Expressive Therapist
  • Home
  • About
  • Video Sessions
  • Supervision
  • Group Activities
  • Blog
  • Contact

Nature and the Human Soul

12/9/2011

0 Comments

 
One of the inspirations for my work is the book, Nature and the Human Soul by Bill Plotkin.  In his book, he describes stages of healthy "soulcentric" development in which humans become psychologically mature.  He contends that most adults in contemporary Western culture do not actually mature into true adulthood.  This is due to the lack of support in our society to enter a "cocoon" phase of development in which we encounter deep mysteries of nature and the soul.  He suggests that most people hear a call to this adventure, but they are not able to answer the call. 

In my work with teens, it is interesting for me to look through this lens when trying to understand the various problems in their lives.  It is truly a sad state of affairs when young people feel the surge of power and heat in their bodies that comes alive during adolescence, but have so little guidance of how to honor and direct the energy.  I created one very simple group activity to provide my clients with a quick glimpse at a model of the transition from childhood to adulthood, represented by the stages of metamorphasis of a butterfly (Number 25, "Butterfly Initiation).  But in spite of any failures on the part of our society to provide any healthy initiation rites for our youth, it is remarkable how the youth continue to thrive and provide a raging challenge to the status quo through music, dress, and insights that can only occur in that liminal stage when you have no allegiances to propriety. 
0 Comments

A Journey into the Wild

12/7/2011

1 Comment

 
Creative expression is like a journey into a wilderness of sorts.  I have been very blessed to share some very precious and powerful moments with clients who attend my groups at the New Horizons Children's Crisis and Stabilization Unit in Fort Pierce, Florida.  I would like to share some of my personal expeditions into the wild that I have experienced through facilitating groups with children and teens in crisis.  Thanks for joining me.   
1 Comment

    Gloria Mahin

    Expressive arts therapist in northern West Virginia. 

    Archives

    January 2022
    August 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    January 2018
    May 2017
    January 2017
    June 2016
    December 2015
    June 2015
    October 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    December 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.