Art TherapySo what is art therapy???
Margaret Naumburg Naumburg is credited with being the first psychotherapist to use art therapy. She believed that art therapy could diagnose and treat mental health conditions. She was born in New York City on May 14, 1890 and studied at Barnard College. She completed her bachelor’s degree in 1911. She than continued studying at the London School of Economics and Columbia University. There, her focus on music, speech therapy, and child education. Naumburg began the first Montessori class in New York City. Later in 1915 she founded the Walden School, which was her own version of the Montessori schools. At her Walden School, she stressed the importance of allowing children to develop their own identities. She had them do so through the exploration of natural abilities, performing arts, and visual arts. In her teaching methods, Naumburg incorporated Freudian psychoanalytics, art, and music. She even encouraged each staff member to see a psychoanalyst. After 1928, Naumburg switched her focus to developing the art therapy technique. She wanted to establish it as a discipline and began to teach art therapy classes. She worked at the New York Psychiatric Institute and later in 1947 published Studies of the "Free" Art Expression of Behavior Problem Children and Adolescents as a Means of Diagnosis and Therapy. This work was based on Naumburg's research at the New York Psychiatric Institute. Another one of her publications, Dynamically Oriented Art Therapy, helped orient art therapy used a psychodynamic approach. This book was influenced by Sigmund Freud. Later, while teaching at the New York University, Naumburg directly influenced the graduate level program. This program remains a highly accredited art therapy program. Florence Cane Cane lived from 1882 to 1952. She was a Progressive art educator and worked towards releasing the artist within each child. She did so through creative and therapeutic techniques. She began teaching art at Naumburg's Walden School in 1920. Margaret Naumburg was Cane's sister and asked her to help with the art education program. Cane taught for many successful years at the Walden School. For many years after she taught private lessons from her home, lectured, created her own school at the Rockefeller Center, and was the art director at the Counseling Center for Gifted Children at the New York University for about 14 years. While at the New York University, she helped to select the students entering the school by judging portfolios on body, psyche, mind, and spirit. The techniques she developed also helped in rehabilitation of children and adults by discovering their inner artistic voices. As a child, Cane went through psychoanalysis. This made her a true believer in psychoanalysis. She whole heartedly believed in its ability to bring inner thoughts, memories, emotions, and catharsis to a person. This experience helped her in her study of children in various stages and helped her to understand their cognitive abilities through their artistic expression. Her teaching methods were developed around this knowledge. She used her classroom as a breeding ground for student self-discovery. She allowed her students to learn at their own pace. Cane's work has been studied by therapists for generations and even provided the basis for the early art therapy techniques
PTSDSo what is PTSD???Merriam-Webster defines Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Syndrome as a Psychological reaction that often occurs after a highly stressful event or events. These events can include wartime combat, physical violence, or even a natural disaster. This disorder or syndrome is usually characterized by depression, flashbacks, recurring nightmares, and the avoidance of reminders of the event that caused the PTSD.
Art Therapy and PTSD“Art therapy can engage the creative potential of individuals — especially those suffering from PTSD. Art therapy is considered a mind-body intervention that can influence physiological and psychological symptoms. The experience of expressing oneself creatively can reawaken positive emotions and address symptoms of emotional numbing in individuals with PTSD.” – Josée Leclerc, a professor in the Department of Creative Arts Therapies According to the article, Photo courtesy of The Big Picture
Art therapy helped soldiers evoke positive emotions Art therapy helped soldiers externalize emotions and learn about symptoms Art therapy aided discussion and feelings of empathy with other veterans Art Therapy provides an alternative form of expression suited for those suffering from PTSD. National Geographic's thoughts on Art Therapy and Treating PTSDThe photo, taken by Rebecca Hale of National Geographic, is of Melissa Walker. Walker runs an art therapy program at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at the Walter Reed Medical Center. The Walter Reed Medical center is located in Bethesda, Maryland. The program is for members of the military that have suffered traumatic brain injuries or have psychological problems. This program was started in 2010. It was clear that with all of the returning injured service men and women, additional sources of treatment for them needed to be found. Here within the program, Walker uses a mask project in order to help these wounded men and women to express themselves. She had used this source of expression with others in the past and found success, so once at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walker knew it would help here as well. The service members were given blank masks that were made out of materials such as paper-mache and plastic. The service members were to decorate the masks in order to help them reach the trauma within. With these masks, the service members are able to show what they are not able to verbalize. There is a block within the part of the brain that controls speech and language and the process of unleashing what is inside of them with the masks helps to reintegrate both hemispheres of their brains. Melisa Walker told National Geographic, "These are invisible wounds, and the masks have given service members a visual voice that has helped them in many areas of treatment and their lives so they're able to reflect what's going on inside of themselves, how their injuries affected them, and, for the first time, are able to see, are able to convey what they're goin through." This process is extremely important in helping the service members to open up in other therapies; especially the vocal ones. Where they were once unable to speak, art therapy has opened up a door to relief from the awful pain that they hold within.
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What's In A Name?
#7. Accuser means "One Who Condemns." The enemy seeks to weaken the believer's confidence and influence by conveying condemnation and guilt. He points out and constantly reminds you of sin and mistakes in order to cripple the believer with discouragement and shame. ... The Armor of God Study, p.21 Revelation 12:10 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." I honestly struggle hard with not believing that I am "ENOUGH." I am very hard on myself and a lot of times feel that nothing I do is good enough. I know that it is the enemy in my ear telling me lies, but I still fail sometimes in ignoring them. This next verse wasn't part of the study but I want to share it anyways. Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives into the death." I do not remember at what point I highlighted that verse, but it seemed meant to be that it was the very next verse. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb...." We can overcome anything that the enemy throws at us with God on our side. We just need to remember the enemy LIES and we are good ENOUGH. #armorofGodstudy #thecreativeheart From 2/15/17
The Creative Heart (Facebook Page) Today Priscilla pointed out that when it comes to the enemy we all tend to make 1 of 2 mistakes. 1. We overestimate his power over our lives. 2. We underestimate his influence in our lives. ... Which one impacts you more? What is your tendency? Do you overestimate or do you underestimate his influence? How does this effect your life? What changes can you do in order to lessen the enemy's influence and to give God more power in your life? Feel free to comment your answer below💖😘 #armorofGodstudy #thecreativeheart |
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May 2018
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