Conference Presentations And Workshops

Presentation Description:

This didactic, experiential workshop introduces collage as a transformative art therapy technique, effective if the treatment of death and non-death loss. This multi-media approach highlights art therapy-based theory and practices with the grief and bereavement theories of Neimeyer: Meaning Reconstruction, Worden: Task Model of Bereavement and Rynearson: Restorative Retelling. Case studies include collage images created by an art therapist in response to the suicide of her daughter as well as images created by the bereaved. The creative process and product provide learners with opportunities to explore two-dimensional collage making as a way to piece together personal and professional experiences of loss. The workshop provides ample opportunity for discussion of theoretical concepts and their application to actual therapeutic work with clients.

Artful Grief: Open Art Studio: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors:
National Suicide Survivors Conference

Presentation Description:

This didactic and experiential workshop will introduce doll making as a transformative art therapy technique, effective in the treatment of traumatic loss. This creative and imaginative approach to grief therapy is anchored in grief and bereavement theory: The Constructivist Theory of Meaning Making where grief narratives and identity reconstruction engage an essential question, “Who am I,” in the effort toward sense making and benefit finding and Attachment-Informed Grief Therapy, where the doll making process and concrete, transitional object support an exploration of relationship and the continuing bond with the deceased

Case studies will demonstrate the efficacy of this art therapy modality, where the bereaved engage a non-verbal process, resulting in a pliable human form, symbolic of themselves or a lost love. The workshop provides ample opportunity for discussion of theoretical concepts and their application to actual therapeutic work with clients.

Artful Grief: Open Art Studio: The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors:
National Suicide Survivors Conference: Doll Making Workshop

Presentation Description:

Everybody has a grief story and it is easy to get “stuck” in that story, unable to see past the tragedy of one’s grief. This didactic and experiential workshop on “restorative retelling,” will introduce a variety of transformative creative therapies techniques, effective in the treatment of traumatic loss and complicated grief. This creative and imaginative approach to grief therapy will merge creative arts-based theory and practices with the grief and bereavement theories of Neimeyer: Meaning Reconstruction and Rynearson: Restorative Retelling.

Tiny pages that speak volumes, provide structure and coherence to dualistic, disabling and senseless experiences of traumatic loss. In creative moments, it is the strength of the arts that help convert the grief story into a story with renewed life and vital energy. In this workshop the story we tell ourselves will be deconstructed and reconstructed in an art-based experiential with ample opportunity for discussion of theoretical concepts and their application to actual therapeutic work with clients.

Artful Grief: Open Art Studio: The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors:
National Suicide Survivors Conference: Handmade Watercolor Books Workshop

Presentation Description:

Talking Sticks are natures instruments of healing, medicine and prayer. They come out of Aboriginal and Native American traditions. They are symbolically important to those of us who are wandering the “desert” of our grief journeys. These long narrow ceremonial objects, crafted from tree branches, and measuring the distance between your elbow and fingertips, are decorated with paint, feathers, beads, twine, leather and various found objects. They serve to empower us on our difficult journey through the wasteland, embodying our prayers or petitions, clarifying intentions, strengthening inner resources and emboldening our voice through freedom of expression. They are tangible objects of hope and healing.

Discussion of theoretical concepts and their application to actual therapeutic work with clients and personal sharing and processing, offer learners a rich opportunity to be with an ancient healing modality. Talking Sticks are tangible objects of hope and healing. Branches are provided along with decorative materials. Personal art materials are welcome. The workshop provides ample opportunity for discussion of theoretical concepts and their application to actual therapeutic work with clients.

Artful Grief: Open Art Studio: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors:
National Conference: Talking Sticks Workshop

Presentation Description:

Survivors of traumatic death and non-death losses often struggle with derailed and shattered life narratives. This dyadic and experiential workshop introduces mask making as an ancient, universal tradition, and an art therapy modality for those who are grieving a traumatic loss Art therapy masks may simultaneously reveal, conceal, and memorialize. Masks can be used to commemorate the dead and reimagine life narratives and identities, fostering meaning reconstruction and supporting the tasks of bereavement. Participants will create a mask to explore and experience this creative modality. No artistic skill is required. The workshop provides ample opportunity for discussion of theoretical concepts and their application to actual therapeutic work with clients.

Artful Grief: Open Art Studio: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors:
National Conference and National Suicide Survivors Conference: Mask

Presentation Description:

This didactic, experiential presentation introduces learners to Artful Alchemy, an innovative art therapy technique for survivors of death and non-death loss, who want to explore a specific narrative. Alchemy’s ancient roots refer to the quest of turning base metals into gold. Jung refers to it as “the art” of transmutation or the journey toward individuation. This abstract painting and layering modality support those who are challenged to construct coherent narratives as necessary steps toward integration. Rynearson’s model of Restorative Retelling invites survivors to retell their stories in ways that foster agency over the event, a process that makes it bearable and less traumatizing.

Artful Alchemy engages the world of duality, so implicit in grief stories. Life narratives finds expression in abstract inner landscapes, painted on canvas and overlayed with an intentional application of stencils, symbols, lines, colors, textures, circles and dots. Painting and layering create a safe, calming container for the work as new stories emerge.

Restorative Retelling, Meaning Reconstruction and Art Therapy anchor the work. No artistic talent is required. New stories emerge, ones that reach toward illumination, ones that are perhaps endurable and easier to hold. The workshop provides ample opportunity for discussion of theoretical concepts and their application to actual therapeutic work with clients.

Artful Grief: Art Therapy Workshop: Restorative Retelling and Abstract Painting