Showing posts with label Appalachian Play Therapy Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appalachian Play Therapy Center. Show all posts

Friday, February 3, 2012

Doing the Important Work of Self-Care

on my way to play academic at the library
all photos in this post taken with iPhone
I really must get out the dSLR
An update.

I’m still here.  Making important life changes.  It’s like going to the dentist.  You dread it but afterwards you are so glad you did, and if you put it off you wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.  So much of these changes truly fall under self-care.  Like the commercial… 'cause I’m worth it.

This would also fall under practice what you preach/teach.  I’ve been teaching one or two sections of 30+ students in undergraduate Lifespan Development for the last 12 years.  For each stage of the lifespan the students learn about what to expect for that age physically, cognitively, and socioemotionally.  So here’s where this early middle age person is lately.
From Lori Portka's 2012 calendar

the wish for January
 
Physically—I get up each morning and walk quickly on the treadmill while watching something I’ve recorded on the DVR.  It’s usually the Colbert Report or The Daily Show so I’m also literally LOL.  Trying to eat better.   Less bread, sugar, etc.  More veggies and fruit.  You know the drill.  Smaller portions.  Eating less.  Not stuffing myself.  Have tried to change my work schedule so I can attend yoga and pilates classes at least twice a week.  My wish: to be strong and healty.  And if I lose several pounds, that'll be nice too.

Cognitively—I’ve been educating myself more and more about politics and our political system.  It seems quite depressing at times and I have fantasies of being some kind of activist and changing the world.  I’ve been watching Bill Moyers new show on PBS and recommend Tavis Smiley’s Poverty in America special.  My wish: never stop learning.
above the bar at the local joint
Socioemotionally—Hubby and I are trying to spend more time with one another and with friends.  Kids, responsibilities, and life can get in the way if you let them.  So this is an example of play for me.  Going to a movie (we saw The Artist) or hanging at a local place listening to live music.  Having long conversations with friends.  My wish: meaningful connections.
play related journals via Instagram
Play therapy career—Wrote another Mining Report for APT--I "mine" for play therapist intelligence and summarize it for other play therapists.  Was asked to apply to be on the ballot for the Board of Directors of APT.  Submitted 2 proposals to present at the next APT conference and was included on a third.  I enjoy presenting at conferences.  My wish: isn't it obvious? 

Work—planning my play therapy center’s 4th conference, supervising graduate students, teaching, attending committee meetings, seeing clients, and on and on.  Not much new here.

Spiritually--I try to follow #spiritchat on Twitter on Sunday mornings.  Virtual connections with people from all over the U.S. and the world.  They make me think and inspire me.  Some will even send me tweets throughout the week.  It's nice to know someone's thinking of you.

Here's hoping you're doing the important work of self-care.  And if you're not, what's stopping you?






Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Woo hoo! I'm on Creative Living with Jamie


I'm so flattered that little ole me was asked to be on Jamie Ridler's Creative Living with Jamie podcast which airs today.  She actually asked me via a message on twitter (isn't that cool?!) that I received on the last day of the APT conference when I was on a play therapy high.  The actual interview occurred a few weeks ago.  I've been a bit nervous to see how it turned out as honestly I wasn't still on my high.  In fact, I was deep in the busiest time of the semester.  So apropos since my main message in the interview is, of course, the importance of play in our lives.

I've enjoyed listening to this podcast for well over a year now every Tuesday morning on my way to work.  One of my favorite parts is the very beginning when Jamie shares a bit of inspiration.  Another favorite part is when she asks the interviewee, "how do you invite your creativity out to play?"  She's had on some of my favorite creative people.  I can't believe I'm in this group. 



So I am Creative.  I am a Creative!

Please take a listen and let me know what you think!

And a special welcome to any Jamie Ridler listeners!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

A Special Story of the Girl Effect

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Lombeh (l) at the June 2011 Appalachian Play Therapy Center conference
Lombeh Brown will be graduating in December from Lindsey Wilson College with her master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development.  I have known Lombeh since her sophomore year at Lindsey when I became her academic advisor and taught one of her classes.  In December of 2009, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Counseling.  Lombeh is from Liberia.  This is her story.

In the Liberian culture, more specifically the Via ethnic group, women are not given the opportunity to be educated as men.  It is the cultural expectation of this ethnic group that once a girl reaches puberty she is to be initiated into the Sande society. The Sande society is an association found for the sole purpose of teaching girls how to become effective housewives.  During the initiation process, female circumcision takes place in order to preserve the girls for their future husbands.  Luckily for Lombeh, her parents did not believe in those views although her mother had been initiated into the society.  They taught her and her two younger brothers the importance of achieving an education.  Even though she and her siblings grew up in a civil war torn country, it “did not give us the excuse not to pursue our dreams,” she says.

Lombeh was raised by Christian parents.  Her father has some college education and her mother, now deceased, had a high school education.  Her mother was taught by freed American slaves who returned to their homeland of Liberia.  Her father was taught by a woman named Margery Henderson who was on a church mission at the time.

During the civil war, Lombeh and her family left their home and traveled from village to village on foot.  They had very little food and no safe drinking water.  Because they were on the run they only carried salt and rice with them.  They slept in the woods, sometimes in simple huts.  Lombeh’s mother died while Lombeh was in her teens from illness that was compounded by the stress of the civil war and malnutrition.

Lombeh explained that schools run by the government were poor.  The teachers were not paid and it was not uncommon to have 200 students in a classroom.  If you did not arrive early enough, you had to stand because there were not enough places to sit.  Schools run by missionaries were better.

In 2004, Lombeh’s father contacted Margery Henderson, the woman who had taught him thirty years earlier, to see if she could help find a way for his daughter to go to college in the United States.  Mrs. Henderson is friends with Ms. Sue Stivers, a Trustee board member of Lindsey Wilson College.  Together they found a way to make it happen.  Years later Lombeh’s brother Burgess was also able to join her in college.  This current fall semester he is interning in Washington, DC in the office of Congressman Whitfield from Kentucky.  He hopes to attend law school someday.

Lombeh has served as a graduate assistant since January 2010.  She has helped me plan and execute two play therapy conferences for the Appalachian Play Therapy Center.  I have served as her clinical supervisor.  It has been such an honor to witness her growth and development over the years.  She used to be a shy, quiet young woman.  Now she is so much stronger and self-confident.  She has very good counseling skills.  She has a big heart.

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Lombeh before her undergraduate commencement.
She does not have immediate plans to return to Liberia but she mostly likely will someday.  She would like to stay in the United States and complete her clinical hours for licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.  I can see her working for the Peace Corps or UNICEF.  Whatever she decides to do she will be successful.  Education has changed her life and she will go on to change others’ lives.  She is quite an inspiration!

Lombeh’s story is exactly what The Girl Effect endeavors to do in developing countries.

To read more about their story click here.
To order a book about Margery and Lombeh’s story click here.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Scenes from a Play Therapy Conference 2

Day 2 of the 3rd annual Appalachian Play Therapy Center conference with Dr. Terry Kottman. 
Topic: Preventing Play Therapy Burnout: Techniques for Self-Understanding and Self-Nurturing 

Such an important topic--really for anyone but especially for therapists who are biggers big givers to begin with.

We experienced much large and small group work, sharing and learning from one another.



We played games.  A fun way to experience some significant learnings.


I loved seeing the smiles on everyone's faces.  Adults, in general, don't play enough.  And, play therapists can get very busy and forget to practice what we already believe very deeply.  We must strive to ensure our values are aligned with our behavior in order to prevent burnout.

One of my favorite scenes of the day was this one.
This young woman danced her way down the line.  She seemed so free, so happy, so bad-ass (pardon the language but it really fits here). 

You don't have to be a play therapist or go to a conference to experience such a moment.
My hope for you is that you give yourself permission to play freely in whatever way you prefer.

Monday, June 13, 2011

THE 100th Post (devoted to a special artist in my life)

Cori's palette from the play therapy conference
It's only fitting that I devote my 100th blogpost to my sister--someone who has been a big influence on my playful, creative life.  She is one of the most creative and talented people I know.  Here's her bio:

Cori Berg is the founder of Sacred Arts Studio and specializes in art for hope and healing. After receiving her Master's Degree in Art and Theology and continuing her studies at the Graduate Theological Union of University of California at Berkeley, she turned to the field of education where she worked as an early childhood teacher, elementary art teacher and early childhood director. Cori now works with organizations in the Dallas, TX area, providing live interactive art experiences for children and adults to explore creativity and life process themes. As a painter, fiber artist, and writer, her work can be followed here.

When she came to visit me in KY in August 2009, she created this lovely piece as a gift for me.  It looks very cool in my dining room against a wall painted soft rabbit brown that looks purple in the evening.  (She very well knows that purple is my favorite color.)

I invited her to be an exhibitor at the recent play therapy conference which was especially good since the bookseller didn't come.  I'm very pleased that she had such a wonderful response to her work.  Here are photos of her display.

While Terry Kottman spoke on the first day, Cori painted.  She told me that the colors reminded her of Terry, and I agree.

Here's the finished product which she allowed me to use as a giveaway.
Here's what she said about it: life can be chaotic at times but by connecting to another person you can build webs of safety that allow you to see beauty in the world.

Somone commissioned this sweet little piece which she finished at the conference as well.
 ~~~Hope her artwork brings some joy into your life as it does in mine.~~~

Friday, June 10, 2011

Scenes from a Play Therapy Conference

The third annual Appalachian Play Therapy Center conference was June 8 and 9 on the main (Columbia) campus of Lindsey Wilson College.  I am taking a much needed rest but wanted to share some scenes from the conference.

Dr. Terry Kottman, founder of Adlerian play therapy (and a fellow graduate of the University of North Texas) was the speaker for the full two day event.  I just love this woman.
DSC_7888
photo by Travis Smith
When I picked her up at the airport she had a huge suitcase full of toys.
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Play therapists do introductions using toys,
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and we play, learn, and practice our craft with toys.
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Puppets seem to be a favorite with adults I've noticed.
(I think that could be a blogpost in and of itself.)
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I love that play therapists aren't afraid to decorate their nametags.
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More to come!

Happy weekend everybody!



Friday, April 8, 2011

Art Journaling and Self-Care

Meredith gets in on the painting action
Spring break for the kids this week but hubby and I still had to work.  They did come along with us early in the week for the KMHCA conference where I presented on self-care.  This meant they had the chance to swim in the hotel pool.  I remember how much fun it was to spend the night in a hotel as a kid.  My parents used to do this with my sister and I as a way to combat the cold Iowa winters.  As part of the conference, the Appalachian Play Therapy Center sponsored a Stress-Free Zone.  I brought along all sorts of art supplies, simple games, blocks and there was even line dancing.  My kids definitely enjoyed hanging out here and were so proud to be given their very own name tags.  I found myself painting a beach scene out of watercolors.  Perhaps I am really needing a break.  Hearing about others I know who've gone to Florida isn't helping but I'm happy for them.


Here are my art journals I have done over the span of a couple of weeks based on a workshop for wishBIGecamp by Shannon Kinney-Duh.  I incorporated a focus on self-care.


Of course, I think a great way to engage in self-care is through PLAY!


Here are a couple of the first ones I did.  I was going to have the first one say Be Like a Child but I ran out of letters.  Maybe that's a good thing.


This last one I really had no idea what I wanted to do with my painted background.  Just felt like incorporating the shapes which then reminded me of my son, the solar system lover.

Art journaling is another method of self-care.  One key to art journaling is to just let go, play around, and have fun.  Try not to have expectations.  Can be quite hard to not listen to those voices, the Inner Critic as Kate Swoboda calls it, but if you allow yourself it can be quite fun.  I think I can do okay with letting go of my Inner Critic as long as I say I'm playing.  But if I say I'm making art, then I can hear them louder.  And putting my art on my blog is even harder, because I'm making myself vulnerable especially to what others might think of me.  BUT SO WHAT!

Friday, March 25, 2011

March Madness--and I'm not talking basketball

March is flying by.  I feel so behind I think I'm ahead.

Play therapy conferencing, class preparing, teaching, grading, supervising, and meeting(s).
Doing laundry, dishes, yardwork, grocery shopping, bill paying, cleaning out the garage, picking up the house (so the house keepers can clean!).
Attending church, doing two children's moments (sermons).
Some TV watching, blog reading, very little blog writing, twittering, facebooking.
Planning and hosting my son's birthday party.
Full moon staring, picture taking, some journaling, ecourseing, yogaing, and a bit of leisure reading.
Eating, sleeping, personal hygiening and all the driving back and forth.
Hugging, laughing and connecting.

I'm getting overwhelmed just thinking about it all.  Even good things can wear you out.

A vision card I made as part of the wishBIG ecamp in a workshop by Jamie Ridler

MUST PLAY.  MUST RECHARGE.
MUST HIT 'REFRESH.'
The work will have to wait.  I'll get it all done.  I always do.
Besides, I've got celebrating to do:

Miles opens a couple of cards.  We can't seem to get glasses that will stay on his face.
Happy birthday to my big little boy
who keeps me on my toes.
I love you so very much.
Born on a Good Friday 6 years ago today. 
A good Friday indeed!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

About The Appalachian Play Therapy Center


Please stand by for a promotional message:

The mission of the Appalachian Play Therapy Center (APTC) at Lindsey Wilson College is to foster the mental health and development of children and families, especially those in the Appalachian region of the United States, through the processes of play and play therapy. To satisfy this goal, APTC provides play therapy services, offers play therapy training and supervision to students in School of Professional Counseling and mental health professionals, advances play therapy research, and promotes play and play therapy in the community.

LWC President William T. Luckey Jr., left, and
School of Professional Counseling Dean John Rigney join
Associate Professor of Counseling and Director of the Appalachian Play Therapy Center
Jodi Crane in March 2010
We are only one of 13 Approved Centers of Play Therapy Education through the Association for Play Therapy.  This has been a dream of mine for quite awhile to have this center based on that of my mentor, Dr. Garry Landreth, and founder of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas in Denton.

Today I worked on our third annual play therapy conference.  (You can download a brochure at our webpage.)  I also developed a fan page on facebook and an account on twitter.

Here's an article about our second conference and another one about our first conference.  For photos from the second conference click here.

That's enough links for one post.

I am amazed at myself as I am starting to get this whole social networking/promoting thing.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Welcome

new wreath I made for the holidays


How do you welcome people?  How do you make people feel welcome?



taken with iphone

The above photo is of this poster that hangs outside the play therapy room at the Appalachian Play Therapy Center at Lindsey Wilson College.  It is hung low at the child's level.

Sure, at holiday time we do lots to welcome people into our homes: special invitations, decorations, and food.  But what about the everyday kind of day?  A smile, a warm hello, a personalized greeting to show you care.  My shy, reserved self sometimes just wants to go hide away from people and read a novel; yet, it's those genuinely thoughtful, welcoming people to whom I feel attracted rather than repelled even on days when I'd rather be left alone.

As a play therapist, I pay particular attention to how I welcome new child clients.  I am a stranger to them.  I am careful about entering their physical space.  I bend down to their level, smile, say "hi," and tell them my name.  I am unhurried and patient, waiting for the child to warm up to me.

The playroom itself is so welcoming with its colorful toys and materials at the child's level.  How could a child not want to enter this room and experience this special time with me?  I am all too aware that it is a privilege to spend time with the child in this way.

How do you welcome others through the physical environment, your body language, and your words?
How will you welcome others this holiday season?