Requirements

• Age Requirement: Participants must be at least 18 years old. This course delves into personal emotional experiences related to grief
• necessitating a level of emotional maturity that is generally associated with adulthood.
• Willingness to Engage: An open mindset is crucial for participants. You will be encouraged to explore and express your emotions through artistic practices
• which requires vulnerability and the willingness to engage in deep personal reflection. This engagement is primarily in the Q/A
• Support System: Having a support system
• such as friends
• family
• or a therapist
• is recommended. This network will be crucial for discussing and processing any emotions that may surface during the course. It’s great to share in the Q/A and discuss but you may need people close to you
• who know you.
• “Self-Awareness: It is important for participants to have a fundamental understanding of their own grief and emotional state before beginning the course. The activities may evoke strong emotions and memories
• and being aware of ones own mental health is vital. Just as you will not be judging others
• so others will not be judging you.”
• Course Duration: To think that it takes (for example) 12 minutes to watch a lecture
• is the wrong approach. You need to watch
• fully focused and then reflect. Then carry out the exercise. Then share. Budget time for this.
• Art Supplies Needed: Participants are required to procure basic art supplies
• which include: •tSketchbook or drawing paper •tPencils and erasers •tColoured pencils
• markers
• or watercolour paints •tOptional: Acrylic or oil paints •tBrushes and palette (if using paints) •tScissors
• glue
• and collage materials such as magazines and printed images •tAlso a room where you will not be disturbed •tA mindset open to ideas and exploration

Description

This course Art Therapy, Grief and Healing is to enable you to learn how Art Therapy can be used to help yourself – and to help others – cope with grief and thus aid the healing process.

The course is divided into four main sections:

1. Overall Introduction

2. Knowing what to expect

3. Helping others grieve

4. Talking about death, grief but DOING Art

This is very much a ‘doing’ course. The lectures have many art therapy exercises in them – you are encouraged to do them in order to help yourself. You are also encouraged to share them in the Q/A so others may see the product – but not the process. By sharing, by discussion, there will be a further lessening of grief. You will also be able to see the work of others.

In the ‘cartoon’ section BOTH Instructors create work in response to the art therapy exercise. Again, it is all about process, process, process.

In addition there are CASE STUDIES.

These Case Studies (usually based in the office of an Art Therapist) have the following distinctive features:

• An art therapy exercise is often included

• Reflective questions are included

• Questions for discussion are included

• Ideally, students will do the Case Studies and then post their answers in the Q/A. In that way you’ll be doing, discussing and reflecting on Art Therapy.

Topics covered:

Topics

• How to deal with Grief of a loved one, assuming no artistic strengths.

• How to use art in a therapeutic way to deal with grief after a divorce

• How through the use of art, the impact of grief is less

• The phases of grief and their emotional and physical effects. The significance of using creative expression to cope with grief.

• Creating a culminating artwork that encapsulates your experiences of grief and healing. Discussing your growth and insights.

• Using art to envision personal growth and recovery post-loss. Guided activity: Crafting artwork that represents transformation.

• Crafting artworks that promote self-care and self-love. Guided activity: Creating a self-compassion mandala

• The role of artistic expression in navigating complex feelings. How art activities influence the brain.

• Overview and origins of art therapy. The reasons behind art therapy’s success in managing grief and promoting emotional recovery.

• Essential materials needed for this course and how to create a therapeutic environment.

• Merging visual arts with written reflections. Guided activity: Compiling an emotional visual journal.

• Advantages of engaging in group art therapy sessions. Strategies for building a supportive network for your healing journey.

• Reflecting on your artistic process and emotional development. Guided activity: Assembling a visual timeline of your grief

• Reflecting on your artistic process and emotional development. Guided activity: Assembling a visual timeline of your grief

• Introduction to fundamental art therapy techniques such as drawing, painting, and collage-making, with exercises to foster comfort with artistic expression

• Continuing to leverage art as a mechanism for enduring emotional health. Suggestions for further engaging with art therapy.

• Employing colours, shapes, and symbols to depict grief. Guided activity: Sketching your grief experience.

• Paying tribute to a loved one through personalized artwork. Guided activity: Producing a collage or portrait to honour their memory.

• Integrating art into everyday life for sustained healing. Strategies for keeping up with creative practices even on challenging days.

So who exactly is this course for?

1. Perhaps you are thinking of (or already are) a bereavement counsellor. Using the lectures here – applying the techniques – will only enhance your skills, what others can gain from your time.

2. Perhaps you are going through grief yourself? You need time to heal – but also a structure. There are many hours of lectures here. Plus Educational Announcements. Plus an active Q/A. Use this course to learn, to discuss, to share or just to listen.

3. Maybe you are supporting a loved one and you need activities’ for you both to do. There are plenty here!

This course includes:

1. Artwork nowhere else – not even on the internet

2. Current events

3. Regular Educational Announcements

4. A supportive Q/A

Who this course is for:

• All who are interested in lessening the impact of grief
• All who wish to learn techniques to help others through grief
• All who are willing to explore and learn about themselves – and others
• All who are going through grief right now
• Students learning Psychology
• Counselling
• Psychotherapy and wish to know more
• Professionals/Counsellors – all working in caring or mental health environments