Feeling grateful for the Refinery inviting me to offer another Growing the Good session January 25th from 7-9:30 pm. Participants reframe challenging situations by shifting negative perceptions to resources of personal strength and wisdom. Check out all the other wonderful Refinery offerings!
https://www.emmanuelrefinery.org/grow-with-us/classes
Adapted from Lisa Mitchell.
Kids with autism often have strengths in the areas of non-verbal reasoning, creativity, imagination, and spatial relations. They can tap into these strengths through art therapy while being supported in other areas such as communication, social skills, motor skills, and self-regulation. Check out the documents below for more information about how children and youth with autism can benefit from art therapy.
UPDATE: Saskatchewan Health now allows families to use their Individualized Funding for art therapy. To be reimbursed for art therapy costs, children/youth need to be recommended for art therapy by their consultant or mental health staff at Autism Services Saskatoon, an Autism Service Provider or by a regulated professional within a school division, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, or the Athabasca Health Authority.
The list of approved services is reviewed annually. Art therapy becoming an approved service would mean families could contact Saskatchewan art therapists directly without needing a recommendation from a service provider.
To express your support for art therapy becoming an approved service, send a message to autismregistry@health.gov.sk.ca
The ASK workshop for assessing suicide in children and youth aged 5-14 years just wrapped up. Thanks to ABK Wellness for an informative and relevant workshop that covered topics such as warning flags, protective factors, coping styles, and approaches for having conversations about suicide with young people and families. Even though death by suicide among youth under 14 years of age is not common – 46 were recorded in 2018* – suicide is on the minds of many young people who come to art therapy and, understandably, a very big concern for their families. The ASK workshop provided me with additional tools and information to better support young people and their families when suicide is a concern.
For more information about the workshop visit: https://www.abkwellness.ca/assessing-suicide-in-kids
*For more information about youth and suicide visit: https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/children-and-suicide/
In response to people of all ages who I’ve met and are at risk of suicide, I designed a business-card-size safety plan to be easily available – for example in a pocket or wallet – when someone has thoughts of suicide. You’re welcome to download and print the card for anyone who might benefit from having a reminder close at hand of personal resources and 24/7 help lines: https://dianneshannonarttherapy.ca/resources/
Just received marks for my final class of Mount Royal University’s Addiction Studies Extension Certificate. I took this program to better support the many individuals who come to art therapy and have experienced some aspect of addiction. The six online classes covered topics such as the effects of addictions on individuals, youth, families, and the brain as well as concurrent disorders and treatment.
Something I’ve noticed over the years is that there doesn’t seem to be enough support for youth who have an addicted parent, so I’m pleased to pass along a link that was shared in class to a guide produced by Starlings in Calgary:
Many friends and family over the past few years have been confronted with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, so I decided to go through the American Art Therapy Association’s outcomes-based research bibliography for information about art therapy’s efficacy for cancer patients. The articles I found are listed in the attached pdf file for those of you who are also interested. A Google search of “cancer and art therapy” will also bring up many, many examples of art therapy in cancer treatment.
There are a few spaces left for two art therapy classes I’m facilitating at the Refinery in Saskatoon. Explore grief and loss through Wolfeldt’s Ten Essential Touchstones over four sessions in May and June. Or try the one-day workshop in June called Growing the Good and discover personal resources to help you in difficult situations. Check out these and other Refinery class offerings: http://www.emmanuelrefinery.org/classes
Canadian Institute for Art Therapy co-founder Michelle Winkel describes how art therapy is adapting for online delivery during the pandemic…https://www.cbc.ca/arts/pandemic-blues-online-art-therapy-might-help-you-work-through-your-feelings-1.5826652
Research around the world is growing in support of art therapy’s effectiveness with reducing symptoms of pain, anxiety, trauma and more. The Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) publishes a research journal as does the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). Art therapy masters and masters-level programs, which are required to practice as an art therapist, include research classes as well as a thesis or project. Qualitative and quantitative results are available for many populations; here are links for just a few examples: children, cancer patients, adults, and the AATA has a 54-page outcomes bibliography. A Google search will bring up books and research about art therapy including general resources and for specific populations or concerns. If an evidence-based approach is important to you and you’re considering art therapy, ask the art therapist: How they support client values and expectations; about their expertise; and how they apply research findings and resources. Not unlike other psychotherapies, art therapists can work with you to develop a treatment plan with measurable goals and objectives and within a time frame based on your expectations.
As a registered art therapist for more than 11 years, I offer counselling through individual sessions or groups for all ages and concerns. Art therapy is a method to explore issues using the creative process that does not rely on words for someone to experience benefits. This is especially helpful for someone who finds it difficult to explain or describe complex experiences, emotions, and thoughts. Here’s a link to articles describing how people benefit from art therapy: https://arttherapy.org/upload/outcomebibliographyresearchcmte.pdf
You don’t have to be an artist to participate! There are lots of materials to choose from and I can suggest activities if you’re not sure where to begin.
For more information about me and my practice check out the links above, call me at 306-717-4811, or email dianne@dianneshannonarttherapy.ca.
I acknowledge and am grateful for the Treaty Six Territory and homeland of the Métis on which I live and work.
Dianne Shannon Art Therapy 