Using the visual arts in the therapy session, opens the door to more creative thought in all aspects of life, within and outside of the therapy session.
The book, Healing the Child Within by Charles Whitfield, has helped people learn how to self-soothe and nurture themselves in a safe fashion. While it can be difficult to teach a new client self-love, it is a concept that is much more accessible once the person imagines themselves as a vulnerable child. Most people can love the symbol, image, or ego-state of a child.
I explain to clients that while our relationship and connection is very important, it is most important that a discipline is fostered that deepens their connection between adult and child parts of self. The reason for this is that I am not available 24/7, but you are. While it may seem unfair (at first) that you the adult must reparent yourself,…. this is a model that works best. As you become more connected to the parts of you that have been lost or separated due to trauma, abuse, neglect, grief and loss, or addiction, the more you become integrated and whole. The more integrated you become, the more you are able to consistently and reliably access your skills, talents, abilities, creativity, connection, and love on a consistent basis. For those with addiction, this is a good way to help reduce cravings,….. self-love for all parts of self. Even the most difficult parts of self, the parts that continue to act out in destructive ways, were created for a good purpose. They just need your adult attention, grounding, love, help, forgiveness, and a new job description.
This art piece was created by a scientist with no art background. This was not an official assignment, but instead it was an art piece that emerged organically from personal insight and inspiration. This art piece accurately describes the trajectory from broken inner child, to the adult’s self-parenting, and the resulting wholeness that emerged from these processes. The irony, is that by loving the little boy inner child state, the man became more of a man. This level of transformation was very evident, even in his posture and ways of relating to others.