Swap a sketch on line!

http://www.sketchswap.com/

This is a cool idea--could be useful in therapy, if you have an internet connection, or fun for yourself!

Fusion--an e-zine

FUSION, an e-zine especially for Planet Art Therapy inspired by members and work of the Art Therapy Alliance and International Art Therapy Organization [IATO], as well as a voice for news, stories, and the art therapy community worldwide!

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410068979

Self-care for therapists working with clients in trauma (good for everyone, methinks)

I got this directly from: http://traumatherapy.typepad.com/trauma_attachment_therapy/2009/10/self-care-for-trauma-therapists.html so I guess it's like a RB (ReBlog).

(I follow a number of therapy/AT Twitter accounts...the link to this blog came from TLCchildtrauma.)

Robin Shapiro wrote:

"As trauma therapists, we are privileged to watch our clients’ trauma fade from terrible, here-and-now experiences to mere memories; their dissociation shift to integrated presence, and their pain disappear. We are also privy to the gut-wrenching details of rape, accidents, war, and story after story of child abuse, domestic violence, and horrible neglect. The more terrible the abuse and the more dissociated the clients, the more they project the actual emotions of their trauma into us. Some therapists become grim. Some avoid complex trauma clients. Some help their clients avoid expressing affect in the sessions. Some burn out and leave the profession. Here are some ways to keep yourself whole while doing this important work.

1. Do your own work. If you’re not able to tolerate your own history and your current affect, you won’t be able to tolerate the despair, rage, shame, and grief that move through many trauma survivors.

2. Learn mindfulness. Meditate, do yoga, do chi gong, do breathing exercises. It will help you “stay in the chair” while witnessing whatever is there to see. Learn to breathe and ground yourself while being with anything.

3. Know yourself. If you start a session in a state of equilibrium, and you start feeling rage or exhaustion in the session, guess that it may be the client’s rage or dissociation. If you then say “What are you feeling right now? There’s something in the room.” The client is likely to say, “Oh, I’m angry, I guess it’s about X.” or “Oh, I was just spacing out.” When you know where you are, you’ll know when you are being drawn into someone else’s experience and use it for their benefit.

4. Know the signs of burn out:

a. You aren’t excited to go to work.

b. You talk only about work and have no other interests.

c. You treat everyone on earth like a client.

d. You dream about clients, all the time.

e. You’re angry at clients for being the way they are.

f. You feel shame for your human limitations.

g. You have vicarious PTSD: flashbacks, anxiety, depression, avoidance around client material.

h. You want to drink, gamble, or otherwise dissociate after work.

5. Get support.

a. Join a supportive consultation group. (Not just about the technique, but about you, too. And no shaming allowed.)

b. You might get individual consultation for the most troubling cases. As a consultant, I’m going step-by-step with a few consultees with their most fragile, barely tractable cases. It’s good for the therapists and good for the clients.

c. Increase your therapeutic arsenal. If what you’re doing isn’t working, find something else that does.

d. Do your own work. Hire a good trauma therapist who can help you clear your vicarious trauma.

6. Develop other interests that have nothing to do with therapy. Make sure some of them involve unmitigated joy.

7. Do things that bring you into your body: Run, stretch, work out, dance, do yoga.

8. If you have any control over your schedule, limit the number of the most complex, dissociated, abused, unstable clients. And don’t put them all on one day.

9. You will probably learn your tolerance the way most of us do, by exceeding it. Once you know, keep your own boundaries. Follow the Platinum Rule: “Fill your own cup first, then give away what’s left over.” And another rule, “To Thine Own Self Be Nice.” Trauma is compelling, but don’t let it run your entire life.

10. Watch out for grandiosity. You can’t fix everything. Know your limits.

11. If you have a spiritual practice, use it to support your work. Ask whatever higher power you have for help when stuck."

Offer to students from AATA

Saw this in the AATA Newsletter:
Targeting Student Members - The national operations staff is
working closely with the newly reinstated 2009 Membership
Committee and its Board liaison Judith Rubin, to increase student
membership. A special coordinating effort is underway through
alumni, current student members, partner educational organiza-
tions, and others. Central to the recruitment plan is the Mentor
Program, and other special discount programs. A special $40 rate
in honor of the 40 Year Celebration is being offer for the balance
of this year for non-current student members, and an additional
$40 annual membership fee for students for all of 2010.
Professional liability insurance for students is a new offering to
assist AATA student members.

Panel recap

The panel was a SUCCESS!

Here are some nuggets:
One of the panelists suggested putting your theoretical organization on your resume, although the therapeutic relationship was underscored as the foundation of sitting with a client. There was mention of bringing one's portfolio (remember those?) to interviews. Also, specialization in a specific population was cited as a way to create a niche for yourself.

There was an informative discussion about the MFT licensure process. Not all of the panelists are currently licensed, and of course, each panelist had their own process and level of anxiety around testing. The Grossman study course was highly recommended. http://gerrygrossman.com/mall/StudyMats.php. Taubman was also mentioned as an option. http://www.nvo.com/btatraining/pr002data/ There was a general agreement that the test is focused on what one panelist called, "BBS World," which the panelists felt has varying degrees of relationship to the "real world." It was suggested that interns begin saving toward the cost of the test and the preparation courses. Other preparation strategies included EMDR, hypnotherapy, tutoring, study groups, and obtaining a prescription for Beta Blockers.

Panelists differed in their opinions of the merit of attaining both the ATR and the ATR-BC. Some felt that it was a mark of personal idealism, of professionalism, while others questioned the meaning of those designations.

We were encouraged to seek out paid internships positions post graduation, and not settle for an unpaid position.

Panelists encouraged us to do presentations regarding Art Therapy or clinical presentations on specifc case at our sites, which they feel lead to referrals or consultations.

The county process (specific to San Mateo) is lengthy, involving an 11 pg questionnaire on line, a panel interview and subsequent ranking, and then a site specific panel. If we are interested in a county position down the road, it was suggested that we sign up for email alerts so that we are told when the lists are opened.

And, easy enough to forget with all we do and will be doing, panelists emphasized not to forget focusing on art, being with art, sitting with art.

For me, this panel was a terrific opportunity to learn. I wish I'd had the chance to hear these perspectives earlier in my time at NDNU, since the panelists talked about chosing practicum sites and thesis topics with an eye toward one's professional future.

I'd love to see more panels: about the trainee experience, about the thesis process...this is a good way for me to get information, and I think would save the energy many of us put into seeking information and, in some cases, reinventing the informational wheel.

Any other attendees are welcome to add what stood out for them!

There is Life After Graduation

We won't be writing Lit Reviews and presenting Orals forever.
(Will we?)

On Sunday, April 5 from 5-7 pm GATSA is sponsoring a panel
focusing on the post-graduate experience.
The panel will take place after the Oral presentations that day in Taube Center.

Questions will center around school to work transition, readiness to sit for the MFT license, decision-making around pursuing ATR Board Certification, securing employment, etc.

Panelists are:
Leon Cannon
Alice Locke Chavez
Stacey DeForrest
Lisa Giovannetti
(a willing panelist, albeit not an NDNU alum)
Justine LaBatch

Please join us with your questions.

ROUND THREE of Orals Presentations is just around the corner - on Sunday April 5th!

Presentations begin at 9:00am, and arrive early for the best seats! We'll feed your mind and your body; you're welcome to stay for the potluck lunch.

ROUND TWO of Orals on April 4th, 2009!!

Click pic to enlarge
Orals will begin at 9AM sharp on that day.

Flyer for the Oral Presentations this Saturday!

ORALS!!!

Hi Everyone, Here is the schedule for Orals!

Saturday, March 28
Erin Morgan
Morgan Katcher
Julia Boekelheide
Nissa Jackson
Mimi Tung
Laura Rutledge

Sunday, March 29
Kim Stiller
Cale Davis
Autumn Powell
Heather Morgan
Maria Paull

Saturday, April 4
Lucy Lopez
Raphaelle Novotny
Paige Donnell
Melanie Dorson
Mina Bressler
Leah Moreno

Sunday, April 5
Barbara Bailey-Porter
Stacy Dixon
Angelena Gagliardi
Amy Quinn
Devora Weinapple
Kristyn Tanaka

Saturday, April 18
Kay Foley
Kerri Mahon
Sarah Bulger
Bridge Stolee


Presenters > you are welcome to upload your invitation. Leave your comments or email me to post it. Tako: takomura2007@hotmail.com

Other students> Let's attend to learn and support !

Welcome to GATSA's Blog!

This is a blog by GATSA!!