Supervision Directive--Getting Feedback from Peers

An Art Therapist who went to the recent AATA conference shared a directive from a workshop he went to. He asked us to write down something at work that was bothering us. Then he asked us to create an image about our difficulty. He gave everyone a pad of post-it notes, and asked everyone to look at each other's art and writing, and to write a note to that person with words of advice or support or encouragement. After, everyone could read what the others wrote, and maybe gain a new perspective, or find something that resonated for him or her, or just feel supported.  It was a helpful exercise, and one that could also be used with patients.

Art Therapy sessions during supervision

I like to observe my supervisees facilitating an Art Therapy group which helps me when writing up their ATR paperwork, but due to my schedule, it's been hard to do that. So, on occasion, we have been able to run special Art Therapy sessions during our supervision time with volunteer patients. This has worked out well as we can all learn from each other. We have a diverse group of 19 Art Therapists with different backgrounds, and therapy styles.  It is also beneficial in that we can later discuss the patient art work and their process and all be familiar with them. This is also a good way to introduce Art Therapy to a patient who has never done it before.

Self Esteem through Art Therapy

We are starting up a Self Esteem through Art Therapy group for the sex offenders and the mentally ill inmates, so during supervision, we all brainstormed directives. I asked everyone to think about the Good Lives Model and also high risk factors for sex offenders, so we could reference those when we write up the lesson plan. Everyone had great ideas from a collage of what the patient is good at to drawing himself as a superhero to puppet making and role play. The great thing about making the lesson plan a collaborative effort is that we came up with a variety of creative and effective directives for a 12 week quarter.

Art Therapy with Forensic Population

Due to a recent loss of a tool during a studio group, we've had to overhaul our procedures for handling tools in the Art Center. When I first started at the hospital when it opened, I had no experience with forensics, and did the best I could in setting up policy and procedure. Through an on going learning process, I've discovered that a good part of forensic Art Therapy includes safety and security. Every item has its place. Everything is labeled. Items must be specifically checked out to patients. Every tool has to be accounted for. Every sharp and hazmat has to be disposed of properly. Back stock inventory must be accurate. We are constantly organizing and counting items. This is obviously time consuming and frustrating, and still subject to human error.  It takes adjustment and flexibility on the part of staff and patients. However, when the environment is safe, then that creates a space where therapy and healing can take place.

Empathy through Art Therapy with Mentally Ill Inmates

I recently started an Empathy through Art Therapy group with our small population of mentally ill inmates at the hospital. In our first group, I asked them to create a picture of what empathy means. Some didn't really know, so first we discussed what empathy is, and gave some examples. We also talked about the difference between empathy and sympathy. Some still had some difficulty with the concept, but they were all willing to give the directive a try. One man drew several faces of a person trying to have empathy for another person.  Other patients drew about their own experience of feeling empathy for someone else. I hope this group can help these patients understand better what empathy is, and help them practice feeling empathy for others, in an effort to help them to not re-offend.

How patients test boundaries

I recently provided an Art Therapy directive for the Rehab Therapy department during a training to help everyone be more aware of how patients try to test or cross our boundaries. It was interesting to hear others' experiences and how they dealt with being tested.  Some of the scenarios included being asked for a loan, being told you are attractive, having a patient try to enter your office, and being asked personal questions such as favorite sexual position.  It seemed that the men were tested more for getting things, and the women were tested more for physical/sexual boundaries.  We discussed various responses to these patients, and I hope it was helpful for everyone to share, hear, or talk about this topic. It's important to stay aware and alert with the forensic population in order to prevent over-familiarity, and promote healthy boundaries.

How patients charm and manipulate

As a follow up to a previous supervision where we discussed a colleague who had an inappropriate relationship with a patient, I asked everyone to draw a time when they felt that a patient was trying to charm or manipulate them or "lure" them in somehow.  There were some general responses of feeling surrounded by tentacles or being tossed around on waves.  There were specific answers like a patient asking to be enrolled in all of one therapist's groups or how a patient will speak softly, forcing you to lean in to hear him.  Many times patients will compliment you or try to give you something, and oftentimes it's a way of grooming or testing your boundaries.  So, it's always good to be aware of different ways patients try to charm or manipulate in order to get their way. This can help staff defend against it and avoid complacency.