International Women's Day series of art therapy workshops

Good afternoon all!

I hope you're all managing to stay afloat these trying days. It continues to be challenging for many, and in so many different ways. I've been toying with starting art therapy groups again and with International Women's Day on the horizon ...it's given me impetus to say, right, let's go!!

So, starting this Saturday, I will facilitate a 5 week series of workshops, Saturday mornings from March 6 - East..er Saturday, April 3 on zoom. Like last time, there will be different topics every week. If you are interested to join, please email me and I'll add you to the list. To get an idea of what it's like please see here.

We'll kick of this Saturday with:

11am, Saturday March 4, 2021, online via Zoom

Celebrating Women Art Therapy Workshop.

Please bring a quote/a story of a woman who inspires you and we will share this in the group and then see what it inspires in our art. We will close with what you might take with you from the session to honour your own womanhood.

Stay well and safe!

Warm wishes,

Emilie

Season's Greetings ! And 2 Christmas Art Workshops

Good morning all and Season's Greetings from me and the Cocooning Christmas Kittens!!!

I hope everyone is doing well as we find Christmas in the depths of Winter! And this year of all years, I think we are appreciating the twinkling lights of Christmas!

This email will bring you poetry, yay!!! and an invitation to join me for two Christmas art workshops, ho ho ho!!!


Christmas Art Workshops
Sunday 13th and Sunday 20th December
10:30 - 12 noon on Zoom

Make some Christmas cards together, put up your tree with us, listen to Christmas music, and enjoy some Christmas creativity!

Please email me to let me know if you would like to attend!

And now the poetry .. one by Patrick Kavanagh and a beautiful one sent to me by a client..... both contain wisdom and reflections that to lighten our way these days!

Advent

We have tested and tasted too much, lover-
Through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder.
But here in the Advent-darkened room
Where the dry black bread and the sugarless tea
Of penance will charm back the luxury
Of a child's soul, we'll return to Doom
The knowledge we stole but could not use.

And the newness that was in every stale thing
When we looked at it as children: the spirit-shocking
Wonder in a black slanting Ulster hill
Or the prophetic astonishment in the tedious talking
Of an old fool will awake for us and bring
You and me to the yard gate to watch the whins
And the bog-holes, cart-tracks, old stables where Time begins.

O after Christmas we'll have no need to go searching
For the difference that sets an old phrase burning-
We'll hear it in the whispered argument of a churning
Or in the streets where the village boys are lurching.
And we'll hear it among decent men too
Who barrow dung in gardens under trees,
Wherever life pours ordinary plenty.

Won't we be rich, my love and I, and
God we shall not ask for reason's payment,
The why of heart-breaking strangeness in dreeping hedges
Nor analyse God's breath in common statement.
We have thrown into the dust-bin the clay-minted wages
Of pleasure, knowledge and the conscious hour-
And Christ comes with a January flower.

Lockdown Life

Life stopped. Tumbleweed rolled.
People retreated to their humble abodes.
Bird tweets on repeat saw nature reemerge; dusting off cobwebs that had shaken it's core.

Left idle in time, the days passed by.
No choice but to do the simple and kind.
Resilience and strength aided adjustment.
We reverted to the simplest of things, we essentially converted.

The mind amplified by a thousand thoughts,
the loudness of which became quietened with time...
I found my breath and heard my heart beat, and stood on the grass in my bare feet.
I truly have felt more than ever before because I stood and I listened rather than scorned.

I stopped. I made time for me.
It wasn't all an ease, but that in essence is true learning you see.
Anything worthwhile can be difficult to pursue, but once you reach the summit, it feels like true joy and brand new.

Life and society will always find ways to push.
You must realise and learn how to ssshhhh... the negativity, the ogres and the naysayers; just fire them on a collective bandwagon entitled the drainers!

Perspective is key.
You have a choice in what you wish to see, so choose the view that brings you comfort and peace.
Why suffer and be burdened just because...
Your life is yours, take and embrace what you've got.


Wishing you all a very happy, restorative and healthy Christmas Season!!

Warmest wishes,

Emilie

Gifts of the Lock-Down

ood evening all,

as we cautiously open up life again, I'm running the last free art therapy workshop this Sunday.  Last one for now that is. We've all had to adapt quickly and find new ways and i've been surprised and very pleased by how well these workshops worked online.  I will look at resuming again either online or in person In August /September.

For this Sunday's workshop I suggest to try to find and dwell on the positives from this lock-down experience.  Let's face it, for a variety of reasons for all of us, it has brought challenges, and as we know, it isn't over yet.... but just at this point in time, and for now, let's look for positives, the gifts it is bringing to take us through the summer.  True we may not particularly have chosen those gifts, or the timing of them ... but let's look for the positives. This is the inspiration for our art this Sunday.

Below is the zoom link.  Please let me know if you are coming so i hold our meeting open til you click in.

Warmest wishes on this warm day!

Emilie 

Online Therapy during Covid-19

Good evening all,

And so we adjust to a different way of life - for now.....

“Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible.” ― Viktor E. Frankl

Many of you will have heard from me on Friday about this but i thought it was best to send notification out to all clients.  I took the decision on Friday to move sessions to online.  Under current circumstances, I feel we are individually and collectively responsible to reduce our exposure and risk of infection.  This way we reduce and slow down the spread of Covid-19 in order to best protect ourselves, our loved ones and vulnerable people among us. 

If my moving the sessions online means one or two more people are not infected, over time, exponentially, that makes a big difference and maybe even saves a life.  And so, we make a difference. 

I'll review this change on March 29.  

This will be a slight adjustment for clients who have not used online therapy before but studies show it can be just as effective as in person therapy.  In my own experience, I use it regularly with oversees clients and it works very well.

Inline with in person confidentiality, I affirm that I am working in a private environment and the internet connection is safe and secure. For your comfort in the session, likewise, it is your responsibility to choose a place where you feel free to talk in confidence on a device that is safe, secure and with which you are comfortable. 

I also confirm that whether in person or online, I am working under the same code of ethics and practice and with regular supervision.  I am also working in accordance with the guidelines and criteria for online therapy as issued by the IACP.

Please contact me as you need and we will set up an appointment.

Oh some funnies !! Because they're good for immunity!"

Suddenly working or studying from home? Drink water, get sunlight and you’re basically a house plant with more complicated emotions.

“This is your pilot speaking. I’m working from home today”.

And, may you and yours continue to be safe and well!

Warmest wishes,

Emilie 

Happy International Women's Day

Good evening all,

I hope you had a happy International Women's Day today!  I hope you had a chance to give  yourself some self-acknowledgement for how you, as a woman, young woman or girl, contribute to the world and women's future.  And that you got to acknowledge the women in your life who inspire and support you. 

Women's equality, freedom and respect has come a long, long way in the last century.  We can be so grateful to the women who came before us and changed the world to be what it is today for us. Our best expression of gratitude is to continue that work in making a positive difference.

I have such admiration for all of you who travel this journey of self discovery with me and take responsibility for your mental and emotional health.  Never underestimate the power of doing just that.  In increased self understanding, we are freer to be ourselves, freer to be more confident, assertive, fully expressing who we are, accepting and respecting our bodies, aware of our strengths and weaknesses and all with a sense of humour!  When we accept and like ourselves, we also do better at accepting and getting along with other people as we do not feel in competition with them.  We can be grateful for their difference.  And as we learn to accept ourselves, we grow in compassion, which means we are more compassionate with others as our journey gives us insight into why they do "quirky" things!!

So, congratulations on being a reflective, thoughtful woman, young woman or young girl and making the world a better place!!  Keep it up!

I probably don't really need to say anymore do I?  Well, from the suggestion box, I'd suggest allocating a page in your journal to reflect on all the wormen in your life who inspire you... Maybe even look for some quotes. And, don't forget to look close to home ... there's probably a Mom or an aunt or a teacher close by who supports and inspired you.  And they may have more of a story than you know .. so do ask!

Here's Maya Angelou:

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Warmest wishes,

Emilie 

Season's Greetings and Happy New Year 2020

Hello all!

I hope you all had a happy and restful Christmas!  Hard to believe it's coming to a close as we move towards the New Year now!  It can be a slightly fuzzy, in-between, liminal time between Christmas and New Years .... and so, I thought I'd share this lovely poem I came across by Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill 

Winter Beachhead

This is the starkest hour of the shore

when it’s purged and cleansed as a Sabbath door.

There’s a brim of lather when the tide’s in

as the waves go on with their day’s washing. 

No valved or spiralled or saucered whelk,

no mussel or scallop quiets my walk;

but I make my count, as they cease from sight,

of a head of barnacle geese, a cell of eight. 

They sail in their glory; we have to bide our time

and hold out for the fullness to come—

for spring sands merry with foxes’ tails,

or kelp tresses, for clam and cowrie shells.

–from the Irish “Tráigh Gheimhridh” by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, translated by Medbh McGuckian, in The Water Horse (2000)

So, as we " bide our time and hold out for the fullness to come—" it's a really nice thing to do these days to reflect on the joys and highlights from 2019, moments and experiences when we were really touched - it can be an event, a kindness, nature ..etc.  It's also useful to acknowledge the low points and, using positive thinking, derive the learnings from them.  I'd recommend doing some writing or some art around this reflection and if you're attending sessions with me, you're welcome to bring it along to the next session.   

The early dark evenings also remind us that it's still a time of hibernation, of rest in order to re-charge and build energy for the year ahead.  

In case anyone wants to get a start on some concrete self care, actions and thinking, I'm attaching my CBT handout that clients find very simple and helpful and also my wellness tracker.  

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and inspiring 2020!!

Emilie

Ps.  You're receiving this e mail because you are or were a client of mine.  If you wish to no longer receive e mails, please simply let me know, and I'll take you off the list. 

Happy Summer! Music for your Brain!

HI all!

I hope you're all doing well.  Here's wishing you a happy Summer!   

Sometimes even when we finally get good weather it can bring up mixed emotions and we can feel under pressure that we should be happier, or more active or, or, or .....

It's always a good idea to go back to basics and make a list, along the theme of ... 

what do I enjoy?  

How do I like to spend my time ?  

Who do i enjoy spending my time with?  

Who do I rarely see that I can take time to see over the summer?  

What do I enjoy to do when it's not cold and rainy !?  

What would I like for today? 

What random act of kindness can i do? 

Would I like to take time to acknowledge the gift/fun/support someone else brings to my life?

Or, imagine it's September, the summer is past ... how would you wish you had spent your time?

Another back to basics idea is always to get out the gratitude and self credit or self acknowledgement notebook.  Or, the good things that happened today ...

Or, just take a break from it all and listen to some music

Most of us live the majority of our lives in a state of primarily beta brain waves – aroused, alert, concentrated, but also somewhat stressed. 

Music can help lower the brain wave frequency to alpha, the ideal condition to learn new information, perform more elaborate tasks, learn languages, analyse complex situations and be in flow. 

Part of this is because the slightly decreased electrical activity in the brain can lead to significant increases in feel-good brain chemicals like endorphins, norepinephrine and dopamine!

Here is some music I'd recommend 

Delta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njHvGxZgTPk&t=37s

Alpha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i52pWPcU-

And apparently this is the most relaxing music . Weightless  Personally i prefer the top link there ....though.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfcAVejslrU

Have fun building your own brainwaves music list!

See you soon!

Warm wishes,

Emilie 

Happy Easter

Good afternoon all!

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!  The Yellowest Time of the Year! 

Where ever you are, or whatever is going on your life and recovery, take some time these days to bring YELLOW and some bright Easter colours into your life.  Buy flowers, or the best things in life are free !, enjoy your own garden or park!  Surprise someone with some colourful brightness, flowers, some bright little doodah from Tiger ... or don't spend money, and instead spend time on yellow .. and make yourself or someone something, card, a painting .. etc wishing brightness.!

With all the yellow around, it's a good opportunity to let go of any thoughts or memories that feel dark, heavy or negative or behaviours.  We are sensitive to our surroundings so all the colour and brightness can really help us in choosing to think positive, bright, hopeful thoughts.  Sure, we may have ongoing problems .. but you know .. ruminating never solves anything .. inspiration does!  So, say YES to YELLOW .. and see what happens.

To help with that .. here's some yellow cuteness!

Hope is all around this time of year...... here's an Easter poem by Claude McKay

The Easter Flower

Far from this foreign Easter damp and chilly

My soul steals to a pear-shaped plot of ground,

Where gleamed the lilac-tinted Easter lily

Soft-scented in the air for yards around;

Alone, without a hint of guardian leaf!

Just like a fragile bell of silver rime,

It burst the tomb for freedom sweet and brief

In the young pregnant year at Eastertime;

And many thought it was a sacred sign,

And some called it the resurrection flower;

And I, a pagan, worshiped at its shrine,

Yielding my heart unto its perfumed power.

Bright yellow Easter wishes to you all,

Emilie 

Happy International Women's Day 2019

Hello all!

Happy International Women's Day!

On this day we are reminded of all women have achieved ...Take time to value your strengths and talents and just by being yourself, what energy, fun, warmth you contribute to the world!  Value your kindness as well!

And, if you feel a bit low or unsure any time ... today as we remember all the wonderful creative and courageous women throughout history, you can look to them for inspiration.  In fact, let's start an "Inspiring Women" thread ... e mail me a woman who inspires you and a little bit about them and I'll forward it on to the group.

When we read or learn about courageous and creative women ..... we don't always hear perhaps about the moments of doubt or fear.  But, everyone has them.  The important thing is to challenge the doubt and fear and not let it hold you back. 

So today also, we could check in with ourselves ... how could I be more free?  What kind of thoughts do I need to keep in mind to feel free and confident? Women are more free now than ever before in history and we are increasing our freedom all the time ... so check, how does my condition or negative thinking hold me back?  How does my condition or my negative thinking keep me small ?  Or stop me from speaking up?   Is there any way i'm mistreating my own body ? Or, how can I better treat my body to show it care and respect?

Take time to celebrate yourself today and celebrate the women around you who care for you and inspire you!

Warm wishes,

Emile 

New Year Message

Good evening all on New Year's Eve!

I hope you're al enjoying the festive season !  And getting some rest! These few days around Christmas that pass so quickly, are the ideal opportunity to cozy up, move a little slower and enjoy all the sights, sounds, smells and comfort of the season.  Once the year gets going .. it will get busy again .... school, study, work, commutes, commitments ... so do give yourself time to recharge and get some energy for all that the New Year will bring.

And, speaking of the New Year .. I was thinking of what I would wish you ... I wish you a bright and brilliant 2019.  And, I encourage you to take some time to think about your wishes or your hopes for 2019.  What do you hope and wish for in 2019? If you like to bring them to the next session, I'd love to go through them with you.

What I would wish for you ...?  More and more i become aware of what a gift to the planet and this life each of you are.  I feel privileged to work with each of you and to come to know a little about you and see you grow .. it's truly an honour... And from that I can see what a gift each of you are to the world and how the world so needs you.  You are kind ... and this world needs kind people, you are funny, and this world needs humour, you are creative and this world needs creative people, you are curious, you ask questions .. and now more than ever, the world needs people who question and are curious.... You overcome challenges and that makes you courageous .. and the world needs courageous people. You are thoughtful and the world needs thoughtful people.  You are sensitive .. and the world really really needs sensitive, courageous, thoughtful, kind, funny people!

So, my personal wish for you is that you value your uniqueness.  Your school, work, college, even your friends and family may not always validate your gifts and strengths, but they are no less for want of that validation.  Continue to express and be grateful for your gifts and talents.  Continue to develop them and learn.  And, never underestimate how, over time, as you grow, you make this world a better place.  You can make a difference.  As Maya Angelou says, .."astonish the mean world with your acts of kindness."  You are important, your ideas are important, your kindness is important, your courage is important.   Your most important work in this life is to be the most yourself you can be.And here's a poem by Marianne Williamson i think most of you are familiar with, working with me ! Our Deepest Fear:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light, not our darkness

That most frightens us. 

We ask ourselves

Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be? 

You are a child of God. 

Your playing small 

Does not serve the world. 

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking 

So that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, 

As children do. 

We were born to make manifest 

The glory of God that is within us. 

It's not just in some of us; 

It's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, 

We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. 

As we're liberated from our own fear, 

Our presence automatically liberates others.