Publications

Trauma-focused approaches to psychotherapy continue to gather attention as a growing body of research demonstrates the pervasiveness of traumatic experiences and trauma-related disorders across the lifespan. Art therapy, a relatively young field within the mental health landscape, utilizes the creation of images in therapy through a variety of art media as a tool for intra and interpersonal communication in the therapeutic space. Parts work, a collection of trauma-informed theoretical methods that includes Internal Family Systems therapy, Structural Dissociation and Ego-State therapy, is a systemic framework that proposes that each person is comprised of various parts (or distinct inner voices), under the leadership of the authentic Self. There is limited research regarding the efficacy of combining parts work and art therapy with survivors of sexual violence. To expand upon current intersecting research in this field, the author explores methods of integrating art therapy and parts work at an outpatient clinic with eight sexual violence survivors (five adults and three children) over the course of eight months. As a result, all clients demonstrated an increase in self-awareness regarding symptoms and trauma-response triggers, and some demonstrated a decrease in intensity of trauma-related symptoms. Data was collected through therapist observation, client self-report surveys including the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth addition (PCL-5) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), and client surveys tracking severity and intensity of symptoms. The positive responses to trauma-focused art therapy and parts work interventions indicate that this can be an effective trauma treatment modality that warrants further exploration. 

Building Your Miniature Pottery Wheel

Instructions for building a DIY miniature pottery wheel at home. 

About this journal

I find myself repeating the same questions to my clients, and to myself. Curiosities that challenge what we sometimes accept without thinking; thoughts or judgements we make of ourselves without considering its impact; or conclusions we jump to without taking a moment to slow down and examine. When we start to get curious, we start to know ourselves more deeply. When we know ourselves more deeply, we can create more intimate and meaningful connections with ourselves and others. When we make more intimate and meaningful connections with ourselves and others, we give ourselves the chance to live more authentic, fulfilling and gentle lives.

How to use

I have developed prompts for written or drawn responses as well as blank pages. There are no right or wrong answers. I invite you to take my curiosities as open-ended suggestions. Answer however seems most pressing in the moment. Answer however you need to on a given day. Skim through the curiosities and answer whichever question sparks you. Or if you want a real challenge, answer whichever prompt makes you squirm most! You don’t need to go in chronological order, and you don’t need to answer with words (I am an art therapist after all...)

These prompts are similar to questions I ask my clients in therapy as an art therapist and licensed professional counselor, but they are not a replacement for therapy. Perhaps this journal is a starting point for you, or perhaps you bring it with you to process with your own therapist.

I am so curious as to where this journal will take you...