[Impacts of Psychoanalytic Theory through the lens of Carl Jung]
[Understandings of the Expressive Therapies Continuum]
To be with the unknown, I feel, is to be with the ever-present mystery of life. I took this photo on a solo birthday trip to Sedona right after my first quarter at Southwestern. This is the Bell Rock Vortex. I feel that this image symbolizes the seemingly unclear path that I have journeyed through thus far, as I have moved through my own unconscious material. The air is foggy, filled with the smell of wet clay. Feelings of loneliness and inner connectedness arose from within me here. An experience of polarities that led me to a deeper felt sense of the unconscious realm that was rising from within me to be seen and heard.
“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” -Carl Jung
The drawing collage to the left, is an image depicting the first part of an art therapy process in which the class engaged in active imagination. Each member of the group was able to create for about a minute and then switch to the next piece. This process encourages a relationship between the image and its' creator(s) by stimulating an imaginative inquiry and dialogue. Below is the image of the active writing that ensued a dialogue with the image.
Each member of the group was given some time to continue the dialogue, or narrative, of the art piece that was created in the first part of this therapeutic process. By using automatic writing in order to engage in active imagination, this allows an opportunity for the unconscious to come forth. In a group setting, this is engaging the collective unconscious, thus creating a synergy between members of the group.
Narrative
Psychoanalytic theory based on Carl Jung's approach, explores the conscious, personal unconscious, and collective unconscious of an individual's psyche. The conscious psyche is represented by the persona, which is the mask or public face that people wear in order to protect their sense of identity or self. The ego is a part of our conscious self that acts as the gatekeeper between the unconscious and conscious realms, in order to discern what is deemed to be shared to the outer world. The self is the realm of the personal unconscious, which is constructed by complexes. These complexes encase repressed emotional themes that can fuse constant psychological disturbances or symptoms of neuroses. The collective unconscious is structured through archetypes, which are primordial images that come from prehistoric and unconscious development. These are themes that are stored within every person's unconscious, or shadow, and thus why Jung believed we are all connected in this way.
Jung believed that through active imagination, we are able to access these deep reservoirs of unconscious material, in order to bring this material into the conscious self to be seen, processed, and healed. The goal of this therapeutic approach is to integrate the realms of the psyche, in order to have harmony within the self and thus acclimate to individuation. The key here in the role as therapist is to be the witness of the client's art process and actively listen to what is coming forth. When engaging with an image, like the one's above, the therapist is present in the shared therapeutic space as the process evolves from creation to reflection. The art piece itself is seen as having a life of its own, while also being an extension of the person who created it. This allows the client to invite the image to speak, thus engaging in a dialogue. By allowing the art to speak through the client, it serves as a reflection of what material is ready to be worked with, healed, and begin the integration process.
It is important for the therapist to do their own shadow work, in order to continue the process of deepening self-awareness and healing for themselves. This allows the therapist to hold a safe and present space for the client to open up into as they feel ready. Bringing in the awareness that the client is their own healer, and the therapist is there holding the light to help illuminate and support their unfoldment in growth. This is the path of the wounded healer archetype; our inner work as therapists is never done, always evolving into deeper depths of the unknown.
The Expressive Therapies Continuum
The ETC is a multi-level lens that the therapist is able to utilize as a guide in order to assess where the client is currently and shift into a different level of creativity that would better support their needs. The ETC has seven components that are sectioned into four levels: Kinesthetic/Sensory, Perceptual/Affective, Cognitive/Symbolic, and Creative. There are art directives associated with each component and level, and at times these can overlap and weave into the other, depending on the needs and stage of awareness the client is within. Working through this continuum propels the client into a deeper understanding into their own inner landscape of emotions, sensations, feelings, and life experiences. It is with greater awareness that we are able to cultivate a deeper sense of presence, thus which can lead to a more fulfilling experience of life.
Kinesthetic Artifact/Narrative
Within the Kinesthetic component of the ETC, which is reflective of the stage of development that is nonverbal, the engagement of somatosensory processing acts a channel to tune in with the body and inner world. Connection with the body through pushing, pulling, smashing, rolling, and scratching can help to engage with material that is hidden within the psyche and allow it to come to the surface. By being out in nature and connecting with the open air, the earth, and the sun, this allows client’s the opportunity to attune to the natural rhythms of the earth, as well as the natural rhythms within themselves. This can be a nurturing space for client’s to tap in and be present with the state of the environment, as it changes and shifts during art making. Clients can use materials from the earth like sticks, stones, leaves, pinecones, or flowers to engage in releasing stuck energy or tension within their bodies. They can crunch the leaves, snap the sticks, and dig their hands into the dirt as a way to build a connection between their physical actions and their own internal rhythms.
Sensory Artifact/Narrative
The Sensory component of the ETC can be experienced in tandem with the Kinesthetic, as they are on the same level of the ETC and both engage in tactile motion, which can allow sensation to emerge. The internal and external sensations that are experienced by the client through interactions with the art media is the main focus of this component. This can be accessed through the means of visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile senses when the client engages with art materials and the therapeutic space. Tapping into their senses assists the client in mindful awareness that allows them to drop more into the present moment. . In working within the Sensory component, with clients who have experienced trauma, it is important for the therapist to incorporate sensational work slowly and within a safely held container.
In this art process, I decided to work with flour and water in order to create dough. Combining these materials in a bowl, I also added seasonings, which enlivened my sense of smell and olfactory glands. Listening to the sloshes of the water coming into the flour, feeling the stickiness of the mush between my fingers. It was when I began to roll our the dough and push my hands into its shape on the counter that I began to feel energy moving through my body. A tightness in my chest that was yearning to be released, as tears began to stream down my cheeks. In order to regulate myself, I brought my hands to my chest and focused solely on my breath. This is important to remember as a therapist when working with clients in this capacity. By curating a safe space with clients, this can help them to feel held if emotions come up from within, to the surface. Having a safe place established within the client for them to access, will aid them in not being overwhelmed with the emotion.
Perceptual Artifact/Narrative
The Perceptual component of the ETC emphasizes the use of form, shape, and line elementals to be a visual expression that is used as a means of allowing emotion to forth. This allows the client to configure a visual language in order to discern their internal landscapes, as the client may have difficulty explaining in words what they are feeling and experiencing. It is in focusing on lines that contribute to form, that clients are able to gain new perspectives on what is coming through their art making. Scribble drawing is a great way for clients to use a resistive tool such as pencils, markers, or paint brushes to express through mark making. Some of the line-making can become repetitive and patterns may emerge through the gestures that the client feels called to make. Taking a pause in this directive can allow the client and therapist to take a moment to gaze upon the scribble drawing and what forms are beginning to appear through the art, as this can provide new perspectives for the client to witness.
Affective Artifact/Narrative
The Affective component of the ETC surrounds the raw emotion that can come forth in the art making process. It is important for the client to have an appropriate container for the expressions that come through, so that safety and trust is furthered in the therapeutic process. Through this portion of the ETC, the client may be able to identify emotions that are coming forth, or they still may be forming their language around what feelings they are experiencing. As clients are able to differentiate their emotions and identify their feelings, this can help the client to cultivate more awareness of their inner world.
The mask making art directive serves to contain inner experiences and outer expressions, as clients can draw or paint on the surface of the mask in order to emote feelings that are coming through to be identified. Looking through the lens of the Affective component, the mask itself aids as a container to hold lines and forms that may emerge on its surface. It is important to also keep in mind the size of the container and what the client needs, in order to allow emotional processing to be expressed, but not to escalate to a place of disorientation. The exterior of the mask can be used as way for client’s to express parts of the self that are expressed to the outer world. Thus, the inside of the mask can be used for the aspects of the self that may feel more hidden, or that the client does not explore as much.
Cognitive Artifact/Narrative
The Cognitive component of the ETC comprises the client’s ability to formulate complex thought, planning, and processing of information outside of one’s own personal experiences, thus culminating the capacity to relate to other. Client’s utilizing cognitive skills are able to discern memories and keep track of occurrences. The life timeline art directive is reflective of the Cognitive component, in that the client is able to construct a timeline of impactful experiences within their lives. This directive can be used across multiple sessions, or revisited throughout the therapeutic process to reflect upon and check-in on how the client frames stories of past occurrences. The client can also continue to add to the timeline, in order to notice patterns throughout their lifetime that can provide insight as to the growth that is occurring and where more awareness can be invited in.
Symbolic Artifact/Narrative
The Symbolic component represents the client’s intuitive ability to connect within oneself, as well as contribute metaphoric representations of symbols that contain an emotional charge. As mystical thinking is the premise of this component, it is important that clients are about to produce logical thought as well. There is potential within this component for the client to expand their sense of self-knowledge beyond what is concretely known and connect to what may not be viscerally aware to the client’s conscious mind or ego.
The body tracing art directive is representative of the utilization of the Symbolic component and is a complex process, which should be taken into great consideration before being introduced to clients. It is advised that therapists try it out first themselves before asking clients to participate in this art making process, in order for greater awareness of the deep emotions that can spring forth. This vulnerable process can also be very fruitful for the client to gain insight into their relationship with their bodies, as well as grow within this connection. Clients would lie down and the outline of their body would be traced by the therapist, of course taking into consideration the safety and permission of the client in this process. Once the outline is drawn, the client may want to gaze upon and just be with their form before engaging in any mark making. When a sense of safety is known and felt for the client, they can engage in drawing, painting, or collaging material onto their form. Words, stories, and symbols may emerge and thus can propel the client into a deeper exploration for what comes through for them, taking into consideration the placement, sensorial content, and patterns that may emerge.
Creative Artifact/Narrative
This component is representative of the synthesis of all the other components, meaning the client is viewed as a whole person and whichever level they are working within or have fully assimilated, they are moving into a place where they are aware of their own needs and potential. It is through the divergent process of logical thought and creative flow, which are both necessary, that evolution of the client’s process is nurtured. In this space of self-actualization, clients have a desire to improve themselves and grow into potentialities they aspire to obtain.
The art directive that seems most representative of this portion of the ETC is the crystal ball directive, as it offers range for the client to express what they desire in their life and want to create in the future. It is a space for client’s to know where they currently are in there experiences, while dreaming into new experiences that will bring them greater fulfillment in life. In being acquainted with the various art materials available, the client is able to discern which tool they would like to manifest their artwork with. They are also able to communicate about the steps and plans they have in moving towards the forms, images, and symbols that are depicted in their art making.
Reflection
In studying Carl Jung's work over the span of many different classes, I have come to find that his illumination of the unknown within us all reflects our soul’s journey. When we are able to connect to this place within us that is silent, soft like a whisper, we come back home to who we truly are. Able to integrate the parts of self that we may deem as unworthy or unacceptable. When learning about his use of active imagination, I really resonated with this intentional space to explore what images, sounds, smells, or depictions may come forth from within. How fascinating our inner landscape truly is. I have a deep love affair with uncovering my inner wisdom and I feel that by using active imagination, it provides a way in which to allow the stream of consciousness to flow without the dam of the ego to hold it captive. Engaging in this space frees us up to feel, see, and witness that which we have repressed from the light of day. In acknowledging and feeling these parts of self, we invite in this loving witness to embrace what no longer need be captive in unconsciousness. We free ourselves to be truly who we are, all of it; shadow, light, truth, bitter, and supple. My hope as a therapist is to continue to do this work within myself, to keep journeying through my unknown, so that I may be able to hold a brighter light with my clients and serve in their highest good.
Walking through learning about the ETC has allowed me to see new ways to work with clients, by providing specific tools and techniques that will best suit their needs. It is a way for me to better tune into my clients and what creative practices would hold them where they are and gauge where their growing edge is as well. The levels tend to meld into the other as they are connected in how to assess what level of readiness the client is at with working with different materials. Do they need more resistive tools, or fluid movement? Are they in tune with their bodies, and how can I assist them in doing so? Is there an awareness of the emotional realm? Is this realm asking to be seen and felt? Is my client at a stage of readiness, in order to move through this space and come back into self-regulation? Which art process will allow them to be with themselves in a more authentic way? All of these questions come to mind, as a compass to direct me into the next space that will nurture the growth and inner work of my future clients. In my engagement with the Sensory component of the ETC, I found a deep release in my heart space. This enabled me to feel and sense what my body truly needed, which really allowed me to land in my experience.
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