Boundaries workshop

At a recent conference in a forensic setting, another art therapist and I had the opportunity to offer an art therapy experiential on boundaries. We asked participants to think of a time that a patient crossed their boundaries and to create an image about that. Participants were invited to show their art work and talk about their experience. One person talked about a patient who grabbed her, another shared about a patient who was being manipulative with him, and another new staff told of a patient trying to intimidate her. Discussion included ways to develop rapport with patients without physical touching and setting clear verbal limits as well as other ways to deal with patients with poor boundaries. Participants were able to offer each other feedback and tips. The group discussion illustrated that we were not alone in our challenges in dealing with boundary issues with a difficult population, and were indeed able to support one another. 

Remembering your strengths

In a recent art therapy supervision, I asked the group to think of a time when they felt physically and/or mentally strong and create an image about that. People shared various experiences from being forced to do sports to learning how to ride and train horses to coping with a child's illness. Then I asked them to think about a time they had to be strong since they started working at the hospital, and how they have used their strength to manage in their jobs here. Some of the situations we face with the patients, and even other staff, require us to use mental strength, and it is important to remember that we all have strengths to call upon when needed. 

Termination issues

We have an art therapist who is retiring soon, and he is concerned with how to terminate with patients at the hospital--on his unit, and in his groups. I asked everyone in the supervision group to create an image about a time they had to say goodbye to someone, and then asked them to think about the feelings they had at the time. These feelings are comparable to what the patients feel when they have to say bye to therapists who leave the facility, but because they are patients with various issues, their feelings may be amplified, difficult to identify, and harder to express. We discussed how it is the therapist's responsibility to give the patient enough time to process his feelings and still have the opportunity to talk to the therapist about those feelings. 

Self-disclosure directive

One of the art therapists suggested this topic, so in supervision, I had everyone make a collage of info or topics they felt comfortable sharing or talking about with patients, and those they were not comfortable with. One therapist said she talked about her dogs in the pet therapy group while another therapist said she never talks about her pets with the patients. We discussed times we revealed too much, we overheard other staff disclosing too much, and what to do if you felt your co-facilitator was sharing personal information during a group. We also talked about how to deal with patients who ask personal questions, as sex offenders commonly do. Everyone has his or her personal boundaries, and the therapists were asked to think about theirs, and when sharing personal information to think how or if it is therapeutic and beneficial for the patients to know. 

Bob Ross and mural making with patients

When I first started working at the hospital, I ran a mural group to help the patients with their interpersonal skills as well as make a group mural that could be displayed in the hospital. Each group that I ran had difficulty making decisions in order to actually complete a group mural. Recently, a patient became interested in learning to paint via Bob Ross DVDs. He became proficient in the techniques and got peers interested in painting. A small group of patients decided to paint a mural using a Bob Ross instructional DVD. They were able to work together and complete a 4'x6' mural in about 10 hours. They got a couple of other patients interested in mural painting, and they recently completed their 3rd mural. The first one is hanging in the Visiting Room as a backdrop for photos. The use of the DVDs ensured success and prevented the need for a group leader to make compositional or technical decisions. The patients worked companionably, helping and supporting each other. This was a helpful tool to use with populations that are narcissistic or otherwise have difficulty working with others. 

Touchstone craft project

For Art Therapy supervision today, we all made touchstones using clear acrylic stones. We cut images or sayings from magazines that were meaningful or inspirational to us. Then, we used mod podge to adhere the images to the stones. A couple of the Art Therapists weren't that into it in the beginning, but at the end had made several unique touchstones.  One Art Therapist said it was a nice way to relive memories. Some made stones for themselves as well as gifts for others. They could be made into magnets as well. It was a fun activity to do before the holidays. 

Expressive Therapies Summit in NYC

Earlier this month, a colleague and I presented at the Expressive Therapies Summit in NYC. Our presentation was on the use of art therapy to address dynamic risk factors in sex sex offenders. It was a great experience and we were also able to attend some other interesting presentations. I attended a workshop about the Lahad six part story which I shared with my fellow art therapists when I returned from the conference. I also attended a workshop on visual reflection and narrative therapy. My colleague attended a felting workshop and made some very cool projects. It was great to learn about new methods and techniques, and meet other expressive therapists. It was a very refreshing and inspiring experience.