Are you feeling depressed, anxious, and angry or have some other feeling that is consuming your happiness for life?

An Interview with Art Therapist Pamela Hayes LMFT

If you answered, "yes" then art therapy could be just what you need to work through those feelings and resolve burdening issues. To help understand the benefits of Art Therapy and what a typical art therapy session would be like, I have interviewed Art Therapist Pamela Hayes, LMFT, ATR-BC.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
"I am a registered and board certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC). That means that I attended a 2-year graduate program accredited by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). I graduated from Notre Dame de Numar, in Belmont, California in 1992. Following graduation I completed my post-graduate work while supervised by an Art Therapist, and then I sat for the board exam. I am also licensed as a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) in California, licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and I am a provider for continuing education units (CEU) throughout the United States."

"I have been an Art Therapist for 18 years, and currently I have a private practice where I see children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. My clients have issues ranging from depression and anxiety to addictions and abuse."

How is art therapy different from just counseling?
"Traditional counseling uses verbal conversation and non-verbal body language as its main means of communication. Art Therapy provides a third and forth method of communication: the art-making process and the art product that is created."

"By making and interpreting their own art, individuals can reach beyond censored and unconscious feelings to a deeper understanding of personal motivations in everyday life. Art therapy is a unique and effective approach for offering our clients another means of communication. When words cannot express the secret turmoil, the art produced by the individual is a raw and honest look into our inner most fears, obsessions, motivations and personalities. Every creative endeavor produces a type of self-portrait that can be interpreted and used to aid in further insight and personal growth."

See the entire article: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6095358/therapeutic_benefits_of_art_therapy.html?cat=5

"The MetaWorld of Art, Dreams & Imagination"

New article published in DREAM NETWORK magazine. Vol 29 No. 3

An interview with Pamela Hayes - Art Therapist.

DREAMS IN THE NEWS

by

Russell Arthur Lockhart, Ph.D.

The natural topic was Christopher Nolan's blockbuster film, Inception. Or, a Sarah Kershaw article on dreams from the New York Times. Instead, a stack of unsorted stuff was knocked off my desk by my cat Samantha. In trying to stay the mess, I caught hold of a single piece, workshop announcement, three months earlier, on "Art Therapy for Grief and Loss," under the direction of Pamela Hayes.

Valuing the serendipitous, I could not ignore this. In exploring Pamela's website (http://www.hayesarttherapy.com), two things struck me: her "mother/daughter" collaborative art project and her comment on the difficulty of maintaining one's own creativity while watching others create. Interviewing Pamela would follow the lead of the serendipitous hint resulting from Samantha's stretching herself. Pamela graciously agreed to respond to my questions.

RL. Pamela, why art therapy?

PH. My high school art teacher brought us to a gallery of artwork done, not by artists, but by people suffering from migraine headaches. My artistic path took me to Parsons School of Design in NYC. After graduating with a BFA, I worked in galleries, even art restoration. Years later, I received a gift, a calendar of patient artwork from Napa State Hospitaldrawings, sculptures, paintings. This reignited my interest in art therapy. On the back of the calendar was a name and number. I called and said: "I want to do what you do. How do I do that?" Within a week, I quit my job, applied to Notre Dame de Namur University's art therapy program. Twenty years later, I’ve never been disappointed with that choice.

RL. A beautiful example of following "serendipitous hints"! You note it’s tough being an art therapist, always watching other people make art. Can you describe how you maintain your own passion for art without falling into the occupational hazard of not doing the work oneself?

PH. Watching my clients, I think about what I would create given the same directive and the same materials. Sometimes, not often enough, I stay at my office after clients are gone, stealing time alone with the art materials. I forget how balanced I feel after making art, have to remind myself to schedule creative time, just like exercise, hanging with friends or reading. What works is writing it in my calendar as an appointment. It is as important as a doctor’s visit or a yoga class. Another help: recruiting a friend to make art with me.

To Read the entire article/interview, please go to: http://www.understandthemeaningofmydreams.com/index.html

Don't Miss Out!

The Best Art Therapy webinars available!

Only $45 for 2 CEUs

Interpreting the Art and Facilitating Communication - part 2 (part 1 not required)

Monday, Nov 22, 2010 - 8:30am - 10am PST

Introduction to Art Therapy

Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 - 9am - 10:30am PST

Art Therapy and Anxiety Disorders

Tuesday, Dec 14, 2010 - 11:30am - 1pm PST

Interpreting the Art and Facilitating Communication - part 1

Thursday, Jan 6, 2011 - 11:30am - 1pm PST

Please visit http://www.hayesarttherapy.com/products.html for more info.

New Webinar

Join me for an exciting new, live Webinar "Interpreting the Art and Facilitating Communication"

11/16/2010 4p PST.

1.5 CEUs for an hour and a half interactive webinar.

No special equipment needed - just a computer and the internet.

Only $45

For more details go to: http://www.hayesarttherapy.com/products.html

Example

Many of you have asked for an example for how I set up my session notes to include the description of the Art Therapy Technique. Here is the structure that I use, and an example...

Client's Name - Type of session (individual, family, couple, phone) - Date

DATA: Stated several times that she was excited and happy to be a session. Appropriate interaction, eye contact and personal boundaries. Separated well from family, and also transitioned well back to mother after session.

ART TASK: Draw Family as animals: Father, self and grandmother are giraffes. Mother and both brothers are dinosaurs (T-Rex). Client states that the T-Rexes are stronger and sometimes scarier than the giraffes. Mother and father are near the top of the page while children are underneath - appropriate hierarchy.

Sand and glitter painting: Provided as nice connection and interaction for client and therapist. Provides role modeling of appropriate adult/child relationship and interaction.

ASSESSMENT: Client seems to be making connections/similarities between family members by making them the same animal. Client sees some family members are more aggressive.

PLAN: Continue to build trust. Continue to provide a safe place to discuss feelings, and assess for any signs of physical or sexual abuse. Provide a positive adult/child relationship.

I keep a copy/photo on computer to reference. I keep the notes fairly short, just enough to remind me of the session, in case my notes are subpoenaed into court (which has happened many times).

I always set up the notes as:

DATA: Observations and discussions

ART TECHNIQUE: State name of technique and what was said and done during.

ASSESSMENT: My own interpretations, but I always use words such as "seems to be...", "appeared like...", "may mean..."

PLAN: Future or continued goals. Possible art techniques for following session.

Did your weekend include passion?

I promised myself I would paint, and I did! It's amazing how saying something out loud forces me to stick to it.

Friday: I chose to paint, instead of run - sometimes we need to forgo one passion for another. I chose the greater or two goods. (Unlike this upcoming election - where sometimes I feel as if I am forced to choose the lesser or two evils).

Saturday: I ran 5.5 miles AND I collaged. I took the paintings I had left drying in the garage, and I cut them up and began collaging. Not done yet. PLUS, took my daughter to get her hair done for the Homecoming Dance - she was happy. It's so pleasant in my house when the teenagers are in a good mood. Then I had dinner with good friends. I got to engage in four of my passions!

Sunday: Today is just beginning, but my plan is to continue collaging and paint on top of the collage. I also get to run with a friend and decorate the house for Halloween. (I was going to say, "I have to decorate my house for Halloween", then I decided that if I look at it as a "get to" instead of a "have to" than I am choosing and I win!)

Did your weekend include passion?

Where inspiration comes from...

You never know what is going to spark your creativity...

The other day at the grocery store, I noticed that "Kleenex" has some really cool new tissue box designs. So cool, in fact, that I feel inspired to paint. When I think about all the effort it takes to set up the easel, get out the paints, and make the time to paint, I am discouraged. But, just like exercising, I know from past experience that I WILL feel better after.

My promise to myself, and my own sanity...

This weekend I will make time to paint.

Join the Webinar:

"Art Therapy and Anxiety Disorders"

Learn new Art Therapy and counseling techniques from the comfort of your home or office.

Only $45

1.5 CEUs for CA MFTs (CEUs available soon for all counselors)

To sign up - go to: http://www.hayesarttherapy.com/products.html

Last chance: Sign up for an exciting and new Webinar

"Introduction to Art Therapy"

(09/22/2010 08:30 AM PST)

http://www.hayesarttherapy.com/products.html

PAPER MACHE MASK MAKING

Ingredients Needed

1. Newspaper

2. Cooking flour

3. White glue (Elmer’s)

4. Masking tape

5. Large bowl and spoon

6. Water (I prefer warm water, because it feels comforting)

Step I: Crumple up three or four pieces of newspaper

Step II: Lay another piece of newspaper flat, and place the crumpled newspaper on it

Step III: Fold up the corners of the flat newspaper around the crumpled paper, as if wrapping a gift. Hold in place with masking tape

Step IV: Rip the remaining newspaper in to strips (about 1inch wide x the length of the newspaper

Step V: Mix approximately 3 cups of flour with 3 cups of warm water and ½ cup of glue (consistency of oatmeal)

Step VI: Dip one strip at a time into the mixture then place one strip at a time onto the taped-up newspaper shape. Cover the entiretaped-up newspaper – both sides – about two layers

Step VII: Allow to dry for at least 24 hours – turn over, and allow other side dry at least 24 hours

Step VIII: Paint (I like acrylic paint) and add feathers, beas, pipe-cleaners as desired

Art Therapy Webinars NOW available

Join the Webinar: "Intro to Art Therapy"

Earn CEUs and learn new techniques from the comfort of your home or office.

To sign up - go to: http://www.hayesarttherapy.com/products.html

Get ready...Art Therapy webinars are almost here! Don't miss out - sign the mailing list to receive invitations - http://www.hayesarttherapy.com/list.html

Upcoming Live Seminars

Art Therapy and Loss - 6 CEU

Sherman Oaks, CA

September 15, 2010

Courtyard by Marriott Valley Center

15433 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

818-981-5400

San Bernadeno, CA

September 16, 2010

Hilton San Bernardino

285 E. Hospitality Ln., San Bernardino, CA 92408

909-889-0133

Las Vegas, NV

September 17, 2010

Embassy Suites Convention Center Las Vegas

3600 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169

702-893-8000

Today's Art Therapy Assignment: Finding Your Strength

I am preparing to test for my first Dan Black-Belt in mixed martial arts. In preparation, I have been breathing, meditating and visualizing. I am calling on my internal strength. I know it is there, even when I feel weak. I also know that I can re-build it by keeping it clean and positive and by connecting with the universal chi.

Today's assignment: Finding Your Strength

1. Close your eyes and take in some deep cleaning breaths. Imagine the breath coming in as pure white, and the breath you exhale as grey. Imagine your insides being cleansed with positive energy each time you inhale, and released of negative energy each time you exhale. Continue deep breathing until the exhaled breath is as white as the inhaled breath.

2. Now picture your internal chi (energy). What does it look like? What color and shape is it? Where in your body is it located?

3. Draw your chi

Write to me with your results.

Open Art for Grieving Adults held at Hospicare

Ithaca, NY

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100806/NEWS01/8060314/1124/Open-Art-for-Grieving-Adults-held-at-Hospicare

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Do you prefer to use expressive arts over or in addition to talk therapy? Please join Hospicare bereavement counselor Kira Lallas for either or both open art sessions from 5:30-7 p.m.

Thursdays, Aug. 19 and 26 at Hospicare, 172 E. King Road.

Digital art exhibit raising awareness

Press Release: Digital art exhibit raising awareness about women's violence prevention with art about peace created entirely on the iPhone, iPad, or Android... Learn more about "A Healing Touch: Digital Offerings of Peace for Women Survivors"...

iPad and iPhone Artists Honor Women Survivors through A Healing Touch

http://prmac.com/release-id-15028.htm

Art Therapy DVD

Art Therapy and Anxiety DVD is now availible!
Check out preview and/or prices at
www.hayesarttherapy.com/products.html

Lectures

I will be lecturing on Art Therapy for Grief and Loss in
Shreveport, LA on 3 August 2010
Dallas, TX on 4 August 2010
Lubbock, TX on 5 August 2010
Come join me for art, CEUs and air conditioning!