Same Sky, Different Light

Practicum and Supervision Experiences

2012-08-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

I am currently writing up my first case presentation for my supervision class. I wonder if I will ever get used to hearing and reading about the terrible experiences and abuse that my clients have sustained. This is the first time I am reading the actual case of someone I am working with and it breaks my heart. I wonder if anyone else in my cohort has had a similar experience. I can only hope that I'll be able to be an asset at my practicum placement. I want to do my very best for all the participants I come in contact with in my groups. There is so much pain in the world, so much suffering, but I stay hopeful because there is so much beauty in the art therapy groups that I have witnessed. I want to continue to be a part of this field for the rest of my life. I'm so happy that I found art therapy. Art has the power to help so many people. It saves my life everyday.

image source: http://www.ourbigearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Bumps0508101.png

New Cards :)

2012-08-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

LPC in Pennsylvania

2012-05-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

I am interested in becoming a licensed professional counselor after I graduate with my degree in art therapy. I wasn't sure how to go about getting my LPC so I did a little research this morning and found a site with some guidelines for attaining an LPC in Pennsylvania. I posted this information below for my fellow art therapy graduate students, as well as art therapists already in the field in PA who are interested in becoming Licensed Professional Counselors.

The following information is from http://www.counselor-exam-prep.com

The State of Pennsylvania passed its counselor licensure law in 1998 and individuals are called Licensed Professional Counselors. The law protects the title of licensed professional counselors but not the practice of counseling. A graduate degree in counseling or closely related field which included a minimum of 60 semester credit hours is required. For more information, visit: www.dos.state.pa.us/social.
The State of Pennsylvania allows individuals to become licensed professional counselors who have studied rehabilitation, music therapy, art therapy, as well as abuse and addictions. Academic requirements includes a graduate program of 60 credit hours with a minimum of 48 credits in a counseling or closely related curriculum. The post-degree clinical work experience requirement is 3600 hours at least half of which had to be supervised by someone acceptable to the state board. Because a variety of specialty trained individuals can become licensed professional counselors, a number of different national exams are used for licensure. These include the National Counselor Examination, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination, The Art Therapy Credentials Board Certification Examination, and the Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists.
A number of universities in Pennsylvania allow for the completion of the NCE by graduate students. Successful completion of the exam makes the student eligible for the National Certified Counselor credential upon graduation if the academic program is nationally accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Such graduates can use their NCE results later for state licensure. Some universities also use the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) as an exit requirement. Those universities that have arranged with NBCC to allow their graduate students to take the NCE include:
Alvernia College
Arcadia University
California University of Pennsylvania
Carlow University
Chatham College
Duquesne University
Eastern University
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Gannon University
Geneva College
Holy Family University Newton
Immaculata University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Lancaster Bible College
LaSalle University
Marywood University
Messiah College
Penn State University
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Shippensburg University
Slippery Rock University
University of Scranton
Villanova University
Waynesburg College
West Chester University

Eating Disorders Awareness Week

2012-02-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

I've been reading about art therapy in the treatment of eating disorders all weekend and just realized that this week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

"In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.(Crowther et al., 1992; Fairburn et al., 1993; Gordon, 1990; Hoek, 1995; Shisslak et al., 1995)."

This year's theme is "Everybody knows Somebody". If you do know someone, be supportive. If you are someone struggling with an eating disorder, there is help out there for you- you are not alone.

Postcards from Post Secret (http://www.postsecret.com/):

How to get published

2011-11-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

How to get Published from Taylor & Francis on Vimeo.

Great video with lots of advice on how to approach journals and get your research published! :)

Art Therapy Techniques for Children Diagnosed with ADHD

2011-11-13T09:06:00.001-08:00

Art Therapy Techniques for Children -- powered by ehow

Zentangle

2011-11-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine showed me the Zentangle about a year ago. I came across it again today online, and its really interesting. I made a couple of them in my journal, and it really is relaxing. It took my mind off the stress of graduate school for a little while. It reminds me of a less contained mandala drawing. In fact, I think I like this method more than the mandala because I get to make my own borders to the drawing instead of being confined in the circle form. Not that I'm saying a zentangle is better than a mandala. They both have good uses, and are appealing in different situations with different populations.

Try making your zentangle, especially if you're stressed right now. You'll love it :)

Temple Grandin- Thinking in Pictures

2011-11-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

I am currently writing a research paper about Art Therapy for children with Asperger's Syndrome. One of my favorite resources has been Temple Grandin's book, Thinking In Pictures: And Other Reports from My Life With Autism. I have wanted to see the movie about her life for a while now, and came across a beautiful clip on youtube:

Ten Minutes with Temple
Great Interview with Temple about Asperger's Syndrome in the workplace, and building life skills and experiences.
"I'm very concerned how the schools are taking out the hand's on classes because that's where these kids can get turned on. If I hadn't had art when I was a young kid, I would've just gotten nowhere."

"Too often, there is too much emphasis on the deficit and not enough emphasis on building the area of strength."

If you're interested in learning about autism, I highly suggest reading Grandin's book. The movie looks amazing as well, from what I've seen. If you're interested in learning more about Art Therapy in the treatment of Autism, check out Nicole Martin's Art as an Early Intervention Tool for Children with Autism. Another great book about Autism and Art Therapy is Art Therapy with Children on the Autistic Spectrum: Beyond Words by Kathy Evans and Janek Dubowski. Both books are great resources for those who are interested in what art therapy has to offer to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

Art Therapy for Eating Disorders

2011-10-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

Art Therapy: Be the Change You Want to See

2011-09-22T17:16:00.001-07:00

Make a Wish Doll :)

2011-02-19T14:32:00.001-08:00

Interview with Art Therapists from the Netherlands

2011-02-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

This video is so insightful for anyone who wants to become an art therapist or who is simply interested in art therapy :)

Its been a while.

2010-11-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

Writing on this blog feels like catching up with an old friend.
It shouldn't have been this long since I've written, where has the time gone? lol

The end of the semester is approaching and so many things have changed in the course of a few months. Most of the changes are really good, exciting changes :)
First of all, I recently found out that I have the opportunity to become a "studio assistant" at my university. This is basically a glamorous way of saying that in exchange for a studio space, I get to clean up the drawing and ceramics studios. I'm thrilled just to have a place to go and work on art after I graduate. Plus, I'll get to keep in touch with all of my friends who are graduating next semester.
I'm still looking for volunteer work; that search will get a bit more serious once the semester officially ends.
Monday is my peer review, where I'll discuss my artistic development from my first undergraduate studio class to my last. I have to submit an image CD, which gave me the opportunity to take updated photos of my work. I'm going to post some of the images on this blog since I said that I would share my artwork on here at some point lol

I can't believe that my undergraduate career is coming to an end. The last 3 and a half years have gone by so fast. This school has truly become a second home to me. I feel so lucky that I won't have to pack up right away and that I'll get the chance to continue my work. I have so many ideas for sculptures and paintings and prints- I can't wait to get started :D

David LaChapelle

2010-09-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

American Jesus: Archangel Michael: And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
n.d.
Paul Kasmin Gallery
Read about his current work here: http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/reviews/kley/david-lachapelle-michael-jackson9-14-10.asp

Equinox

2010-08-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

This will make more sense in the near future, I promise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox

"An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the centre of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator."

Dog Days are Over

2010-08-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

I've been back in the studio for less than a week (2 days really) but I'm feeling renewed. This is my home and when I'm there I feel like I truly belong somewhere. It's the greatest feeling in the world.

Having this feeling makes it difficult to believe that in less than four months, I'll be leaving the studio for good. The more I think about it, the more I want to leave the city for graduate school. I was hestitant at first but I really have my heart set on Pratt Institute in Brooklyn for graduate school. Drexel University has an amazing program, and I will be thrilled if I get in. Lately, though, I've been thinking about what it is I really want. Maybe things will be clearer once I've visited Pratt and gotten to wander around campus in person.

Every professor I respect and trust, and many friends, seem to think that Pratt would be the perfect fit for me. I'm afraid of failing, but right now, it seems like I'm more afraid to fly than I am to fail.

I'm doing everything I can to change that attitude. On monday, I will know for sure where I stand as far as the Visual art association is concerned. Will I be leading the club? Will I not? For once in my life I feel confident enough to do it. I don't carry the attitude of "someone could do it better than me" around anymore. It never helped me, just allowed me to let great opportunities pass by.

I'm excited for all of the opportunities for artistic growth that are in front of me this semester. I haven't done anything with print making in 3 years and I have been waiting to take a class like this since I started my undergraduate education. I'm not used to the process of printmaking but I have so many ideas and I hope that I can carry them out. I'll be posting images from my process in printmaking as well as images of my final painting in different stages from start to finish. Wish me luck!

2010 Top 45 Art Therapy blogs

2010-08-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Blogging Awards and Medical Billing and Coding for listing Same Sky, Different Light among the top 45 Art Therapy blogs of 2010. I was so suprised!

I found so many great art therapy blogs and am now following many of those that were also awarded!
Check out the list here:
http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/top_art_therapy/

Thank you!

Eric Daigh

2010-08-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

stippling with pushpins :)
created only using black, white, red, blue, and yellow push pins.

Tumblr

2010-08-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

http://sameskydifferentlight.tumblr.com/

the better to post more random things, my dear.

Japanese Architecture

2010-08-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

Read the article here:
Japan, Living Large in Tiny Houses

Gorgeous, fresh designs created to utilize limited space. Some of the homes are made from recycled materials. Personally, I want the penguin house. :)

Holy Family University's Art Department on WHYY

2010-08-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

Creative Campus Home Page- click to see interview with Holy Family U's Art Department

This interview really captures the spirit of a small, close-knit art department. I feel so lucky to be a part of it all.
Pam Flynn is by far one of the best teachers, of any subject, that I've ever had. Love you Pam!! Thanks WHYY!

All of a Sudden

2010-07-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

I'm sketching again and what's more is that I'm dying to paint the things I sketch. I've been going through an artist's block for quite a while now. Maybe it was insecurity that the ideas I had weren't "good enough". I think I'm just going to let myself fly instead of worrying about falling.

Yesterday, I sketched a few images that mean something to me and I didn't struggle with myself while drawing them out. I can't wait to start painting.

Alphonse Mucha

2010-07-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Happy 150th Birthday to Mucha!

FemalePersuasion.net

2010-07-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

This site is amazing!
Full of current female artists including (but not limited to!) photographers, painters, sculptors and musicians.

Definitely worth checking out :)

FemalePersuasion.net

Jaclyn Santos

2010-07-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Santos uses her artwork to make strong statements about the identities and portrayal of women in modern times. I really relate to her because she often uses herself as the model, displaying herself as various female stereotypes such as the sexy housewife, wild sans underwear celebrity on a night out, the beautiful woman alone at the bar, as well as placing herself into masculine settings such as a men's bathroom, standing or sitting in a urinal. The women in these paintings, many of them very attractive, still seem awkward. It as if they don't belong any where. Santos places these figures alone in their environment to emphasize their isolation from society, something that is becoming more common in America's modern culture.

Read Jaclyn's interview with femalepersuasion.net about her experience with reality tv show Work of Art;
http://fpgirlcrush.blogspot.com/

Check out more of her work at:
jaclynsantos.com