Water & Stone, a Creative Arts Therapy PLLC

What does community feel like to you? Is it a circle of friends, a supportive group, or simply the people who understand you best? A community can be a source of strength, connection, and healing. Who makes up your community, and how do they uplift you?

Could you image your life feeling fulfilled and true to yourself? What would that look and feel like for you? 💙

When you hear "art therapy" what comes to mind? Creative arts therapy looks different for everyone. But, that is the exciting part of it!

It’s a path to healing, unique to you! 🔵

With Summer being halfway over, write down things you’re grateful for or positive experiences you’ve had this summer on small pieces of paper. Decorate the jar and fill it with these notes. Reflect on these when you need a visual reminder of all the good things in your life.

Challenging experiences often lead to positive and transformative outcomes. These experiences can be hard to navigate but have the potential to foster growth, change, and unexpected blessings.

Let your imagination guide you to create an image of a place that evokes feelings of safety and calm. This could be a real place (like a favorite room, park, or beach), an imaginary space or a memory.

What does this place look like? What colors are present? How does this place make you feel?

Cut out images or textures from magazines and other materials to build a collage representation of the safe place or use digital tools to create a virtual depiction of the space. However you decide, have fun and embrace the calm!

Self-discovery helps you gain a deeper understanding of who you truly are, beyond societal expectations, roles, and external influences. It allows you to connect with your authentic self, which is fundamental for personal fulfillment and happiness. But how do we “self-discover”?

You can express your self-image, identity, and personal feelings through the creation of a self-portrait. Depict yourself as you see yourself now or as you would like to be by painting, drawing, making a collage etc.!

This can be a realistic depiction or an abstract representation. Have fun with this empowering activity!

Performing a mental health self-check-in is an important step in maintaining emotional well-being and addressing potential concerns early on. It promotes self-awareness and empowers you to take proactive steps toward better mental health!

So, how are you doing today? 💙

Summer is a fantastic time to explore art therapy activities that can help you relax, express yourself, and tap into your creativity.

Here are some ideas:

Outdoor Sketching: Take your sketchbook and pencils outside to a park, garden, or even your backyard. Let the beauty of nature inspire your art.

Sand Art: If you're lucky enough to live near a beach or have access to sand, try creating art in the sand! You can make sculptures, draw designs, or write affirmations. Let the waves wash away your creations, symbolizing letting go of stress.

Watercolor Painting: Experiment with watercolor painting outdoors. Set up a space in your garden or balcony and paint what you see around you. Watercolor paints are portable and easy to clean up, making them perfect for outdoor use.

Photography Walks: Use photography as a form of art therapy by going on walks with the intention of capturing beautiful or meaningful moments. Pay attention to light, textures, and colors. Photography can help you focus on the present moment and find beauty in everyday life.

Sun Prints: Try making sun prints, also known as cyanotypes, using sunlight to create beautiful blue and white images. You can use leaves, flowers, or other objects to create interesting patterns. This process is both artistic and scientific, making it a fun and educational activity.

Group Art Projects: Get together with friends or family members for collaborative art projects. You could create a mural, work on a large-scale painting together, or even organize a group pottery session. Creating art with others can be a bonding experience and a source of support and inspiration.

Art Meditation: Dedicate some time each day to meditative art practices such as mindful coloring, doodling, or zentangle drawing. Focus on your breath and let your intuition guide your creative process. This can help quiet your mind and promote relaxation.

Art heals by relieving stress and releasing emotions, helping you discover more about yourself and lift your mood. 🎨✨ How has art helped you on your mental health journey?

Each morning, we have the chance to draw upon our inner strength and energy reserves. It's a reminder that yesterday's challenges do not need to define today. 💙

Finding what fills your cup is a personal journey of self-discovery and self-care. It involves identifying activities and practices that nurture your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, helping you to feel more balanced, energized, and fulfilled in your daily life. What fills your cup?

During the summer months, find activities that help you relax and recharge in a way that feels meaningful to you. Enjoy the opportunity to unplug and prioritize your well-being. Read a book, take a nap in a hammock, or simply relax and enjoy the summer breeze!

Creating a "Summer Dreams Vision Board" is a fun and creative way to visualize your aspirations and goals for the summer season. Use images, words, and symbols from magazines, catalogs, or your own drawings to depict your hopes, dreams, and intentions for the months ahead.

It's essential to create inclusive and supportive environments where men feel comfortable seeking help and addressing their mental health needs. Learn more about this topic by visiting:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health

This quote by Dan Millman captures a profound truth about managing our thoughts and emotions.

It reminds us that while we may not always have control over the thoughts that arise in our minds, we do have the power to choose how we respond to them. 🌿

Engaging in hobbies can be a wonderful way to boost mood and improve overall well-being.

Choose activities that you genuinely enjoy and find meaningful!

Whether you prefer solitary pursuits or social activities, incorporating hobbies into your routine can help promote happiness and balance in your life. 🧘

In art therapy, the focus is on the process of creating art and the therapeutic benefits it provides, rather than the final product.

It's about tapping into one's creativity and using art as a tool for self-discovery, emotional processing, and personal growth.

Whether someone considers themselves artistic or not, art therapy can be a valuable outlet for exploring thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Achieving healthy sleep is crucial for overall well-being! This week, we challenge you to establish a calming pre-sleep routine, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation exercises. Calm your mind and promote relaxation before bedtime. 😴

Meditation offers a holistic approach to stress reduction by addressing both the physiological and psychological aspects of stress, ultimately promoting a sense of calm, balance, and resilience in daily life.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to make time for activities that bring us joy or a sense of purpose. Engaging in activities that bring us happiness can boost our mood, reduce stress, and increase overall life satisfaction.

What hobbies and activities bring you joy?

Grounding techniques are helpful strategies to manage feelings of anxiety, stress, or dissociation by connecting you to the present moment. Experiment with these techniques to discover which ones work best for you in different situations.

Remember, practice is key to mastering these skills and incorporating them into your daily routine for better emotional regulation. ✨💙

Self-care is essential for maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. What do you do for self-care?

May is month.

A reminder that mental health IS health. 💙

Mental health awareness is the ongoing effort to reduce the stigma around mental illness and mental health conditions.

Often, because of misconceptions about mental health, people suffer in silence and their conditions go untreated. Mental health plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being. We challenge you to put yourself and your health first this month!

Contact https://www.creativelyhealing.com/ for additional support in reaching your personal goals.

We have an awesome lineup planned for the 2024 Water & Stone CAT Conference! We hope to see you there.

Curious about signing up? Head to www.fireflyandphoenix.com to learn more and register. Registration is open until 5/31/24.

It's natural to feel concerned about things beyond your control. Focus your energy and attention on the aspects you can influence.

Engaging in creative arts therapy can be a powerful tool in this journey. Whether it's painting, music, or writing, these expressive outlets can provide a safe space to explore your emotions, gain insights, and foster resilience. This ongoing process requires patience, self-compassion, and resilience, but it's also a journey of self-discovery and growth.

🌷

Remember that coping with anxiety is a journey, and it may involve trial and error to find what works best for you! Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way.

Don't forget that early bird registration will run through 4/30/24 for the Water & Stone CAT Conference! https://www.fireflyandphoenix.com/conference.html

We are excited to offer 3 days of virtual workshops (join from everywhere!) and TWO FULL DAYS of in-person (Chelsea, Manhattan, NYC)!

Friday, June 7th - Sunday, June 9th.
We have an amazing schedule and incredible presenters that you can learn about right on our website here:
https://www.fireflyandphoenix.com/conference.html
To learn more about the cost and details, please head over to our website!
*We offer a Payment Plan at no extra cost to help make everything more accessible!*

Presenter Bios, Workshop Descriptions, etc.: https://www.fireflyandphoenix.com/conference.html
Questions: [email protected]

I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have! Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon!
Warmly,
Emery

2024 Conference This year we focus on... Curiosity & Creativity: Challenging the Chaos Within Ourselves and the World Friday June 7 - Sunday June 9 Virtual Workshops - Zoom In-Person Workshops - Manhattan (near 6th...