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. 

Experiencing countertransference

Since we have several new art therapists, I wanted them to be more aware of transference and feelings of countertransference that they may experience with the sex offenders at the hospital. So, I asked the group to create an image about a time they felt countertransference with a patient. Countertransference implies there is transference by the patient, but we used a looser definition to encompass any strong reaction to a patient. Many therapists had patients who reminded them of someone they knew, so in those cases, it was important for the therapist to be aware of potential reactions, and to possibly address any personal issues through their own therapy and supervision. Some therapists felt that they were treated as a parental figure, and had to be careful of their care taking feelings. Other therapists felt that they were being flirted with, and had to think about their feelings in response to that. It is important to be aware of countertransference and other strong feelings we have about patients when working in forensics as the patients can be very charming and manipulative as well as angry or self-loathing. Not being mindful can lead to boundary violations and inappropriate or unprofessional behavior. Supervision provides an opportunity for discussion, more self-awareness, and support by peers.

Meditation using art

I was reading about all the benefits of meditation, so I've been trying to practice it more. In a recent Art Therapy supervision, I handed out a bunch of images of art work cut out of a desk calendar that a colleague gave me. I asked everyone to choose an image that appealed to them, and put it in front of them. Then, we closed our eyes and focused on our breathing for a few minutes. Next, we opened our eyes and looked at our image, observing the colors, lines, composition, etc. After that, I asked everyone to to close their eyes again, and imagine stepping into the image, then explore it.  Then, we "exited" the image, and opened our eyes.  I then had everyone create an image about their meditation experience. One person said she had had a headache all day, and that it went away after our short meditation. This can be done as a supervision exercise for self care or as a directive with patients.

Supervision--Feeling frustrated

After a few frustrations with patients during the week, during supervision, I asked everyone to create an image about a recent frustration. I was thinking everyone would have a work related frustration, but most images were about frustrations about life in general, from medical issues to buying a house, to dealing with friends' issues. Then I realized that while everyone probably had experienced frustrations with patients or staff during the week, their other frustrations might be more troublesome or even impact their work, if not dealt with. It was a good opportunity to vent and to also gain support from others, which was the main point of the exercise in the first place.