Diane M. McKnight InnerSpirit Art Therapy

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“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀Check out the link below to understand more about how art therapy works.
https://youtu.be/kwG5d57HJL0?si=kiQ3r2NAZ-hLsOZN
“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

👀Another Mandala begins!

👀💕💕💕🤗🫣👀
Watch for the dates for our next 6 week session of our ongoing online Mandala Mondays Art Therapy group! Starting sometime in early February, More details to come!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

🐶🐾🦴🐕ME: Buffy, what are you doing?” BUFFY: I’m practicing my new Yoga stretches for my neck. I know that you always tell me the importance of Dr. Stephen Cabral’s D-E-S-T-R-E-S-S protocol. Yoga incorporates two of the 8 parts, Stress Reduction and Exercise so I thought it might help me to feel better.”

ME: “That’s great! We need to tell our followers what all of the 8 parts are so that they can also benefit. The DESTRESS PROTOCOL consists of D=Diet, E=Exercise, S=Stress, T=Toxins, R=Rest, E=Emotions, S=Supplements, S=Success Mindset.”

BUFFY: “Yes, they all seem to be important in making sure that we are mentally and physically healthy. I’ve really come to believe that, and we need to work at making sure that we are addressing them all since our body is so interconnected.”
ME: “Wow, you actually listen to me sometimes and do some of the things that I tell you about!” BUFFY: “Don’t go and get a big head about this or expect that I’m suddenly going to do what you say or not use the “selective listening” skills that I’ve worked hard to perfect. That’s NOT happening!” 🤣

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

👀This Mandala is finished! Obviously I was thinking about spring flowers and trying to escape this cold winter season that I hate! I’ve never been a cold weather gal! I look forward every year to late March when things start being alive again.
Are you a cold weather fan? Do you have winter sports that you enjoy that make it tolerable? Let me know in the comments!

👀💕💕💕🤗🫣👀
Watch for the dates for our next 6 week session of our ongoing online Mandala Mondays Art Therapy group! Starting sometime in early February, More details to come!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀 Check the link below.
https://www.kplctv.com/video/2024/01/04/hometown-hero-retired-air-force-chaplain-helps-combat-veterans-through-art-therapy/
Art therapy is a powerful way for veterans and other trauma survivors to express their emotions about the terrifying events that they have witnessed and sometimes participated in. It is often difficult for trauma survivors to talk about their experiences and art can be a way to allow them to communicate their intense emotions and not have to keep them all locked up inside, which can cause additional mental and even physical ailments.

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

Happy Holidays everyone! I’m out of my virtual office all of this week (12/25/23-1/1/24) for my annual holiday vacation. It is a much needed time for self care and rest before the busy New Year begins. I will see everyone again when the work week starts on TUES 1/2/24! Blessings to everyone!

👀Another Mandala begins! I must be rebelling against the cold weather of December and thinking of the flowers of spring already 🤣. I’ve never been a fan of the cold!

👀💕💕💕🤗🫣👀
Watch for the dates for our next 6 week session of our ongoing online Mandala Mondays Art Therapy group! Starting sometime in early February, More details to come!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀Mandala completed! This one was hard to photograph since I used some metallic paint in some places and it really doesn’t show up as glittery as the actual piece is. It was fun to play around with the metallic accents, I think that I’m going to try another one using the metallic ink and see how it turns out.

👀💕💕💕🤗🫣👀
Watch for the dates for our next 6 week session of our ongoing online Mandala Mondays Art Therapy group! Starting sometime in early February, More details to come!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀 Check the link below!
https://youtu.be/EVW2XGJ2Kng?si=CjZ_gbIvj8KB3QyS.
Art therapy is a way of helping children and adults who are dealing with various health issues. Physical health is very directly linked to our mental health. A lot of complicated emotions can be generated by health complications related to limited mobility, severe pain, fear of tests or surgeries, symptom management, fear of death, social isolation, fear of being alone, fear and sadness about being away from home and missing loved ones, can all lead to anxiety, depression and sometimes medical trauma.
Art therapists who work in hospitals help patients deal with these emotions and help the patient’s families to understand the patients emotions and process their own emotions related to the patients struggles.
👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

🎨Here is my 2024 Vision Board! I have been taking a free Vision Board workshop facilitated by another art therapist, Leah Guzman, ATR-BC. It has been a lot of fun!
First we brainstormed about all of the things that we wanted to have or enhance in our lives in the coming year, then we picked one or two of them that we thought were the most important for us to focus on. We assigned a word to each (I used 2 words, Health and Creativity) and then created a personal symbol to represent them. I incorporated my symbol that I created of a heart with and EKG test line through it and colored squiggle lines coming out from the heart. It is on my board just above the word “Focus” and sitting between the segments of the vision board that represents those two parts of my life.
For the actual vision board, I actually added 3 more areas that I want to work on this year and next year which are “Family & Friends”, “Deeper Spiritual Connection” and “My Travels”.
Have you even created a vision board? It can be a lot of fun to do! Now I just have to put it somewhere that I will see it every day so that I keep my “vision” in my head and stay focused.

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

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🐶🐾🦴🐕ME: “What are your plans for after work today? Should we go for a walk?” COCOA: “Well, part of me is excited by that idea, but after just celebrating my 16th birthday, I might need a nap instead. Besides, the arthritis in my legs hurts already and I’m very stiff.” ME: “I can understand your feelings on that one…I’m not the youngest 🤣! I know it may be hard to get motivated, but walking may loosen up your joints and has a lot of benefits…if you could just go even a short distance. A little sun for the Vitamin D isn’t a bad idea either.”

COCOA: Augh! Do I get a choice in this? Give me more incentives and I’ll think about going with you.” ME: Here’s 10 other benefits: 1) Provides a better night’s sleep; 2) Sharpens your thinking; 3) Improves energy levels 4) Reduces risk of physical health issues; 5) Improves your confidence; 6) It is a mood booster; 7) Stress release 8) Enhances your memory; 9) Relieves anxiety; and 10) Reduces social isolation.”

COCOA: “Ok, I’ll go, you made me feel guilty enough. Have I told you lately how much I HATE that you are an art therapist! I know Buffy agrees with me in that one!”
For more on these benefits check out this link 👀 https://www.irt.org.au/the-good-life/10-benefits-of-exercise-for-mental-health/

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀

👀 Check out the link below.
https://youtu.be/SGFVR2q-Mhg?si=2C-UsWs-s814YzfI
Art Therapy can provide woman who have suffered sexual assault in the military with a powerful healing option, since it can provide them with another way to express the very deep and traumatic emotions that such violence creates for them. Sexual assault has always been a widely difficult subject for our society to discuss and really except how frequently this happens to women. When these events occur within the military, the pressures of shame, retaliation if reported, and struggles with the mental and physical after affects cause these woman to often keep their emotions inside and this causes increased mental health issues for them along with sometimes affecting their military job performance. So often even when this type of assault is reported to the military police, it is still very difficult to have the perpetrators suffer any significant restrictions or legal punishment even if it can be proven that they did this act to the woman.
This leaves women who are brave enough to report it with the fear of the perpetrators harming them again physically, emotionally or with their career advancement in the future. These predators are often in some type of seniority position and can often use their rank as a way to provide opportunities for these assaults and later manipulating behaviors toward women.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted in the military, art therapy can be an effective way to process the after effects of these acts. I specialize in working with Woman Veterans who have suffered sexual assault and/or other traumas due to their military career. Please give me a call at (919) 727-8884 or email me at [email protected] or visit my website for more information and resources.

🐶🐾🦴🐕BUFFY: “YES, I did hear the alarm go off over an hour ago! Why do I have to get up that early for work, what you see is what you get!” ME: “I wanted to have you outside and fed by now.” BUFFY: “Whose fault is that? I was finishing my beauty sleep. You always say that sleep is one of the cornerstones of good mental and physical health.”

ME: “You sleep more than is actually needed. Most of us should get at least 8-10 hours of sound sleep a night”. BUFFY: “Are you suggesting that I’m lazy? I’ll let that one slide! What’s happens during sleep that’s so great, other than it’s warm and cozy?”.
ME: “There are several healthy things that the body does to keep busy during our “resting time”..
ME: “ #1. Your Brain Consolidates Memories and Stores Information, #2. Sleep Activates Immunological Memory, #3. Hormones Flood Your Body, #4. Your Stress Levels Decrease, #5. Your Immune System Releases Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines, #6. Your Body Repairs Damaged Tissues, #7. Your Heart Slows Down, #8. Your Muscles Paralyze, #9. Your Metabolic Rate Decreases, #10. Saliva Flow Slows Down, and #11. Your Brain Generates Dreams.” 👀(See the links below for what each of these things do for us)

https://naplab.com/guides/what-happens-when-you-sleep/
https://sanescohealth.com/blog/10-things-your-body-does-while-you-sleep/

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀

👀 Check the link below! .
https://youtu.be/FNqqlf8h2Z8?si=BFl6mQdUxEge2FF8..
Art Therapy is a great way to build community and socialization with the group participants, it also allows them to talk and find other commonalities about their emotional and physical struggles. The group component can often enhance and support individual art healing properties. Get a group together and do an art project night, or join an online art therapy group like the ones that I offer during the year. My next groups will be starting in February. .
Interested in an art therapy group? Give me a call at (919) 727-8884 or send me a DM, leave your interest in the comments or email me at [email protected].

👀 Check the link below! .
https://youtu.be/FNqqlf8h2Z8?si=BFl6mQdUxEge2FF8..
Art Therapy is a great way to build community and socialization with the group participants, it also allows them to talk and find other commonalities about their emotional and physical struggles. The group component can often enhance and support individual art healing properties. Get a group together and do an art project night, or join an online art therapy group like the ones that I offer during the year. My next groups will be starting in February. .
Interested in an art therapy group? Give me a call at (919) 727-8884 or send me a DM, leave your interest in the comments or email me at [email protected].

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀Another Mandala is done! This one was super fun to work on with all of the bright swirling colors!

👀💕💕💕🤗🫣👀
Watch for the dates for our next 6 week session of our ongoing online Mandala Mondays Art Therapy group! Starting sometime in early February, More details to come!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

Mandala progress! Blending blues and allowing the water and paint to flow freely was very soothing. I can’t wait to work on the rest of the shapes. When I’m was done painting, I felt refreshed and very relaxed. Art has that effect …give it a try! A “Special Holiday” Mandala Mondays art therapy group is filling up NOW! Hurry to get your spot! Contact me via DM here or at (919) 727-8884 or [email protected] for questions or to sign up. See the details below.

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A “Special Holiday” Mandala Mondays starting MON 12/4 10:00-11:30 am. (You will still be able to sign up for the ongoing group every 6 weeks after this session, but this is a special HOLIDAY GROUP). The cost is $300 (based on $50 a week) and must be paid at the time you sign up prior to the first group session (to help with finances during the holiday season, you may request paying in 2 installments of $150, the first due upon sign up, and the remaining $150 charged on 1/5/24 to the same credit/debit card put on file).

We will meet for 3 weeks prior to the holidays to help us prepare for the holiday challenges (Meeting MON 12/4, 12/11, 12/28). THEN BREAK 2 WEEKS FOR THE HOLIDAY TIME. We will meet again after the holidays for the remaining 3 weeks to process any emotions and issues that you may have experienced during the 2 week holiday break (Meeting MON 11/8, 11/15, 11/22).
I will provide a suggested art supply list and you can purchase all or some of the supplies. You can also use any art supplies that you may already have. Send me a DM, call me at (919) 727-8884, or email me [email protected] for more info and to reserve your spot before they are gone!!!!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

👀 Check the link below!
https://wgntv.com/video/cancer-survivor-art-therapist-reunite-and-share-inspiring-stories/9037810/.

Art therapy is good way to express the emotions that may be hard to communicate with words alone. Creating art with an art therapist can provide an outlet for some of the sad and confusing thoughts that children may have when they have to be in the hospital due to an illness or injury that they are being forced to deal with. Often, these patients are given very little choice in the types of tests or treatment plan that they are asked to undergo to heal. Art therapy provides them the ability to make choices about the colors they use, the media that they use to express their emotions and how the final artwork will look. .
Creating art with an art therapist can often be one of the experiences that these patients remember from the hard times of testing, poking and prodding to complete their road to healing. This former patient chose to reunite with the art therapist that helped her succeed in managing her emotions during her cancer diagnosis. For this art therapist, just knowing that her help was valued so much by this patient was enough to reinstate for her the importance of the work that she does.

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

🐶🐾🦴🐕COCOA: Hey, when am I going to the groomer? You stress business personal care…so what about me?” ME: Sorry, the holiday season always gets me behind. I will set up an appointment for you today”. COCOA: Thanks. Remember…even with all of the holiday commitments and shopping, we have to remember to nurture ourselves to not burn out or increase our depression and/or anxiety. We have to try to still get good sleep, good nutrition, physical activity, and ample socialization. Falling short on any of these can significantly affect our moods! I AM learning this stuff working with you in the office.” ME: Yes, thank you for the reminder. Caregivers often have to work extra hard to remind ourselves that we need to keep our energy reserve replenished so that we can continue to keep others healthy and keep our own mental and physical strength strong.” .
Even allowing ourselves several 5-10 min breaks during the busy days to relax and do deep breathing can help reset our energy levels and reduce our cortisol levels which will reduce the overall negative effects of stress.

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀

Another Mandala begins! A “Special Holiday” Mandala Mondays art therapy group is filling up NOW! Hurry to get your spot! Contact me via DM here or at (919) 727-8884 or [email protected] for questions or to sign up. See the details below.

👀💕💕💕🤗🫣👀
A “Special Holiday” Mandala Mondays art therapy group will begin starting MON 12/4 10:00-11:30 am. (You will still be able to sign up for the ongoing group every 6 weeks after this session, but this is a special HOLIDAY GROUP). The cost is $300 (based on $50 a week) and must be paid at the time you sign up prior to the first group session (to help with finances during the holiday season, you may request paying in 2 installments of $150, the first due upon sign up, and the remaining $150 charged on 1/5/24 to the same credit/debit card put on file).

We will meet for 3 weeks prior to the holidays to help us prepare for the holiday challenges (Meeting MON 12/4, 12/11, 12/28). THEN BREAK 2 WEEKS FOR THE HOLIDAY TIME. We will meet again after the holidays for the remaining 3 weeks to process any emotions and issues that you may have experienced during the 2 week holiday break (Meeting MON 11/8, 11/15, 11/22).
I will provide a suggested art supply list prior to the first meeting date and you can purchase all or some of the supplies at your discretion. You are also encouraged to use any art supplies that you may already have. Send me a DM, call me at (919) 727-8884, or send an an email to [email protected] for more information and to reserve your spot before they are gone!!!!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

Another Mandala is complete! A “Special Holiday” Mandala Mondays art therapy group is filling up NOW! Hurry to get your spot! Contact me via DM here or at (919) 727-8884 or [email protected] for questions or to sign up. See the details below.

👀💕💕💕🤗🫣👀
A “Special Holiday” Mandala Mondays art therapy group will begin starting MON 12/4 10:00-11:30 am. (You will still be able to sign up for the ongoing group every 6 weeks after this session, but this is a special HOLIDAY GROUP). The cost is $300 (based on $50 a week) and must be paid at the time you sign up prior to the first group session (to help with finances during the holiday season, you may request paying in 2 installments of $150, the first due upon sign up, and the remaining $150 charged on 1/5/24 to the same credit/debit card put on file).

We will meet for 3 weeks prior to the holidays to help us prepare for the holiday challenges (Meeting MON 12/4, 12/11, 12/28). THEN BREAK 2 WEEKS FOR THE HOLIDAY TIME. We will meet again after the holidays for the remaining 3 weeks to process any emotions and issues that you may have experienced during the 2 week holiday break (Meeting MON 11/8, 11/15, 11/22).
I will provide a suggested art supply prior to the first meeting date and you can purchase all or some of the supplies at your discretion. You are also encouraged to use any art supplies that you may already have. Send me a DM, call me at (919) 727-8884, or send an an email to [email protected] for more information and to reserve your spot before they are gone!!!!

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃

👀 Check the link below!
https://youtu.be/ycHS4QELtFE?si=cn3SD-Tjuq0MnvJy .
Art therapy is good way to express emotions that are hard to express with words. Traumatic experiences from our lives leave deep scars both emotionally and physically. What defines a traumatic experience is different for everyone, so it is important to not judge others or to try to compare the experiences that are traumatic to them to your own. Allowing colors, shapes and symbols to emerge from deep within can have a cathartic effect and can offer opportunities for further emotional processing with an art therapist. .

👩🏻‍🎨🖌🎨🌈💜💙💚💛❤️🧡💪

“Keep working toward your personal healing goals…and a healthy lifestyle will help you get there”. 💓😃