FUSION e-Zine for Planet Art Therapy, Vol. 3, No. 1

2011 | VOLUME 3, NUMBER 1 | ISSN 2153-635X A PUBLICATION OF ART THERAPY ALLIANCE, INTERNATIONAL ART THERAPY ORGANIZATION & ART THERAPY WITHOUT BORDERS, INC. Welcome to FUSION Volume 3, Number 1! FUSION highlights international art therapy initiatives and spotlights some of the exciting news, activities, and global work from art therapists worldwide to bring change and transformation to people’s lives and communities everyday. We hope you enjoy this new issue and as always, feel free to share a copy, link, or PDF of FUSION with your colleagues, students, classmates, and others who are interested in the world of art therapy and can benefit from receiving this free publication! Be well, Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT FUSION Executive Editors Art Therapy Without Borders, Inc.INTERNATIONAL POSTCARD EXCHANGE SPOTLIGHT ON ATWB PAGE 6 ADVISORY COUNCIL PAGES 12-14 FEATURES SECTION-PAGES 17-27 1

Why Art Therapy Without Borders ExistsCathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT, PresidentLike many of the 350 people involved in the Art Therapy WithoutBorders International Postcard Art Exchange, I have been busymaking art to send out to fellow artists around the world over the lastsix months. My focus has been on creating images about some of thehistory of art therapy in the US and around the world that I havepersonally experienced. During this process I started to think, “howdoes Art Therapy Without Borders fit into this collective history?” Butmore importantly, another question rose to the surface– why does ArtTherapy Without Borders exist?Several years ago Matt Dunne, former director of AmeriCorps Vistaand currently Manager of Community Affairs at Google, taught me oneimportant thing about non-profit, service-oriented organizations– theymust know why they exist. Organizations that exist only to pay staffsalaries or the rent on office spaces soon lose their souls and cease tobe alive, even though financially stable. So while creating a series ofpostcards like the one you see above, I thought about why ATWB ishere and its reason for “being.” Here is what I wrote on the back of thispostcard:Art’s power to change lives, repair and restore is present all aroundthe planet. Art has the potential to transform lives and often inprofound ways. When words are not enough, we turn to images andsymbols to tell our stories. And in telling our stories through art, we canfind a path to healing, recovery and transformation.Art therapy is larger than any one group or any one country’s history;you are part of the story of art therapy in how you use art to helpothers, each and every day. That is why Art Therapy Without Bordersexists, to help those stories become part of the larger narrative of whatwe call “art therapy.”While some see ATWB as a footnote, we would rather think of thiscommunity as a series of footprints that are marking out the journeysof so many like-minded individuals around the world. Those footprintsplay out every day on ATWB, Art Therapy Alliance and International ArtTherapy Organization’s social media platforms; we have learned neverto underestimate the power of the people to come together via acommon belief that art is transformative and that art therapy ispowerful force that changes lives.Thanks for being part of the story— and let’s use art to wake up theworld!Support for JapanI know many of you have been thinking about the challenges that theJapanese people are currently facing at this time. I have been honoredto be in communication with art therapist Cheryl Okubo who isdeveloping a wonderful initiative as part of Recovery Japan. Please besure to read her report on relief efforts in Japan on page 5.Art Therapy Without Borders recently provided print materials on arttherapy and disaster relief as part of an outreach to AHOKA-Japancoordinated by Nanako Watanabe, a Japanese Americanentrepreneur. Nana has identified professionals in Japan who are inthe process of developing arts programs to support the psychosocialneeds of orphans in the area that the tsunami struck. I’ll be speakingabout this and other updates at the Society for the Arts in HealthcareConference [April 13th -16th, 2011] in a special session on Art andSocial Action that Fiona Chang (ATWB Advisory Council) and I arefacilitating. Look for more updates soon! 2

Community, Connection, Collaboration Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC, SecretaryIt is very exciting to witness and be part of the energy, interest andcommunity that continues to grow within the Art Therapy Without Borderscommunity. Our focus on capacity building through the power of socialmedia and social networking continues to bring together the internationalart therapy community through technology and the many on-line platformswe use for information sharing, resources, and dialogue. Art TherapyWithout Borders and its partners The Art Therapy Alliance and InternationalArt Therapy Organization continue to promote connection through our webcommunities on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, as well as through ATWB’sofficial website and blog. Current news, events, happenings, and updatesabout the world of art therapy, arts in health, and how art is making adifference in transforming lives is easily accessible through the many costfree resources Art Therapy Without Borders’ provides.For those in the Art Therapy Without Borders community who signedup to participate in our International Postcard Art Exchange last fall, Ihope you have enjoyed this art collaboration to learn more about theart therapy community around the world. It has been a pleasure toorganize an art therapy event that helped create a global connection ATWBamong art therapists and students. I have sincerely enjoyed Internationalreceiving, reading, and sending postcard art throughout the last six Postcard Artmonths on behalf of this exchange. You can read more about ExchangeATWB’s International Postcard Art Exchange in this issue. Stayconnected to be alerted about ATWB’s next creative collaborationcoming soon! Art Therapy Without Borders is “Official!” Don Cutcher, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, Treasurer As Treasurer, I am pleased to announce that ATWB have received notification from the Internal Revenue Service that our request for status as a Not-For-Profit 501 ( c ) (3) organization has been approved. Approval has been made effective as of last year on May 7, 2010. For those of you familiar with this status, Art Therapy Without Borders, Inc., is qualified to accept tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the IRS code. We hope you will consider ATWB when making charitable donations this coming year. You can visit our website and make a secure donation of any amount at http://www.atwb.org/Donate.html. 3

FUSION, V. 3, #1 APRIL 2011 IN THIS ISSUE: Recovery Japan ATWB International Postcard Art Exchange Wrap UpExecutive EditorsGretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC 22nd Annual Society for the Arts in HealthcareCathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPAT, LPCC International ConferenceArt Therapy Without Borders, Inc. Art Therapy Alliance Resources & News on LinkedInFeatures EditorElizabeth Beck, MA, ATR ATWB Attends Arts, Crafts, & the Military MeetingSan Francisco, CA, USAContributors New Additions, On the Grid & New CollaborationsElizabeth Beck, MA, ATR Spotlight on ATWB Advisory CouncilDon Cutcher, MA, ATR-BC, LCATCathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT Create Corner: 21 SECRETS Art Journaling WorkshopGretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BCCheryl Okubo, ATR So, You Want to Be an Art Therapist...Ed Regensburg MA, CHt., ATR-BC, LCAT FUSION Features Section:Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., ATR-BC, REAT Art Therapy, Autism & Developmental DisabilitiesPaul Thiam Seng, Lee, MA Stay Connected to Our Global Network!Gloria Simoneaux, MA, REAT, EXAPamela Ullmann, MS, ATR-BC, LCAT,CCLSElizabeth Warson, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, NCCFUSION is dedicated to a newenergy, excitement, and blend ofideas, cultures, and people for asustainable future in art therapy.DISCLAIMERStatements and content found in thispublication do not constitute professionaladvice. Material in this publication may beout of date, incomplete, or inaccurate atthe time of publication. Art TherapyWithout Borders, Inc., The Art TherapyAlliance and IATO cannot be heldresponsible for the content of links inFUSION that direct visitors to websitesmaintained by other groups,organizations, or individuals. 4

Recovery JapanCheryl Okubo, ATRIn the midst of networking with other foreign residents, tending to the needs of children at school andshelters, and picking up the pieces of my own familys private lives, the image of mosaic popped into mymind. All the broken pieces coming together again in a beautiful way...I guess it started when I saw those images on the news and I just kept wondering, how are they evergoing to clean everything up? Being extremely frugal, it gave me the idea of salvaging pieces of therubble in order to restore it in a memorial mosaic. I envisioned people up north making mosaics in theirnewly-rebuilt cities out of the broken pieces.I soon realized that it would be impossible to gather anything from the disaster zone, but right here in mytown so many people had lost a few or nearly all their dishes. My desire to put all those pieces togetherin a new form which would stand as testament of the tsunami and a monument to the people who rebuiltthe city grew bigger and bigger in my mind. Im still thinking of ways for people to join together in makingmosaics and putting them in public places once the cities up north have been rebuilt. For example. I canlead school children here in my area to make mini mosaics that can be rearranged there by schoolchildren who can incorporate them into a larger mosaic. Each city could ask citizens to submit designs,this mosaic project would fund the materials, and a few local artists could assist the other volunteercitizens who put it together. Mosaics to tell the story of the tsunami and how they survived-- mosaics inhigh places to indicate safe refuge for future generations who will surely see another tsunami. Andmosaics along the beach wall or in parks and stations. So many ways to piece it together!I think it is important for average citizens to participate in this project, adding personal items or mementosinto the mosaic. I myself will not be able to work in every city, therefore I will act as coordinator betweenschools or universities, city councils north and south, orphanages in my town and Miyagi, etc. It is myhope that this project will inspire and fund people to bond as a community through artmaking. I will gatheras many broken dishes from Ibaraki and surrounding prefectures as possible and store them in my barnfor a year or so, until the cities up north are ready. Donations to buy adhesives and grout will be neededand greatly appreciated.Cheryl Okubo is an American art therapist living in Ibaraki, Japan. Her city (Tsuchiura) and neighboring city ofTsukuba were affected by the earthquake, but not the tsunami. Shortly after infrastructure was restored, about 800evacuees came to take refuge in public gyms and a convention center. Some of these people lived within 20 km ofthe nuclear power plant in Fukushima, others were from Iwate and had lost their homes to the earthquake and/ortsunami. Cheryl began volunteering at the shelters by gathering items to donate and playing with the childrenstaying there. Parents seemed very strained by their situation but surprisingly most of the children played cheerfully.They seemed to prefer toys to art supplies, but some kids did enjoy drawing, paper folding, and writing. After just 2weeks nearly half the evacuees have found other housing, and within the next few weeks all will be moved out ofher city.At the international school where Cheryl teaches art part time, children were able to express their feelings with theirhomeroom teachers, thanks to their sudden and sincere interest in art therapy. The children were very scaredduring the earthquake, worried and curious about the nuclear power plant, and sad at the subsequent death of theirprincipal. Attached are some photos of the first graders artwork. Cheryl can be contacted through ATWB atinfo@atwb.org Earthquake Tsunami Nuclear Reactor

ATWB International Postcard Art Exchange Wraps Up In October 2010 Art Therapy Without Borders launched an international postcard art exchange to allow community members from the Art Therapy Alliance, International Art Therapy Organization, and Art Therapy Without Borders to receive postcard art from art therapists and and art therapy students living all over the world. Over the last six months, participants have been creating & sending one postcard of art to each of the people in his/her assigned group. On the back of everyone’s postcard art, participants are being asked to write a brief paragraph about their work as an arttherapist and what art therapy is like where they live. This exchange of information andconnection has been great to learn more about art therapy & the work of art therapistsworldwide! With only a few weeks left in the exchange, many are busy finishing their postcardart for mailing. So far we’ve received postcard art from 22 countries Singapore, France, SlovakRepublic, Canada, Ireland, Australia, the UK, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea,Belgium, New Zealand, Hungary, Honduras, Hong Kong, the United States, South Africa,Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Peru. View our Interactive Virtual Google Map of PostcardArt here. Check out the postcards received by ATWB from November 2010- April 2011 via ATWB’s Facebook page or Google Picasa Web Album Get ready for an ATWB marathon tribute on our Facebook page all day April 18 featuring art, blogs, reflections, & more from this exchange! 6

See You Soon @ The Society for the Arts in Healthcare 22nd Annual International ConferenceThe Society for the Arts in Healthcare’s 22nd AnnualInternational Conference, Advancing Patient-Centered Arts, hosted by Stanford Hospital andClinics, will be held April 13-16, 2011 at the HyattRegency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame,California. Hosted by Stanford Hospitals and Clinics,this conference will give attendees the opportunity toexplore model arts in healthcare programs and builtenvironments, gain strategies to successfullyposition arts programs in healthcare institutions, anddevelop leadership and professional skills to excel inthe field. Arts in healthcare professionals, students,supporters, and all who want to learn more about thefield are encouraged to attend.We’re excited about our involvement at this dynamicconference in April. Art Therapy Without Borders isan exhibitor at the event, so if you are attending theconference, please be sure to stop by our table!We’ll have information on ATWB and how to getinvolved in our social networks and community—andeven some of our famous “domino” pins on hand forpurchase as a donation towards ATWB’s efforts.During the conference, Board Members GretchenMiller and Cathy Malchiodi will be leading a panel on“Combat Paper Project: Helping Soldiers UsePapermaking to Reclaim and Reconstruct TheirLives,” from 2:00 pm to 3:30 on Friday, April 15th. OnThursday, Cathy will be facilitating the lunch hourgathering for Medical Art Therapy from 11:30 am to 1pm. Finally, on Saturday, April 16th, from 10:30 am to11:30 am, Cathy will be leading a Bring it ForwardSession, “Exploring Best Practices & CollaborationsThat Use the Arts for Social Transformation toResolve Conflict, Curb Violence & CreateCommunity.” Art and social action is one of our corevalues at ATWB, so it is exciting to have a platform tointeract with others who are passionate about thistopic.Cathy and Gretchen are also excited to bepresenting a day long course on Trauma InformedArt Therapy on Tuesday, April 12th, 2011, at the HyattHotel where the Society’s conference is being heldbefore the SAH conference gets underway!Don’t miss your opportunity to network and learn atthe most comprehensive arts in healthcare event!Find a full schedule, registration information, andmore here. See you soon! 7

Resources & News on LinkedIn ! Art Therapy Discussion Groups on LinkedIn Interested in exchanging ideas, dialogue, resources, and news with art therapists, art therapy students, and interested professionals? Join the Art Therapy Alliance community on LinkedIn, which includes 12 subgroups on a variety of art therapy topics from trauma and loss to medical art therapy. Learn more here. New Group! Art Therapy & Social Action This group is dedicated to discussing topics and ideas exploring the use of art as a form of social action, agent of change and to exchange ideas that promote art therapys role in social justice issues. Make a request to join this group here.Call for Chapters for New BookArt Therapy in Healthcare Older Adults & Art Therapy Group Cathy Malchiodi is currently seeking Welcomes Poppy Spencer as New Moderatorsubmissions for an edited book on arttherapy in healthcare settings. Deadline Poppy Spencer, M.S., ATR, CPCfor submission of a proposal is April joins The Art Therapy Alliance’s11, 2011. subgroup on Art Therapy & Older Adults with NeurodegenerativeThe volume will include a wide range of Disorders as the group’s newpractical and research-based moderator. Poppy is a practicingapplications of art therapy approaches, Registered Art Therapist, Certifiedmethods and programming with a Professional Coach, Facultyvariety of populations ranging from Member at Ringling College of Artchildren through adults. The book will and Design, CEO of The Institute ofinclude several introductory chapters Creative Growth, LLC, the parentthat will cover the history and definitions organization ofof medical art therapy and art in www.coachpoppy.com andhealthcare, professional practice, ethics, www.alzheimercoach.com.cultural sensitivity, and overarchingtheories and approaches. As a keynote speaker in many presentations, workshops, and panels, Poppys specialization focuses on intergenerational groups,For more information on topic areas, caregivers, and the aging population, who live with Alzheimer’s,how to prepare your proposed idea dementia, and other neurodegenerative concerns.submission for consideration, visitThe Art Therapy Alliance’s subgroup onMedical Art Therapy. Welcome Poppy! To make a request to join this group, go here. 8

ATWB Attends Arts and Crafts & the Military Meeting In February, ATWB Secretary Gretchen Miller and ATWB Advisory Council member Elizabeth Warson attended a planning meeting for In Service to Our Nation: Arts and Crafts and the Military at the Art School @ George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. This research project funded from the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design (The University of North Carolina Asheville) is being led by Dr. Tara Leigh Tappert to showcase and study arts & crafts in the military for rehabilitation, vocational training and as recreation to promote well being and healing. The day included presentations by Dr. Tappert and Patrick Sargent, a tour of the George Mason Printmaking Studio and brainstorming ideas for supporting Dr. Tappert’s grant. The meeting brought together artists, organizations, and professionals from the arts and the military, arts and healing, and arts and crafts practitioners, including ATWB’s partner The Combat Paper Project and another ATWB Advisory Council Member, CPP Co-Founder Drew Matott.If you are in the Washington DC area, the Arlington Public Library willbe exhibiting art from the Combat Paper Project throughout the monthof April, including a presentation by Dr. Tappert on April 7. Learn more 9

New Additions! New ATWB Advisory Council Appointment Jennifer Navarro, MA, ATR-BC, LMHC has been adjunct faculty in the Lesley University Expressive Therapies Program for 8 years. She is an artist, art therapist and blogger. Her blog, Altered Art Therapist, focuses on maintaining a personal commitment to art making. Jennifer specializes in using altered books in supervision and recently presented nationally in the US on the topic. She currently works with adults in an inpatient psychiatric setting and for the past 15 years has worked with children, adults and elders in a variety of settings. She runs a vocational arts program that gives clients the skills to create and sell marketable art items. She is passionate about helping people understand and develop their creative abilities. Jennifer maintains a private practice in the Boston, Massachusetts area specializing in supervision. ATWB Creative Arts & Design InternJosh Kale is a freelance graphic designer and currentlyattends Queen’s University of Charlotte where he studies Artand Psychology. After Queen’s, Josh plans to pursue aMaster’s degree in Art Therapy and Counseling. Josh enjoysmeeting new people and creating art with all types ofpopulations. Josh is a Creative Arts Assistant at The Centerfor Dialysis Care in Canfield, Ohio and a Custody Advocatewith the Council for Children’s Rights in Charlotte, NorthCarolina. Josh is a member of International Art TherapyOrganization, Art Therapy Alliance and Ohios Buckeye ArtTherapy Association.ATWB is excited to be working with Josh on an art therapythemed studio art & design project for the organization,including developing a new logo and other graphic work.ATWB Leadership Named to Southwestern College Board of Advisors Art Therapy Without Borders is honored to have Fiona Chang, Cathy Malchiodi, and Gretchen Miller appointed by President James Michael Nolan to serve on Southwestern College’s Board of Advisors to assist with areas of concern, growth or interest that come to the attention of College leadership. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, SWC is a holistic, transformational graduate school specializing in experiential learning, as well as becoming a deeply reflective, holistic licensed professional and agent of deep change. SWC’s educational programs include a Masters Degree in Art Therapy / Counseling.

On the Grid H Mari P Grande is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist in Brooklyn Heights, NY who focuses on helping those with adjustment disorders, and stress related trauma, including anxiety and depression. Ages range from childhood to adulthood. For more information visit www.arttherapistmari.com Linda Turner / Art Therapy in NYC- is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist practicing in New York City. She utilizes art therapy techniques of all kinds, as well as guided imagery, stress reduction strategies, meditation and other supportive methods whether doing art therapy with children, adolescents or adults. Alice Landry is the founder and supervising therapist for Visiting Art Therapy in New York City. Visiting Art Therapy allows clients to discover the healing power of creativity... in their own home! Visiting art therapy is unique in that they will come to you, supplies and all, to work with you individually, in your environment. You can find Visiting Art Therapy on Facebook here. Do you have a website or blog you would like to see listed in an upcoming FUSION? If you can provide us with a reciprocal link on your site, we’d like to talk with you about exchanging and promoting links! New Collaboration: PeaceLove StudiosPeaceLove Studios is a growing community of mental healthadvocates and artists creating conversation of acceptance,understanding and hope.PeaceLove is driven by an expanding number of passionateindividuals who have found a common purpose in spreadingunderstanding around mental illness through creative expression. You can also connect to PeaceLove on Facebook here.We are very excited to connect with PeaceLove through this newcollaboration and look forward to future projects within ourcommunities! May is Mental Health Awareness Month- Check out PeaceLove for events, news, and happenings taking place... 11

Spotlight on ATWB Advisory Council- Laury Rappaport During 2011, Art Therapy Without Borders will be featuring members from the Advisory Council as an opportunity to learn more about their work and some of the art therapy initiatives they are involved in that help support our vision. Laury Rappaport, It took bringing my heart, creativity, mind, and courage to Ph.D., ATR-BC, REAT, invent possible ways of using art for healing. This is the story LMFT, LMHC is an of art therapy. Art Therapists all over the world have their Associate Professor at version of bringing healing through art to people of different Notre Dame de Namur ages, with varying needs. This is our creative spirit in action University in the Art for the benefit of humankind. Therapy Psychology Department and taught in Lesley University’s What do you believe are important considerations or Expressive Therapies emerging issues for the international art therapy Program for over 30 years. community to pay attention to? I think it would be helpful forShe is the Founder of the Focusing and Expressive Arts the international art therapy community to have a centralInstitute whose mission is to cultivate mindfulness, compassion database that provides a registry according to location, areastowards self and others, and expand healing through the arts. of expertise, populations, etc. I would like to see theLaury is a member of The Focusing Institute’s International international art therapy community organized to deliverSupport Team for Ways of Fluid Conflict Resolving and has specific projects towards promoting peace, emotional healing,extensive clinical expertise, training both nationally and and resilience throughout the world. I also think that we needinternationally. Laury is the author of Focusing-Oriented Art to partner with other organizations that are more developed atTherapy: Accessing the Body’s Wisdom and Creative bringing these services, as well as evaluating them throughIntelligence. evidence-based practices.Tell ATWB readers a little about yourself and what yourinterests are in art therapy: I started practicing art therapy in What are some special art therapy projects you are1975 after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy at working on for and in 2011? My area of specialization is thethe State University of NY at Buffalo. People are often development of Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy (FOAT). Ishocked to hear that I actually received a degree in Art created FOAT after synthesizing Eugene Gendlin’s FocusingTherapy back then. At that time, there were very few art (1981; 1996) with art therapy for 35 years with various clinicaltherapy programs in existence. After transferring schools twice populations and in different settings. I see FOAT as aand settling on the idea of studying occupational therapy, I mindfulness practice that helps people to cultivate greateroverheard someone in the hallway say, “art therapy.” I was awareness, compassion, listening, emotional healing, andshocked and approached the student, inquiring, “Do they have problem-solving with creative expression. To complement myArt Therapy here?” He answered, “No, well sort of.” I replied, book on Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy, I recently completed a“Sort of? What does sort of mean?” It turned out that the CD, Focusing for Wellbeing: Guided Exercises. In addition touniversity had a program in which students could design their teaching the Focusing and arts process, the CD contains threeown major by submitting a proposal to a committee. I put mindfulness exercises based on the teachings of Thich Nhattogether courses in psychology, art, a reading list with the few Hanh.art therapy books, and a self-designed practicum at a localstate hospital with children. In 2011 I will continue teaching Art Therapy at Notre Dame de Namur University. One exciting project there is that I bring myAfter graduating, I continued this pioneering spirit by looking up students to two homeless shelters where we offer art for stressall the possible places that had mental health related services, reduction. This summer I will offer FOAT trainings in Hongsending letters of interest along with an insert enclosed on Kong and Japan and give a lecture on FOAT with Trauma at“What is Art Therapy” and how it could benefit their program. several universities. A group from Korea is coming to myMy first interview was with the Head Master of a residential Focusing and Expressive Arts Institute in California to train intreatment center for adolescent boys with learning disabilities, FOAT (and my book is contracted to be translated intoDeVeaux School in Niagara Falls, NY. The school Korean).administrators had never heard of Art Therapy but they listenedto me, and then offered me a position as the first Art Therapist.Over the course of 35 years I have many stories of bringing How can people contact you or find out more about yourthe use of art to adults, children, couples, families, agencies, work? People can learn more about the Focusing andand staff. I share this story as my own personal story and Expressive Arts Institute and my work through my website,more…it is also a story about the development of Art Therapy. www.focusingarts.com. I can be reached through email:It took “going outside of lines” for me to develop a major in Art laury@focusngarts.comTherapy and to create jobs in art therapy. 12

Spotlight on ATWB Advisory Council- Elizabeth Warson Elizabeth Warson, What are some special art therapy projects you are PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, working on and for 2011? In collaboration with the Coharie NCC is an Assistant tribe and North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs – Professor in the through funding from the NEA–we are conducting monthly Graduate Art Therapy cultural art workshops for the youth in two settlements of the Program at George Coharie tribe. The documentation from workshops will lead to Washington University. She a traditional arts curriculum for the Cohaire, contributing to is on the Board of their archiving and preservation efforts. Two traditional artists Directors for the Society from the tribe serve as the workshop facilitators. for the Arts in Healthcare and serves as the co-chair for the Society’s research Through the GW Summer Institute program, we are offering a committee. Her research two-week American Indian Art Therapy immersion experienceinterests focus on American Indian cancer survivors and their with the Oglala tribe on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation infamily members and is the recipient of a Johnson and Johnson South Dakota. This trip is open to students and professionalsgrant, co-sponsored by the Mayo Cancer Clinic’s Spirit of not affiliated with George Washington University. Learn moreEAGLES program and a 2010 National Endowment for the Arts here.grant. As a professional artist, she has exhibited her sculpturalwork nationally and internationally. I am presently wrapping up two studies: An American CancerTell readers a little about yourself and what your Society grant provided me with funding to conduct 14interests are in art therapy: Like many art therapists, I am wellness-based art therapy workshops for American Indiana person with diverse interests. Depending on the day, I may cancer survivors in North Carolina. An internal grant fromidentify myself as an artist, researcher, instructor, workshop George Washington University supported a one-dayfacilitator, mentor…. Being an artist is the core of who I am; I community workshop exploring the interrelationship betweensavor my time in the studio and am always looking for venues American Indian medicine and art therapy.to exhibit my work. I feel fortunate that my day job as anassistant professor at George Washington University providesme with a supportive environment for all my endeavors. Art This fall I will be conducting a two-day felting makingtherapy has always made “sense” to me regardless of the workshop for the Native People’s Circle of Hope conference inpolitics, lack of employment, and misconceptions about the Billings, Montana. This workshop is an extension of my workfield. What make “sense” to me these days is collaborating with my collaborator John Lorance. John and I have beenwith American Indians/Alaska Natives/Native Hawaiians on offering therapeutic feltmaking workshops together sincewellness-based initiatives. My “story” can be accessed from a 2006.recent article from GWToday. How can people contact you or find out more aboutWhat do you believe are important considerations or your work? You can contact me directlyemerging issues for the international art therapy ateawarson@gwu.edu or 703-299-4147 or you can facebookcommunity to pay attention to? Community-based me at Elizabeth Warson. Because much of my researchparticipatory approaches are on the frontline of research and becomes property of the tribal communities I partner with, Ihave relevance to practitioners with respect to developing am unable to routinely publicize their artwork on the internet.successful partnerships. Collaboration from the inception of I have a couple publications coming out this year that I willany program/study is vital to creating sustainable practices, link to my GW faculty homepage. Our graduate program alsowhich is key to working with underserved communities. maintains a blog that chronicles our research, internationalInternational organizations such as Art Therapy without excursions, and special events.Borders and the Society for the Arts in Healthcare areproviding the platform to create successful collaborativerelationships. American Indian Art Therapy- Summer Institute Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota Learn more about the program here 13

Spotlight on ATWB Advisory Council- Paul Lee Thiam Seng Currently, it seems to me there are different versions of art (Paul) Lee Thiam therapy in foundation and beliefs. Furthermore, this seems to Seng, MA is a be diversified into other sub categories (expressive art Singapore born therapy, sand therapy, play therapy, music therapy, interactive artist, art therapist, and drawing therapy, photo therapy, etc.). It is therefore confusing consultant. Paul is the to the public and lacks cohesiveness among the art therapy Founder of UniqArts profession. It is probably one of the reasons why art therapy and Technologies can not be well defined as a profession independently. currently in private practice and running workshops for institutions, Another aspect for the international art therapy community group and individuals. Paul that might be useful includes more clinical research to collect has experience with evidence about how art therapy works. It seems to me that providing art therapy to there are many art therapy works written in a case studies individuals and groups format. In addition, also having clinical research with an with special needs, in the international review board and a team with other health caremedical setting, and schools throughout Singapore. Paul is professionals could be useful. This research could then bepassionate about art therapy for enhancing wellness and shared within the profession or even to the public to helphealth, as well as for positivity and happiness. He initiated the increase understanding about how art therapy works.Positive+Happiness Art Therapy professional group onLinkedIn and implements this focus for corporate retreatprograms, schools and institutions. What are some special art therapy projects you are working on in 2011? I am exploring funding andTell readers a little about yourself and what your opportunities to do clinical art therapy research for cancerinterests are in art therapy: Art is my passion. I am patients. There is strong evidence to suggest the potential ofpromoting a notion that prevention is better than cure. In psychological healing through creative art therapy. Furtheraddition, I believe in positive psychology as well and therefore, research will need a prolonged period of study, institutionalit is my interest to focus the use of art therapy to facilitate funding, and scientific analysis. I am hoping such research topositive thinking and life styles. To me, it is far more useful to be carried out to aid women with breast cancer in theirbuild inner resources rather than trying to open psychological healing and recovery journey. Potentially, it could help definewounds without healing. When a person is in trouble or the scientific healing in art therapy for patients as a form ofencountering life crisis, he or she will probably be in need of prevention and recovery from battling from their cancerthese internal resources to cope with this crisis and to become disease.stronger after the crisis. Without this pool of mental strength,some people might suffer from mental breakdown andillnesses. In addition, I am integrating art therapy into How can people contact you or find out more aboutcreativity training and corporate human resources your work? I can be contacted by email:development. By using art therapy to unleash creative talents paulleets@gmail.com or at 65-63441670. My web site isof individuals and groups, it seems possible to heighten the http://www.uniqarts.com.sg.unconscious level of human potential to improve quality ofwork and life. My interest in art therapy also includes thecapacity to develop inner creativity to its full potential becauseart connects to our creative intuition. Since art therapyprovides a tangible product of creative self; the capacity for Check out Paul’s Positivity + Happiness Artpost therapy, reflection, change, transformation and growth is Therapy Group on LinkedIn- This groupenormous. integrates creativity, art therapy & positive psychology into practice. It is based on theWhat do you believe are important considerations or belief that prevention is better than cure.emerging issues for the international art therapycommunity to pay attention to? To me, the internationalart therapy community will flourish further with a recognizedstandard education system that covers an agreed fundamentalin art therapy training. 14

Create Corner21 SECRETS Art Journal Playground- Spring 2011Get ready for Dirty Footprints Studio’s21 SECRETS!What’s 21 SECRETS? Created by Creative JuicyMaven, Fearless Painter, and Dirty FootprintsStudio Founder Connie Hozvicka, 21 SECRETSis an online, self guided, art journalingworkshop. Participants will receive theopportunity to learn different techniques,methods, and approaches to art journalingfrom a stellar group of 21 artists through August 1.As a virtual workshop, this means you can enjoythe art journaling fun from anywhere, anytime, onyour schedule, and at your own pace throughoutthis time. How nice is that?The group of 21 instructors includes fellow art &expressive therapists Gretchen Miller, Erin Learn more about 21Kenepp, Kelley Brown, and Silky Hart. For only SECRETS and how to register$59 you can enjoy the entire art journaling here. Registration is openplayground and come play with us! until May 31, 2011 Kelley Brown Erin Kenepp Silky Hart Gretchen Miller Art Journaling as Mixed Media Expressive Hart Creativity in a Creative Artist Motion Process Becoming Paint ready for Adding Brave Writing revolution Dimension Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop To register go to: http://bit.ly/gY9WFs 15

So,You Want to Be an Art Therapist... Psychology Today’s The Healing ArtsCathy Malchiodi’s The Healing Arts on the Psychology Today hasbeen featuring the series, So, You Want to Be an Art Therapist...This series takes a look at educational topics important for thoseconsidering a career in art therapy and the challenges art therapistsface:So You Want to be an Art Therapist, Part One: Art Therapy as aCareer Path: So how cool would it be to get a degree in art therapyand become an art therapist? Thats a complicated question; thisseries will give you the best information on how to make thatdecision. So You Want to be an Art Therapist, Part Two: Art Therapy Education: Its all about the good, the bad, and the "challenging" about being an art therapist in the 21st century, starting with art therapy education.So You Want to Be an Art Therapist, Part Three: The Art TherapyCredentials Maze: LPAT, ATR, ATR-BC, LPC, LMHC, LPCC...whichletters after your name will get you your art therapist dream job? So You Want to be an Art Therapist, Part Four: Can I Get an Art Therapy Job? A counselor in art therapist clothing? So You Want to be an Art Therapist, Part Five: The Tale of Two Art Therapists Two tales of art therapy as a career path Follow future posts in this series via The Healing Arts @ Psychology Today 16

FUSION FEATURES SECTION In this issue’s Features Section, FUSION highlights art therapy, autism, & disabilities with the following articles and contributors:• Art Therapy and Children with Autism: Gaining Access to Their World through Creativity Pamela Ullmann, MS, ATR-BC, LCAT, CCLS• Drawn To The Table: Why Children On The Spectrum Need Art Psychotherapy As A Required Service Ed Regensburg MA, CHt., ATR-BC, LCAT• A Sacred Space In Nairobi Gloria Simoneaux, MA, REAT, EXA• Stitched Together: Working with Dually Diagnosed Developmentally Disabled Adults Elizabeth Beck, MA, ATR Interested in submitting an article for FUSION’s Features Section? Please contact Features Editor, Liz Beck, MA, ATR at liz@lizbeck.net Review our Guidelines for Submission on page 22... 17

Art Therapy and Children with Autism: Gaining Access to Their World through Creativity Pamela Ullmann, MS, ATR-BC, LCAT, CCLS Art making can be a particularly effective have extensive experience with other populations;therapy for people with autism. Because they tend and so it is important that the therapist recognizeto have difficulty processing sensory input and are this at the beginning of treatment of an autisticoften non-verbal, autistics respond well to visual, child. One must also keep in mind that childrenconcrete, hands-on therapies. Many people who with autism do not “shut out” others intentionally,work with this population know this, and, whether but in order to help them make sense of their worldor not they have art therapy training, include art and regulate their over- or under-stimulatedmaking in their clients activities. There are sensory channels. Therapists need to respect thislimitations to our knowledge of why and how plain fact, and resist any impulse to try andtherapeutic art making actually works for autistics. change the process. In my experience, the autisticThese limitations of understanding result from the child will eventually allow for joint interactions asdifficulty of standardized assessment, the near the therapeutic relationship continues.impossibility of quantifying the experience ofmaking art, and the small number of art therapists When working with groups, it is just aspublishing on the topic. Nonetheless, the abundant important to always remain flexible and to adapt toamount of research literature explicates that art the different levels of functioning displayed bymaking is an effective, clinically-sound treatment each child. Sometimes providing a theme to the artoption for autism when supplemented with studies making helps give the children a focus while stillfrom the fields of art, art education, psychology, allowing for changes and flexibility. Here is anand other creative arts therapies. (Martin, 2009). example of a group art therapy directive with that incorporates all three key treatment areas With regards to autistic children, art (communication, socialization, and imagination).therapy can help to increase communication and This format can be adapted to other art activities.social skills, develop a sense of individuality, build The session is structured to have a beginning,of relationships, and facilitate sensory integration middle and end, with clear boundaries. This(Betts, 2005). Children on the autism spectrum structure is especially effective for children withstruggle with these challenges to varying degrees, autism because it serves as a comforting routine.but communication in general is probably the most Aides or volunteers are used in a ratio appropriatedifficult challenge of all. To understand how art for the level of functioning and the individual needstherapy assists communication, we need to of each group member.understand precisely what “communication”means for the autistic child. It does not just meanlanguage, but rather the totality of thecommunicative framework that appears frominfancy onward (Evans & Dubowski, 2007). Theexpressive aspects of art therapy thus help autisticchildren communicate by providing an additionalmethod for interpersonal interaction. Determining the appropriate therapeuticinterventions for any given autistic child relies onaccurately assessing the child’s developmentallevel. Within the broader developmental context,art therapy can be used to engage an autisticchild’s relationships to communication,socialization, and imagination. Of course, arttherapy can also tap into emotional issues;however, the client will probably need to work inthe above three domains first, before being able tosuccessfully access deeper emotions. This can besomewhat counter-intuitive for art therapists who 18

• Theme: Friendship Bear in mind that working with this population can be very challenging. What works for one• Directive: Create images related to friendship, session or child may not for another. It is important friends, and children. Group project (mural) will to remain open-minded and aware of each child’s be included. status in each moment; in essence, we are constantly assessing, adapting, and co-creating• Beginning of session: Have children sit at table our sessions with the children with whom we work. and introduce theme/project. Show pictures related to friendship and see verbal and non- verbal reactions to photos. Ask children to References design their own “friend” (using multicultural outlines of gingerbread style figures). Offer a Autism Speaks (2011). What is Autism? Retrieved variety of pre-cut papers, fun googly-eyes and from http://www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/ drawing materials as well. Encourage sharing of index.php materials, and recognizing each other’s work. Betts, D. J. (2005). The art of art therapy: Drawing• Middle of session: Invite children to help individuals out in creative ways. Advocate: decorate a group friendship poster/mural by Magazine of the Autism Society of America, 26-27. adding their “friend” to the paper and continue to fill in the environment where the friends can play. Evans, K., & Dubowski, J. (2001). Art Therapy with Offer “starters” (such as some outlines of trees children on the Autistic Spectrum: Beyond Words. or grass) and direct aides to help children. London, UK: Jessica Kingley. Assess how children are working together – whether they are staying contained in work area Martin, N. (2009). Art Therapy and Autism: or are becoming over-stimulated. Allow children Overview and recommendations. Art to take short breaks with their aides if needed. Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 26 (4), 187-190.• Closure: Offer children some free time to play creatively with sensory materials such as model magic or some drawing with crayons or markers. Then, if the group is still focused (and there are verbally-expressive children participating), Pamela Ullmann is an art therapist working with conduct a “sharing circle” where they will be children and families in New Jersey and the New encouraged to describe their friend to the group York Metropolitan area. She has a private practice/ or ask about another group member’s work. consulting agency called Colors of Play and has recently founded the non-profit, Healing Arts Goals and Outcomes: Family Connection. Links to Pamela’s blogs are:• http://colorsofplay.blogspot.com and http:// 1. Children will learn about “working together.” creativefamilies.wordpress.com. She is also a 2. Children will learn social skills and group regular contributor to Our Journey Through awareness by sharing materials and Autism. Email comments or questions to: comments. Pamela@colorsofplay.com 3. Children will experience the sensory aspects of collage, texture, and art Editor’s Note: Pamela is also moderator of The Art materials. Therapy Alliance’s subgroup Art Therapy & Autism 4. Children will have choices and be able to on LinkedIn for community members who are express creatively. interested in discussing and learning more autism. 19

Drawn To The Table: Why Children On The Spectrum Need Art Psychotherapy As A Required Service Ed Regensburg MA, CHt., ATR-BC, LCAT Children and adults diagnosed with a PDD, Mind – The center of consciousness thatAutism, or Asperger’s Disorder (collectively called generates thoughts, feelings, ideas, andAutism Spectrum Disorder [ASD] in the proposed perceptions, and stores knowledge andrevisions of the DSM V) are at risk for being memoriesmisunderstood, and not treated with an effectivetherapeutic technique. This is mostly due to a To treat the spirit, soul and mind of awidely-held belief that these individuals are not child on the Autistic spectrum, we must have agood candidates for traditional psychotherapy, practical treatment pathway. The treatment mustbecause of some the common symptoms of ASD: be able to be applied in a way that does notdiminished internal self-regulation, the inability to threaten the child’s autonomy and is not solelyutilize cognitive processes for appropriate self- focused on intellectual or cognitive functioning, orexpression, and difficulty in building functional simple behavior modification. We must enter intosocial skills such as effective interpersonal the child’s emotional and spiritual world if we arecommunication. These features can lead to to understand and modify the underlying emotionalseemingly “uncontrolled” behaviors, which are drivers of behavior. We now know fromdifficult to understand and often have negative neuroscientific research that the brain is not theconsequences. “fixed matter” once believed. Rather, current research supports the idea of neuroplasticity, The widely-accepted approach of using which is the ability of the brain to change, grow,behavioral shaping techniques, such as Applied and rejuvenate according to human experienceBehavior Analysis (ABA) may modify a pattern of and need (Hancock, 2010).dangerous behavior and increase function level,but many children treated this way become Because children on the spectrum havestressed when they are asked to conform in public compromised communicative abilities in manyplaces such as schools, treatment facilities, cases, there exists a need for alternate pathwaysrestaurants, and shopping malls. These to facilitate therapy. Creative arts therapy may fillmainstream systems were designed for “normal” just such a need. However, the mainstreamchildren, and may not always work for the ASD treatment community remains mostly unfamiliarchild. ASD children respond to a different range with therapeutic modalities based on the creativeand dimension of stimuli than non-ASD children. arts. However, art psychotherapy is a therapeuticWhen these stimuli are appropriately understood, pathway through the visual dimension, which canthey can be incorporated into the treatment model, serve as an effective, natural connection to theimproving the effectiveness of the therapeutic internal, multi-sensory world of the ASD child.intervention. Art therapy for ASD children has two Art psychotherapy is a discipline whose dimensions: behavioral functioning and internalterminology is oftentimes inadequately defined. process. Firstly, behavioral functioning is primarilyFor the purposes of this article, we will use the addressed through the acts of arriving on time forfollowing working definitions (Soukhanov, 1999): a session, finding the correct seat in the art room, collecting appropriate art making materials, Psyche – The human spirit or soul following instructions, handling materials appropriately, and cleaning up. Second, the Therapy -“the treatment of physical, operation of conscious and unconscious emotional mental or behavioral problems that is and spiritual expression, is moving towards meant to cure or rehabilitate somebody resolution. The internal process in an art therapy (often used in combination).” session includes deductive reasoning, discriminatory selection, cathartic release and Art - “the creation of beautiful or thought transformation, spiritual perceptions, sublimation provoking works, for example, in painting, of aggressive drives, and orientation within time music or writing” and and space. 20

Art therapy results in conquering the fear of failure each other’s process in order to be effective andand replacing it with pride and accomplishment – not fragment the child’s experiences.which can sometimes be even more scary than The two dimensions of behavioral functioning andfailure. Even when the therapeutic process seems internal process must each be developed andchaotic, it is usually a necessary and healthy carefully balanced. If we merely shape behaviorphase of treatment that can be understood as an from the outside, and fail to see how and whereadaptive regression in service of the ego (Kris, stimuli are experienced, we may become bogged1952). down in a long-term dance for power and control. Unfortunately, we may then miss the opportunity to Art therapy can result in improved ability of connect with the child, validate their experience onthe ASD child to withstand, self-regulate, process, the planet and above all share the love they, likecontain, structure, and manage the chaotic all humans, desire and need to survive and thriveemotions in daily life. This fact is demonstrated in our world, especially during these challengingtime and again through this process. The artwork times.is but a mirror – a frozen moment in time,capturing the child’s dynamic world. The forms, Referencescolors, and other symbols inside the artwork canbe de-coded to understand the child’s experience, American Psychiatric Association (2000).which leads to accurate diagnosis, effective Diagnostic and statistic manual of mentaltreatment, and holistic understanding. disorders (4th ed.) Washington D.C.: Author. American Psychiatric Association. DSM V In the over thirty years of experience I’ve Proposed Revision of Autistic Disorder. Retrievedhad with various populations, there has always July 11, 2010 from http://www.dsm5.org/been a transcendent, spiritual dimension to image ProposedRevisions/Pages/creation. With ASD children, this phenomenon can proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94become the primary focus of “treatment”. In hisbook, The Soul of Autism, William Stillman writes Association for Behavior Analysis International.of spiritual perception in ASD children, opening Retrieved July 11, 2010 fromwith a poignant quote from a mother of a child with www.abainternational.orgautism: Chopra, D. (1989). Quantum healing: exploring the “Okay, here’s a weird theory and something to frontiers of mind/body medicine. New York: think about: Because our children are sensitive Bantam Books. to sights, sounds, smells, and so on, could they Davies, P. (1983). God & the new physics. New possibly be more in tune with the spirit world as York: Simon & Schuster. well?” (15) Dossey, L. (1982). Space, time & medicine. Whether we believe ASD is a condition, Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc.disease, or simply an alternative genetic spiritualreality (Chopra, 1989; Davies, 1983), it is without Hancock, P. Neuroscience and art. Retrieved Julydoubt a different way to perceive life and therefore 11, 2010 from http://www.telluridearttherapy.com/demands a “treatment” modality that takes into neuroscience.htmaccount its unique set of requirements.Interestingly, art therapists themselves could be Kris, E. (1952). Psychoanalytic explorations in art.said to be “differently-abled” – they spend a Madison, Conn.: International Universities Pressmajority of their natural lives inside a sensory- Myss, C. (speaker) 1996. Anatomy of the spirit: theoriented consciousness within the greater seven stages of power and healing. (Cassetteintellectually-oriented world. This is the special Recording). Boulder, Co: Sounds True.bond that is experienced between the art therapist Stillman. W. (2008). The soul of autism: lookingand the child with autism. beyond labels to unveil spiritual secrets of the Art Therapy may be able to be constructed heart savants. Franklin Lakes, NJ:Career Press.to include more formal behavioral treatment (ABA) Soukhanov, A. (Ed.). (1999). Encarta world Englishby utilizing the functional tasks inherent in any art dictionary. New York: St. Martins Press.making experience, however the two disciplinesmust be fully integrated, conscious, and trained in 21

Note: FUSION has edited this article due to FUSION FEATURE SUBMISSIONspace limitations, please view the full article GUIDELINEShere. We accept submissions of articles andBiographies: personal essays, including case studies. Topics of interest include all aspects of clinicalEd Regensburg is a licensed, board certified work, supervision, research, and practiceprofessional Art Therapist with over 30 years relevant to the field of Art Therapy. Currently,of experience. In addition, he is trained in we are looking for shorter articles that rangehypnotherapy and psycho-spiritual from 500-1000 words. We do not pay forphenomena. His model of care, CREATIVE submissions.SANCTUARY®, is the summation of his life’smission, to reach people “when words alone About FUSION:are not enough”™ Unlike traditional programs,this model combines creative arts with FUSION is an e-zine inspired by membersfunctional skill building techniques to help and work of the Art Therapy Alliance andpeople resolve inner conflicts and to heal and International Art Therapy Organization [IATO],grow. Ed maintains a private practice and is as well as a voice for news, stories, and theavailable for workshops, consultation, andtreatment @ eareg@optonline.net art therapy community worldwide. FUSION iswww.creativesanctuary.com or 631-493-0933. dedicated to a new energy, excitement, and blend of ideas, cultures, and people for aInitial editor, Lauren Fabrizio holds a Masters sustainable future in art therapy.degree in Art Therapy and is currently a fulltime art psychotherapist in a large agency,working with people with developmental Requirements of the writing process:disabilities. Lauren is also in post-graduatetraining learning the CREATIVESANCTUARY® model and is helping Ed to • Consider the relevance of the topic for thebring his message to the world. field of art therapy.© 2010 Ed Regensburg, ATR-BC, LCAT • Use a clear, concise, engaging, and accessible writing style. • When referring to research findings, explain its relevance for clinical practice or the human experience. • When writing, use a conversational voice. • Please include references (APA style) when applicable. To submit materials: Please send a copy in Microsoft Word of your manuscript to Features Editor, Liz Beck, MA, ATR; liz@lizbeck.net. 22

A Sacred Space In Nairobi Gloria Simoneaux, MA, REAT, EXA “my friend,” as reported by teacher Pascal.Editor’s Note: Initials have been used in place “Your friend, he is so happy.” N.D. isof client names and permission has been constantly on the move…jumping up andreleased for the professional use of down like a Maasai warrior, humming, runningphotographs used for this article. and moving his hands in front of his face. When he finishes one painting, he runs and In Kenya, 4% of children have been places it on the counter to dry and runs to thediagnosed as autistic (Autism Society of other side of the room for another paper. HisKenya). In my opinion, many cases remain area is filled with paint because he paints bigundiagnosed due to the stigma attached and brush strokes. Often, he eats a corner of thethe lack of understanding about paper before painting.developmental disorders. In September 2003,a “special unit” opened at the City Primary M.I. has a thin face with a large, sharp noseSchool, Nairobi, initiated by parents of and a stunning smile. He barks orders to thechildren with autism. Their philosophy: other children, and then smiles. “Sit down!“Autistic people have the right to be Finish your painting! Put your paper overrecognized as a whole person by society.” there!” He doesn’t like to get paint on himself and sometimes he points to a very small bit of Harambee Arts, the small Kenya paint on his wrist knowing that I will get abased NGO that I founded in 2007, offers two towel and clean it. He likes, and expects meweekly painting groups to the children at City to stand next to him, and hold his painting soPrimary School. Forty of the 60 students are it doesn’t move as he paints. My fingersgiven gorgeous colors, plentiful paper, become green or red. The boy has magicbrushes and freedom to express themselves. qualities and I am under his spell. M.I. uses one color per painting. He calls meEntry from author’s journal, October 2010: over, “Excuse me, I need more color purple.” As I’m pouring paint onto his palette, he takesWe worked with the more severe autistic and hold of my hand and tries to squeeze outdown syndrome children today. Their more. Today he yells, “N.D., paint properly.appreciation, love of painting and That’s enough. You’ve made too manyconcentration is remarkable. They would paint paintings.” I say, “It’s okay. N.D. can keepall day if they were allowed. During the 2-hour painting.” “Alright,” says M.I., “one more.”group, a young boy wandered in from anotherclassroom…that happens regularly. The Pascal, the teacher, said to M.I., “You mustteacher said, “This child loves painting” and use all the colors. Not just one.” He ishe was welcome. Th boy sat alone and talked uncomfortable with a completely red painting,loudly to himself, “Color blue, color white, I guess. Or a blue one. I say kindly, “Pascal,color yellow, color shamba (hut in Kiswahili).” he can paint whatever he wants to paint.” Pascal smiles, and says, “I understand.” I’mS.I. sometimes eats the paint (today his lips not sure about that.were green) and flicks his wet brush in mydirection, laughing, as I walk by. I always havepaint on my clothes and hair by the time I J.O., sitting next to M.I., is singing his ownleave. I say, “No, S.I…that is bad manners.” special song. I.S. is copying J.U.’s workHe doesn’t care. precisely and surprisingly. He has a way of looking out of the corner of his eye withoutN.D. loves to paint and he is fast. Today he moving his head. You don’t even notice thatpainted 50 paintings, maybe more. He is now he is copying until suddenly you see that I.S.’s painting is identical to J.U.’s. 23

S.L. has a beautiful aura around miss it. Also, the parents have a betterhimself and stares at his paintings with attitude. They see that their children can doadoration as though he is gazing upon his something and even excel at something. Thebeloved. J.O. only paints red paintings. painting has made the children so social, soWhenever he gets the chance he kisses my friendly. J.E…before he didn’t talk. Sincehand with great tenderness. painting, he speaks now. A.D.’s mom shared, ‘A.D. is very happy. He has stayed a long time M.A., who had previously been without attacking someone.’ His mom is“tethered to a table at home all day” when his illiterate but she sees the changes in him.parents left for work, is overjoyed to see us. Now he wants to come to school and asks forHe repeats, “painting, GOOD!” throughout the colors at home. F.A., she is very bright thesesession. He adores using my camera and days. She is starting to remember things.says (what sounds like), “pizza, pizza” when James’ father shared, ‘What did you do to myhe sees me. He is actually saying, “picture, boy? He won’t go to another school.’ It is onlypicture,” asking to use the camera. now that we are being enlightened on this issue…seeing the benefits and the changes is I have taught most of them to use the very strong. If you didn’t come, what would wecamera, and they do well. Some can’t figure be doing with these children?”out how to use the viewfinder with an openeye, others hold the viewfinder in the middle There were numerous breakthroughs today.of their forehead. N.O. a beautiful boy, holds F.A. painted lines going in new directions andthe camera in the middle of his forehead with CIRCLES! She laughed!the lens pointing at the ceiling. He takes suchdelight in having the camera strap around his N.D. stroked my hair and brought me myneck and holding the camera in his hands and water bottle (he discovered it at the bottom ofhas taken unusual ceiling shots. my purse), with the top unscrewed. His loving ways of communicating are thrilling. Sometimes when a parent comes topick up their child, they will be asked to pose Twice a week, in a paint-splatteredfor a photo. One of them shared, “I don’t know schoolroom in Nairobi, Harambee Arts and thehow to use that professional camera. I can’t City Primary children create a sacred spacebelieve what our children are learning to do together. With paints, the children explore andhere.” express their radiance and they feel proud. Harambee Arts staff continue the workwhen I am traveling elsewhere. They see Gloria Simoneaux is founding director ofbeyond the burns and the tongues hanging Harambee Arts, an expressive artsout and the drooling…beyond the differences. organization and training program based inIn the art room, twice a week, there are no Sub-Saharan Africa. Harambee Arts isdifferences. There is joy and expression by designed to serve children globally who havechildren who are seen by society as useless. been traumatized by illness, poverty, violence, autistic spectrum disorder and other crises. At the beginning, the teachers said, Gloria taught Expressive Arts to counselors in“You can paint with the children, but you must Nairobi as a Fulbright scholar, affiliated withdraw forms and they will color them in.” I said, the Kenya Association of Professional“We are going to try something different here.” Counselors. She is the Founder ofOver the years, teachers and parents have DrawBridge and has worked with pediatricshared: oncology patients in San Francisco. She is currently a consultant with Save the Children. “The children have become so creativeand they have a great attitude. On Tuesdayand Thursday they know you are coming, andthey yell, ‘painting, painting.’ They have hopenow and they like school. They don’t want to 24

A Sacred Space In Nairobi Gloria Simoneaux, MA, REAT, EXA25

Stitched Together: Working with Dually Diagnosed Developmentally Disabled Adults Elizabeth Beck, MA, ATR Working with Developmentally As time went on, I realized that whileDisabled (DD) adults who are also diagnosed the A and B system worked well for thewith an Axis I mental illness was one of the most mandatory 30 minute art group, it left little timechallenging jobs I have ever undertaken. The for clients to really get into the creative process.facility was unlocked, housing approximately 30 Many were disappointed they couldn’t workclients with an average length of stay of one to longer and asked to take art supplies to theirthree years. Operating under the Recovery rooms or to have time alone in the art area. InModel (National Association of Social Workers, response, I created an open art group that took2006), the mission of the facility was to serve as place twice a week for two hours, allowing thosea stepping stone to group homes or supported clients who wanted to spend more time makingliving environments, with the eventual goal of art to do so in an environment supported by staff.reintegration with the wider community. This also made possible more complex projects that take more time, created by both individuals I was the first art therapist to work in and small groups.this facility, and therefore had the opportunity toestablish a group art therapy program. An almost immediate realization wasFortunately, I was supported with a monthly art that highly structured directives seemedbudget and open-minded staff who were eager frustrating and boring to most clients, many ofto embrace this new modality within the already- whom were between the ages of 18 and 25.established therapeutic system. Although they were functioning, on average, between the ages of four and eight, many I faced several challenges with seemed to experience Erikson’s stages (Kail &developing a cohesive art therapy group. Firstly, Cavanaugh, 2008) according to their physicaleach resident had a complicated, unique age as they worked through identity formation,diagnosis, ranging from mild to moderate mental romantic relationships, peer relationships, andretardation along with depression, individuality. Moreover, many clients expressedschizophrenia, drug addiction, bipolar disorder, feeling little or no control over their own lives—PTSD and/or intermittent explosive disorder. epitomized by the fact that they were inResidents sometimes carried the “Category 5” treatment when they would much rather bediagnosis, and more rarely were diagnosed on anywhere else. Offering choices in the art roomthe Autistic Spectrum. The second major proved an effective way to increase groupchallenge was to accommodate the wide range participation, self-esteem, and a sense ofof developmental levels in a single group. autonomy. The artwork also provided an appropriate avenue for sublimating anger and Along with these many functioning frustration.levels, clients brought to treatment suchbehaviors as poor impulse control, paranoia and As I introduced new art media to this population,anger management issues, coupled with perhaps the most successful was sewing andcomplex relationships that had developed embroidery. This began with several clientsamong the clients themselves. I decided it was asking if they could make a pillow. We beganimperative that art groups be split into an A and with felt, thread, and stuffing, making smallB system, where clients were assigned to one of pillows that clients took and kept in their rooms,two groups. Since talking groups had already with the plan to later use them as decoration inbeen established to be 30 minutes long, their own apartments once they moved on. Afteradjusted for shortened attention spans and initial success with pillow making, I suggestedsocial tolerance levels, I used this duration for that the next round of pillows include supportivethe art therapy groups as well. I also reasoned messages or symbols. Some wanted to simplythat providing a high level of structure to the write or draw these messages on withsessions, complete with themes and directives, permanent marker. Others were open to learningwould be the most fruitful. how to embroider. Several clients were 26

already proficient sewers and embroiderers, Referencescreating multiple pillows in various shapes andstyles. Within a few months, a particularly adept Association of Regional Center Agencies.seamstress decided to move on to making dolls, Guidelines for Determining “5th Category”which then inspired other clients to create dolls Eligibility for the California Regional Centers.as well. Soon after this, most clients had taken Retrieved from http://www.arcanet.org/pdfs/up sewing—even those that had no prior sewing 5th.category.guidelines.pdfexperience. Clients brought clothes to bemended, and learned how to fix a hole in a shirt, Kail, R. and Cavanaugh, J. (2008). Humanor even sew on a button. The joy they expressed Development: A Life-Span View, 5th Ed.from learning this new and useful skill, while Cengage Learning. National Association ofcreating tangible, tactile works of art, was clearly Social Workers, (2006).felt by the staff, families and case managers. NASW Practice Snapshot: The Mental Sewing brought up several metaphors Health Recovery Model. Retrieved from http://that allowed for excellent therapeutic discussion www.naswdc.org/practice/behavioral_health/—something that can be difficult to achieve with 0206snapshot.aspthis population. For example, many clientslearned how to sew from their mothers and Telecare Corporation. Redwood Place. Retrievedgrandmothers. This opened a pathway for from http://www.telecarecorp.com/images/discussing childhood experiences and relating medialibrary/redwood%20place%20openthem to the present day. Several female clients %20house%20brochure%20v24.pdfexpressed their wish to become parents, andexplored this through doll making and latercaring for their dolls. Sometime issues of abuseand neglect were acted out upon the dolls, Elizabeth Beck is a Bay Area art therapist whoallowing for processing the triggering incident. writes an art therapy blog, which regularly discusses art therapy issues, including education The ability to fix one’s mistakes or and ethics. She is a member of the Advisoryrepair an old or new rip in the fabric was Counsel of Art Therapy Without Borders and therecognized by the group as a powerful symbol of Features Editor for FUSION. Elizabeth hasone’s own potential to heal and work towards the recently launched a personalized web designlife they wish to lead. Residents also began service for art therapists, Liz Beck Designs.making pillows or dolls to give as gifts to lovedones or their case managers. For some, this wasthe first experience of giving without expectingsomething in return. This brief article has described someof the challenges and possibilities when working FROM THE EDITORSwith a dually diagnosed DD population. Taking a Do you have some news, a story, or aflexible approach allowed the clients to develop possible feature for a future FUSIONa sense of autonomy through art making, which issue? Or do you have a technique oraided in their personal development and in the program to share?establishment of art therapy as an importantmodality within this residential environment. Contact us at the following addresses:Best of all, the clients learned new skills, whichrepresented hope and healing, and created info@arttherapyalliance.org ortransitional objects to take on their journey info@theiato.orgtoward a more independent, community-integrated phase of life. 27

Stay Connected To Our Global Network! Art Therapy Without Borders on Facebook Art Therapy Without Borders Official Blog Art Therapy Alliance on Facebook Art Therapy Alliance on LinkedIn IATO Facebook Page Art Therapy Alliance on Twitter IATO Member Group on Facebook Art Therapy News on Twitter Websites: www.atwb.org www.arttherapyalliance.org www.internationalarttherapy.org! E-mail: info@atwb.org planetarttherapy@gmail.com FUSION- E-ZINE FOR PLANET ART THERAPY Volume 3, Number 1 ISSN 2153-635X © 2011 Art Therapy Without Borders, Inc. Art Therapy Alliance & International Art Therapy Organization All rights reserved. 28

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FUSION e-Zine for Planet Art Therapy, Vol. 3, No. 1

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FUSION e-Zine for Planet Art Therapy, Vol. 3, No. 1 — Document Transcript