Good Grief
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
1y ago
“The only cure for grief, is to grieve.” (Earl Grollman)     Making Space for Grief One of the places I work is a respite care center for medically fragile adults who are experiencing homelessness. The center provides living accommodations, food, case management, and a medical care team. Unlike the bustling larger homeless shelter that I begin my day at, this location has a quiet and subdued energy on most days. There are fewer clients and the art therapy group takes place during “quiet time.” Anyone who does not participate in group spends time napping or relaxing in their rooms. L ..read more
Visit website
How I Rise
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
    The theme of resilience is a common thread through many of my art therapy groups. Resilience is the ability to grow through hard times – to bend without breaking and to persevere against the odds. I love to see the spark in people’s eyes when they are able to identify personal resilience in the context of their struggles. It is easy to overlook our inner resilience even as we see it in those around us. However a key to developing resilience is acknowledging where is it already present. Focusing on resilience contributes to a growth mindset, which can lead us to embrace challenge ..read more
Visit website
Drawing Breath
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
  “If we live as we breathe, take in and let go, we cannot go wrong.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estes   I recently had was one of those days. To be specific, it was one of those pandemic life days. All day I felt on edge, listless, and frustrated. Every request from my children set my teeth on edge. I wanted to relax and yet I wanted to be productive. I was in the mode of comparing my behind the scenes life to everyone else’s highlights reel. No matter how hard I tried, I could not bring myself back to emotional center. Eventually I exhausted myself both physically and emotionally. After d ..read more
Visit website
No Mud, No Lotus
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
“No mud, no lotus.” – Thich Nhat Hanh This pen drawing of mine was inspired by the quote “No mud, no lotus” by the beloved Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. I have always been drawn to his teachings, and this quote in particular. I have transported his words into my therapy groups for years. Time and time again, I have witnessed a light in people’s eyes as we explore his teachings. I see the sudden understanding when my group members realize that the “mud” in their lives is not something to be ashamed of, but something to acknowledge and perhaps even appreciate. The mud symbolizes ..read more
Visit website
2021 Intentions
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” – Ellen Goodman   This morning on January 1st 2021, I opened my eyes and first observed the sunlight spilling into my bedroom. I wriggled my toes and fingers and stretched a little. I deliberately took a few deep breaths before transitioning out of bed. I mentally scanned the past year of 2020 – the challenging times mixed in with the beaut ..read more
Visit website
Art from the Heart
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
“If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” – Marc Chagall Each day for the past week I have been pulled towards my studio to create. Over the past few months my art practice has been sporadic but present nonetheless. As the weeks and months stretch on during this pandemic, art is my reliable sidekick. When my heart has wanted to close up and retreat, art gently knocks and seems to say “stay open for me.”  My Studio My studio is a light filled space in a converted attic in our home. I feel profoundly grateful to have this space to make art. Ho ..read more
Visit website
Simple Self-Care Mandalas
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” (Shunryo Suzuki) Yesterday my husband brought home a beautiful African Spear plant. I was delighted and surprised since I’m usually the one bringing home plants. When I asked about his inspiration for the plant, he proudly showed me the attached care tag and said “it says it’s an easy care plant.” The tag showed that the plant really didn’t need much in the way of water or light – reassuring us that the plant would happily exist with the most basic of care. A little sun and an occasional watering and this ..read more
Visit website
R.A.I.N. for Difficult Emotions
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
“There is something wonderfully bold and liberating about saying yes to our entire imperfect and messy life.” (Tara Brach) During these times it is very tempting to turn away from painful emotions. We are constantly inundated with stressors on a personal and global level. As tempting as it is to self-medicate or constantly distract ourselves, this unique time is asking us to wake up. To stay with the full breadth of this human experience and also to show up emotionally for one another. You might be thinking, that sounds both wonderful and crucial. But how do we do this? We need skills in orde ..read more
Visit website
Stay With Yourself
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
“Formation” -acrylic on canvas- Sara Roizen   As the days stretch on during this pandemic, it is clear that most of us are now running on fumes – feeling emotionally and physically depleted. We are swamped by an accumulation of stressors. Navigating through a nebulous cloud of uncertainty. In response, perhaps you have felt increasingly numbed out. Seeking distractions from inner and outer turmoil. Scrolling endlessly on your phone in an attempt to connect with someone or something. Feeling somewhat hopeless in the face of all of the political, environmental, and societal upheaval. Here’s ..read more
Visit website
When Words Fail During a Pandemic
Art Therapy Spot
by Sara Roizen
3y ago
“Listen to silence. It has much to say.” (Rumi) I’ve attempted to write numerous times since this pandemic began. Each time I sat down at the computer, my hands stilled. I grasped for a thread to weave into a narrative. I could share anecdotes, therapeutic techniques, art explorations to try, or ways to cognitively reframe this crazy time we are living through. I yearned to provide comfort, wisdom, or just plain empathy. My heart broke repeatedly as I watched the news: COVID, an economy in turmoil, systemic racism finally illuminated, and a broken political system. I felt that as a therapist ..read more
Visit website

Follow Art Therapy Spot on FeedSpot

Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
OR