Establishing The Sense Of Safety For Clients Through The Creative Arts American Counseling Association Asia-Pacific Counseling Conference (Singapore 2015)

Starter Questions Answer any of the following questions by describing HOW YOU FELT and WHAT YOU DID Describe a situation where: a)You felt frightened and out of control b)You knew you were doing something wrong and did it anyway c)You witnessed or overhead something that disturbed you but you did not understand and could not talk about

Defining Safety What is Safety? Webster’s: The state or condition of feeling free from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger or loss What is Therapeutic Safety? The state or condition of an individual feeling free from the occurrence or risk of injury, danger or loss by the counsellor within a therapy session

The Client in Counselling It is not easy for people to come to counselling Client Resistance to Counselling – Shame – Fear and Insecurity – Embarassment – Failure – Bias and Assumptions of Counselling

Role of the Counsellor Counselling 101- The most essential predictor of counselling success is the relationship between the counsellor and the client “The best research evidence available overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that successful therapy is mediated by a relationship between a therapist and patient that is characterised by trust, warmth, empathic understanding, and acceptance” (Yalom, 1985)

Role of the Counsellor Trust- person on whom one relies Warmth- possessing a sincere, non-smothering concern Empathic Understanding- sensitivity and ability to “feel with” and understand the struggles of the client Acceptance- receiving the client as he or she is

The Secure Base The careful observation of a client’s first moments in the office can inform the approach of the counsellor to increasing safety for that particular client Some clients will feel safest if they are given the lead whilst others require slightly more direction or freeze Reflecting the discomfort of the client and giving permission to express will allow some ease of tension

The Secure Base The establishment of the sense of safety for the client should be at the forefront. If not, very little work can be done First role of counsellor is to become a secure base for each client by trying to understand what they are asking for when they come into a session Becoming a secure base by accurately responding to the moment-to-moment needs of their clients

The Use of Creative Arts in Strengthening Safety Definition of Play Therapy “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development” (Association for Play Therapy, n.d.)

The Use of Creative Arts in Strengthening Safety Mediums of Creative Arts Used -Play (Puppets, Games, etc.)- Art -Drama- Sandtray -Dance/Movement- Music -Photography- Poetry -Story-telling - Clay

Why the Creative Arts? Play is not only central but critical to childhood development (Roopnarine & Johnson, 1994) The intense sensory and physical stimulation that comes with playing helps to form the brain’s circuits and prevents loss of neurons (Perry, 1997)

Why the Creative Arts? Use of creative arts helps establish a working relationship with children, especially those who lack verbal self-expression, and even with adults who show resistance or an inability to articulate their feelings and issues (Haworth, 1964)

Words of Caution It is important to give permission for the client to create a safe place We cannot assume that a client has a safe place in their current repertoire of experiences Getting clients to close their eyes and imagine a safe place could have adverse effects (eg: clients who have experienced trauma)

The Question Creating Creative Safe Places 1)Think of a place that you have been where you felt really safe 2)Create a place where you could feel that way 3)For those using mediums of art, it might help to stay away from actual detailed drawings and use shapes, colours, etc.

The Process 1)Name the situation/issue (eg: starter question) 2)Draw your feelings about the situation using colours, shapes and lines 3)Decide where (in or out?) you will put yourself in this situation and how (as a shape, colour or symbol?)

The Process 4) Take note of the feelings/emotions that you are experiencing as you are doing Step 3 5) Place yourself in the situation where you feel safe 6) Take note of the “safety feeling” you are experiencing

Intervention Examples Mediums of Creative Arts Used -Play (Puppets, Games, etc.)- Art -Drama- Sandtray -Dance/Movement- Music -Photography- Poetry -Story-telling - Clay

Intervention Examples Dance/Movement (eg: Doodle Dance, Safety Moves) Music (eg: Drumming, Xylophone, Meditation) Poetry/ Journalling Story-telling (eg: Third Party Stories) Clay Photography

Intervention Examples

Conclusion Faith Hope Love

References Haworth, M.R. (1964). Child Psychotherapy: Practice and Theory. Northvale, NJ: Aronson Roopnarine, J. & Johnson, J. (1994). Child’s Play in Diverse Cultures. Albany: State University of New York Press Perry, B.D. (1997). Incubated in Terror: Neurodevelopmental Factors in the “Cycle of Violence” in J. Osofsky (Ed.), Children in a Violent Society (pp ). New York, NY: Guilford Press. Yalom, I. D. (1985), The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (3 rd Edition). New York, NY: Basic Books

Thank You!