for more information about me...go to http://www.GoodTherapy.org

Art Therapy

People often ask: what is Art Therapy? Artists will tell you that art is therapeutic. It can make someone forget their pain or help get more deeply in touch with their feelings. It can even help people identify and find answers to their problems. An art therapist guides the artist in the wittnessing and processing of their artwork in order to receive guidance from their source. The act of drawing on paper is like the act of drawing water up from a well in that when someone draws they are drawing up from life, soul, spirit, inner wisdom. The artist draws up from the depths and contains what is brought forth in the art medium. The art then becomes a container for the emotions, problems and solutions, thoughts and feelings of the artist. In 'being with' and wittnessing the art/container, the artist sees the issues from another perspective, i.e. from outside looking in rather than from the inside looking in. This added perspective can facilitate therapy by quantum leaps.

What art therapy can do for you

Albert Einstein once said:
“Imagination is more important than knowledge”

…But has your imagination ever:

Run away with you
Gotten you in trouble
Made you crazy
Gotten the better of you
Run wild???

ART THERAPY
Can help you
Tame
Focus
And use the
Knowledge of Your imagination to:

Get back to yourself
Ease your troubles
Regain your clarity
Be the better you
Run Wild and feel good about yourself


Call a registered art therapist (ATR) today to find out

what else
Art Therapy
Can do for you



This message was brought to you by: Jacqueline S. Van Den Bovenkamp, MA, LPC, ATR (registered Art therapist) confidential voice mail/pone: 303-641-2718 and on the web
Counselingthruart.blogspot.org or goodtherapy.org Boulder, 80304

Art Therapy for persons with Alzheimer's

This weekend I was talking with some people about my work. It was suggested that I look into doing Art Therapy with persons in varrious stages of Alzeheimer's disease. Art is a great means of communication and story telling. There is a great need to keep feeling connected and communciating for humans. A great need to review memories and explore individual imagery to maintain a sense of self. If anyone reads this who knows anyone that might be helped in this way, contact me at 303-641-2718. You can learn more about me on the web site goodtherapy.oprg
Thanks
Jacqueline S. Van Den Bovenkamp

Delphinario response

They are a state run business and have all their hires. I hope to be able to find people who would like to experience Dolphin Assisted Therapy and take them to San Carlos for the treatment and do an Art Therapy Retreat, maybe hook up with Plaza San Carlos for special rates. What do people think of that?

Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Last winter in San Carlos I was able to work with Collego Americano as a mentor in English with the Quest Program and helped out with Castaway Kids. I love helping people.

When we visited Puerto Vallarta March 2007 I had worked with Macy Jozsef at Dolphin Adventures doing art with clients after their last session of dolphin assisted therapy. Art is a great medium to re-inforce the experience of being with the dolphins, it internalizes it while at the same time externalizing it and creating something that can hold the memory for years to come. Since I have moved to San Carlos I would very much like to do this kind of work with Delphinario. I have a Masters in Transpersonal Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy. What I do not have is a Lucritiva ademdum on my FM3. For this, I need a sponser/employer. I am writing this to ask if it is possible for Delphinario to hire me (even if it is on an on-call basis) to work with Dolphin Assisted Therapy clients. I had written a few weeks ago, stating that I would work with North Americans (Native English speakers) because my command of the Spanish language is not fluent (and I don't want to take a job away from a Mexican). Art can bridge some of that gap and I plan to join Spanish conversation groups tis year so I want to let you know I am willing to work with all people. I have some knowledge of French (I was fluent inthe 80's) and American Sign Language for the Deaf. I look forward to hearing from you.Thanks for your timeJackie Van Den Bovenkamp

Art Therapy Groups for Teens

I am a therapist in private practice. For several years I have had in mind to offer high school (or even middle school) students anywhere from 5-8-10 weeks of Group Art Therapy to enhance:

a) coping and stress reduction skills,
b)for self-exploration and
c) to define and develop a vision (of self) for the future.
d)I have also been considering 'art for social justice' as an alternative for graffiti.

This year with the talk of recession in America, it seems to me even more important than in years past to help both youth and adults to develop coping skills and a vision for the future.
So, I have contacted your office to see if it is possible to get the word out to folks who might benefit from this type of group. Last year I spent the summer looking for grant money to set this up as a free service, but with no luck. This year my hope is to be able to get enough interested people to make the cost very low.

Open Studio Boulder

I would like to offer an Open Art Studio for Therapists, Doctors and other staff of MHC to have the chance to ‘heal themselves’ or to do some self and/or peer-supervision thru Art Therapy at an Open Studio. I, along with other therapists, have found it beneficial to make art in response to our clients and in response to ourselves in relation to clients (working on transference and counter-transference issues or just working out frustrations or seeking insight), or in reducing the stress of job related issues such as ‘taking the job home.’ So, I am offering an Open Studio at my office on Mondays from 5-8 (starting June 2). It may turn out to be longer (or become a Saturday thing) if there is interest. The suggested donation is $5-10!
My office is 5378 Sterling Drive #2.
Take Valmont Rd two stoplights east of Foothills Pkwy and turn Right on Sterling DRIVE (just before the Valmont Post Office). The Studio is about a block down on the left, parking along the side or on the street.

Thanks,
Jacqueline S. Van Den Bovenkamp
The Art Council: Counseling Thru Art
303-641-2718

This is an excerpt from my Client Rights/Therapist Disclosure form:
My goal is short term therapy with long term results.

I have trained in therapy since 1993. I hold a Certificate in Art Therapy from The New School of Social Research in NYC as well as a BA Degree in Psychology with a focus on Art therapy from New Jersey City University in Jersey City NJ and a MA in Transpersonal Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder CO. I have worked with cancer patients both in and out-patient for 3 years, with high school age at-risk students for 2 years and with persons coping with severe and persistent mental illness (through the Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties) for 5 years.

My theoretical approach is primarily Transpersonal Art Therapy. Additionally, sessions may include CBT, solution focused, psychodynamic, humanistic/Adlerian, existential, system/family, developmental and psycho-educational approaches. My goal as a therapist is to help people relate to their own inner guide using the art making experience as a base. What is created with the materials is set in motion to act as a subconscious guide. The art may ask or answer questions as it helps the client explore and understand the issues that surface in the creation of the client’s own life/art. It is not necessary to have ‘talent’ or skill as an artist, only to be open to expressing yourself through the creative process. Psychotherapy requires your very active involvement, honesty, and openness in order to change your thoughts, feelings and/or behavior. I may challenge some of your assumptions or perceptions or propose different ways of looking at, thinking about, or handling situations which can cause you to feel very upset, angry, depressed or disappointed. Attempting to resolve issues that brought you to therapy in the first place can result in you experiencing considerable discomfort or strong feelings.

OPEN YOUR MIND TO THE BIG MIND

The creation of art comes through the body from the inner source's connection to the big mind.