Nature, Art and Healing
It
is not unusual to see a few people sitting around the large, round table in my
living room creating art. With a multi-media approach, the client is presented
with coloured pastels, water colour paint, a few glue sticks for collage
pictures, block stamps, paint brushes of all sizes and fabric. This is just one
of my many techniques as a therapist and find when using art as engagement, the client moves
into the “play mode” and in doing so I have observed real mood changes. When we
counsel using only verbal clues, we are not engaging the whole person. My
approach as an artist and nature lover is to bring alternative ways for my
client to communicate. The success has been astounding, and my hope is to
continue with an innovative mixed media approach that makes therapy dynamic and
more successful.
It is essential
primarily to focus on the conflicts, personal issues, and problematic areas the
client is struggling with. Relationship building, accessing information and
creating a sense of trust and comfort always precede the less traditional
therapeutic plans I know are useful. These plans are made as a team, at times
involving a family member or significant other if the client wishes.
As a mental health
rehab worker, I was astonished to discover that chronic, mentally ill patients
were much improved during and following a hike in nature. They became
increasingly relaxed. Their visible signs of agitation, such as repetitive
gestures, or self harm, disappeared. They seemed calmed by an environment that
gives so much but asks for so little. The combination of fresh air, exercise
and natural beauty has a powerful, positive effect on most of us and is under
utilized in residential facilities and one-on-one counselling.
The rhythmic movement
of walking is meditative; when we move physically we mobilize our emotions and
thoughts. This in itself can be transformative to a person experiencing
depression. The exposure to sunshine (vitamin D) is a natural feel-good healer.
Stepping up the pace helps produce serotonin which is regarded by some
researchers as a chemical that is responsible for maintaining mood balance. A
lot of studies have proved that a deficit of serotonin leads to depression.
Since people are so different,
what may bring healing and an uplifting mood to one person might be annoying to
another. My goal, then, is to empower my clients so that they design their own
healing programs. I can offer suggestions, but the client has the clues; if I
pay attention to what I hear, the sky is the limit.
Activity in all its
forms is often overlooked. Healing is mysterious; if we listen to our client’s
theme we may be able to find active ways that prompt change and mobilize
feelings.
My approach to
counselling is multi-faceted. I want to be the best possible advocate for each
person. If we use our imagination effectively, we can find activities that may
bring positive results faster than hours of talk therapy. My hope is to create
opportunities collaboratively with my client considering his/ her personality,
interests, passions, strengths and weaknesses.
As a fibre artist, ESL teacher, and avid hiker, I have endless ideas of
how to connect a person with meaningful activities.
The process of moving
gently and slowly from a place of vulnerability to a place of empowerment is
not only doable, but exciting. We can,
together, creatively combine our efforts to solve problems and find peace.
