Personal Therapy For Adults
Some adults have a specific problem that they would like help in understanding and processing such as:
- Relationship Difficulties
- Bereavement
- Eating Disorder
- History of Abuse
- Psychiatric History
- Gender & Sexual Orientation
- Self-esteem
- Depression Medical Issues
- Anger Issues
- Drugs & Alcohol Misuse
- Domestic Violence
- Trauma or stress related issues
Adults can sometimes find it hard to express what they are feeling through the conventional methods of talking therapies. Art and Sandplay Therapy as a personal therapy can help you process your feelings through a creative process. You do not need any artistic skills just a willingness to experiment through different art forms. This is your time to experiment, play, and grow by discovering personal imagery and metaphor in a supportive environment.
Short excerpt from a process with a 43 year old female client
Gillian (pseudo name) began gathering objects such as shells, stars, string, twigs, pollen material. She allowed herself to be spontaneous, and experienced laughter and feeling like a child as she stuffed the objects in her pocket. She had no idea why she chose these particular objects, but went along with what she felt she wanted to do. The wooly material felt so soft against her skin. The process seemed to capture her and she began using the objects to create a mobile.
During the verbal reflection that followed she shared with me how she had begun to experience feelings of sadness when she looked at the gold stars. She realised that she had never been good enough to get a gold star in school. Whilst she acknowledged her sadness, she rewarded her inner child with eight gold stars. Placing each one on the mobile she began to feel that in that moment she had reversed
one of the conditions she had experienced in childhood, which was associated with not being as good as her sister.
This process enabled her to integrated develop some true self worth. Silverstine a leading therapist comments: “And wider yet, art therapy can facilitate integration and the development of a healthy functioning way of being. In moments relating with the image a sense integration can come.” (Silverstone, L (1997) Art Therapy – the Person-Centred Way)
