That's not exactly therapy, but T has been the motivator for pursuing my art, so it's something we talk about often.

Yes, many people who are dealing with trauma benefit from bioenergetic therapy according to my therapist. Just this past week I put on boxing gloves and she had me sitting this punching bag sort of object. It felt good to release some tension that was stuck inside of me ( a rough week at work).

Hi Mona,

I've been doing art therapy for a few years now (in addition to 'normal' talk therapy). I've found out during an inpatient stay where I had an amazing art therapist, that this approach helps me tremendously:
- to be/stay in the present moment
- to get connected to my feelings in this present moment
- to express through painting/drawing/clay/whatever what is happening inside of me.

The experience has been so helpful for me, because through 'doing art' I can bypass my brain and can stop questioning my emotional experience. While I'm doing art whatever comes up just *is* and there's no need for me to analyze or to de-construct or whatever. It is ok as it is. And having this experience, over and over again, helps me to be more accepting of my emotional side, of my feelings. (I used to be pretty disconnected from all things emotional...)

It's not about creating amazing works of art. Sometimes I might like a picture/drawing that comes out in the end. But it's more about the process. What is happening and to express it in paint/colours/other media...

Over the last six months I've been working with a new art T. She uses a method called "clay field" - seems similar (to me) to sand tray work.
At first I was quite wary, I don't like the feel of clay - I thought. I spent weeks trying to "get in touch" with the clay. found out it's not so much about the "feel", it was more about having to "show" myself, feeling exposed, because the clay is "passive", I cannot pick up clues and hints of what the other might "want" from me and act accordingly. But I *have* to start following my own impulse. Which was so, so hard in the beginning.
This new art T also focuses on somatic experiencing. Which makes an interesting mix, since she manages to connect the very haptical, sensory experience with the clay with what is happening in my body and my nervous system...

What I find helpful with all forms of art therapy that I've done so far: It's not so much about the dynamics between you and the therapist. It is more about the dynamics that you express through art. So for me (complex ptsd and very very careful and hesitant with others) this has been really helpful, since dynamics in 'normal' therapy quite often got too confusing (and thus: dangerous) for me.

Basically, there's a lot of really good methods around. I guess you'll have to find an approach that fits you and a skilled therapist and just give it a go and see if and how it works for you.
Wishing you all the best.

Love, c_r

Would it be possible for you to ask your supervisor for recommendations (you know, for referrals for your current and potential clients)?

I did a sand try at a retreat years ago and then did a number of them with my current T when he was still in an office that had access to one. I found them enormously useful, like a window into something I hadn't seen yet. For long periods of time with this T and a previous one, I used creative journaling and shared with them, as that kind of free writing really opens things up for me. I've also recently brought in a sketch pad and pens (I'm a terrible artist) but I'm really doing something representational such as rays from a center so I don't have to be artistic.

Also with a previous T-- and I don't think it was her suggestion, but mine-- I did a collage about how I felt about a particular issue at home. I cut out pictures and words from magazines or what not and then put them together, brought it in to show her. That was a really powerful experience, both the doing and the conversation that opened up.

In my experience it is worth exploring. None of my T's have had any specific training but were willing to support me in whatever I wanted to do.

I like to do mandalas a lot although I do other stuff too - it's Soul Cards 2 that I've been working on with my T , so it's very interesting to hear they've come up for you too !