Expressive Arts Therapy

ET Division Brown Bag lunch Series presents… our last BBL of the Fall semester Wednesday Nov 28 12-12:45, University Hall 4-022 (408) The Window Project: A Multimodal arts project with Elders with Emily Johnson and Hillary Rubesin This Wednesday at 12:00, Emily Johnson and Hillary Rubesin, two second-year Expressive Therapies graduate students, will be presenting a quick peak into "The Window Project." The Window Project is a collaboration of painting, collage, reminiscence, storytelling, and ten large window panes constructed last year during their first-year internship at the Elizabeth Seton Residence, a nursing home for nuns. Come out to hear how it was done!

Check out our January and Spring elective offerings in Expressive Therapy Lesley University is offering several courses this January and Spring that can add revitalization to your practice: For more info go to: http://www.lesley.edu/current/oncampus/index.html and click on the “Real-time course schedules” link January classes GEXTH 5010.J1 Intermodal Expressive Therapy: Principles and Practices of Expressive Therapy Thurs – Fri and Mon – Wed 9:00 am -5:50 pm Jan 3-4 and 7-9 GEXTH 6025.J1 Expressive Therapy with Families Fri-Sun and Fri-Sat 9:00 am -5:50 pm Jan 4-6 and 12-13 GEXTH 6206.J1 Voice and Music Therapy Fridays 7:00-9:50 pm and Sat and Sun 10:00 am -6:50 pm Jan 11-13 and Jan 18-20 GEXTH 6367.J1 Art Therapy Studio Monday – Friday 9:00 am -5:50 pm Jan 7-11 GEXTH 6400.J1 Holistic Approaches to Pain and Stress Fridays 6:00-9:50 pm and Sat and Sun 9:00 am -5:50 pm Jan 4-6 and Jan 18-20 Spring classes GEXTH 5001 Techniques of Play Therapy Thursdays 1:00-3:50 pm GEXTH 5010 Intermoda

Monday's Poetry Reading with Steve Levine will be canceled. Steve is unable to come due to illness - we hope to reschedule in the spring.

4:30-5:00 IEATA networking meeting: Come hear about the exciting new work of IEATA and then come to hear Steve read his poetry and sign books... Song the Only Victory: POETRY AGAINST WAR A special evening of poetry with Stephen K. Levine reading from his latest book: Song the Only Victory: Poetry Against War Monday, November 26th at 5:00pm Lesley University, University Hall Amphitheater. Room 2-150 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02138 Free admission and all are welcome! Reception to follow This is a book for all of those who wish to go beyond mute outrage and to find their own out-spoken voices in the face of violence. To all those who despair the impossibility of change, Levine counsels, “Sing on!” Stephen K. Levine, PhD., D.S.Sc., REAT, is an expressive arts educator, poet, philosopher, and clown. He is Dean of the Doctoral Program in Expressive Arts Therapy, Education, Consulting and Social Change at the European Graduate School in Switzerland For more information, email

ET Division Brown Bag lunch Series presents: Substance Abuse Prevention through Puppetry: A Community-based Expressive Arts Program for young people With Kat Arrants and Lou Lim Current Lesley ET Students Monday, Nov.5 12-12:45, University Hall 4-022 (408) Come here two current students talk about a summer grant-funded substance abuse program they ran through the Everett Public Library! Come hear them talk about the population and the puppet-making, as well as the project that was funded through a grant written by Ellen Baird, a graduate of the program, and a librarian in Everett. Kat and Lou will present their protocol and lead us in a brief experiential.

Monday, October 22, 2007 12-12:45, University Hall 4-022 (408) ET Division Brown Bag lunch Series presents… A Transpersonal approach to the Expressive Arts Therapies and Drama Therapy in particular: A presentation of foundational principles in theory, experience and discussion. Facilitated by Saphira Linden, MA, RDT-BCT, LCAT. SAPHIRA LINDEN, M.A., RDT, BCT, LCAT: Director, Omega Transpersonal Drama Therapy Certificate Program; Adjunct Faculty, Lesley University; Transformational Theater pioneer; Artistic Director, Boston's Omega Theater (40 years); Management Consultant; Sufi Meditation Teacher-Guide(36 years);In private practice. Upcoming Brown Bag Lunches There is no BBL scheduled for Oct 29. Nov 5 – Kat Arrants (and Lou Lim) will present on a summer program they did for kids on substance abuse prevention using the expressive arts (puppetry and theater)! Nov 12 – no BBL Nov 19 – Alan O’Hare will present his work with Life Story Theater and the projects they have done at Elizabet

Our third brown bag lunch is happening this coming Monday. All are invited!!! ET Division Brown Bag lunch Series presents…Monday, 12-12:45, University Hall 4-022 (408) FOCUS ON GROWING OLDER TOGETHER: A COMMUNITY-BASED INTERGENERATIONAL ART THERAPY PROGRAM with Julianne Hertz, ATR-BC, adjunct faculty Julianne will present about an intergenerational art therapy group she ranwith older adults and adolescents based on the theme of growing older.Each participant was given a single use camera and was asked to photographtheir individual experiences of growing older. The intergenerational groupmade artwork using the photographs as the basis for the creative explorationof individual, group and generational experiences of growing older.Participants used mixed media techniques including: collage, photo transfer,painting and 3-D construction.

Our second brown bag lunch is happening today. All are invited!!! Today 12-12:45, University Hall 4-022 (formerly Porter 408) ET Division Brown Bag lunch Series presents… So what are your images? with Donna Newman-Blustein - Registered Dance Therapist and Adjunct Faculty It is said that we can not make a single movement without first having an image. Paying close attention to our images provides us with clues about our individual journeys. Couple that with the intention of self-nurturing, and our images move us along the continuum to greater health and well-being. Bringing our images, our visions and our dreams into enactment through art moves us toward fullest expression of the self, allowing us to share our unique gifts with others. Come hear Donna speak about our sources of inspiration! Be introduced to the Octaband , a dance/expressive therapy tool she's discovered to help us bring our gifts to others. Donna Newman-Blustein is a registered Dance Therapist and adjunct faculty

The 8th annual Passages Student and New Professional Music Therapy Conference will take place this Saturday, September 29th, at Lesley University in Cambridge. The conference is free, open to all, and no advance registration is required. The conference will take place from 9 am - 5 pm, with concurrent sessions throughout the day. There are terrific presentations being offered, with 11 of the 17 presentations being done by current Lesley Students. here is a sampling of the presentations: Sarah Newberry Songwriting for clients with dementia and other verbally limited populations Sarah Corbin Clinical improvisation: Some places to start A.I. Kali Cruz How music affects movement: Integrating music and movement within a therapeutic setting Marlén I. Rodriguez Music and patients in oncology: The effects of music in oncology procedures Lisa Jacobs, MM & Serene Thin Elk Melodies without words: Songs from the Indigenous and Jewish traditions and clinical applications Kate Keelty,

The first Brown Bag lunch for this year will be on Monday Sept 24. All are invited!!! ET Division Brown Bag lunch Series presents… Local Art Making a difference in Community: A presentation by the Art Connection of Boston – with Tova Speter ( Art Therapy ‘02) Monday, 12-12:45, University Hall 4-022 (formerly Porter 408) The Art Connection ( www.theartconnecti on.org ) is a Boston nonprofit with a belief in the power of art and a mission to expand access to original art to the greater community, specifically to under-served populations. By placing original artwork in community centers, health clinics, homeless shelters, domestic violence clinics, and other programs offering services to clients in need, spaces are transformed into opportunities for reflection, stimulation, inspiration, and hope. Many of the spaces where therapists work, may be eligible for donated art through The Art Connection. This session will be presented by The Art Connection's Program Manager, Tova Speter

In March, I was asked to participate on a panel for Lesley University's Institute for Body, Mind, and Spirituality (IBMS) and Expressive Therapy PhD Program Research Symposium. The symposium was called " Body, Mind and Spirit: Innovations in Research, Practice and Pedagogy " and opened with a talk by Dr. Jared Kass entitled - Spiritual Maturation: A Developmental Resources for Resilience, Well being, and Peace. I have an earlier post on this blog with some of the exciting ET workshops that were offered. Now you can also read my talk on-line. It has been published in the Journal for Pedagogy, Pluralism and Practice - Issue 12. My talk was a brief response to Dr. Kass' talk - entitled Awakening the Imaginal. The whole issue - is devoted to the work of the Institute of Body, Mind and Spirituality and has several articles by Lesley University's Expressive Therapy faculty - so check it out! The Journal for Pedagogy, Pluralism and Practice is an on-line ref

Check out our fall elective offerings in Expressive Therapy Lesley University is offering several courses this fall: For more info go to: http://www.lesley.edu/current/oncampus/index.html and click on the “Real-time course schedules” link GEXTH 5010 Intermodal Expressive Therapy: Principles and Practices of Expressive Therapies Mondays 9 am -12 noon GEXTH 5046 Writing as a Therapeutic Modality Mondays 6:45 pm – 9:15 pm GEXTH 6019 Storytelling & Healing: A lifespan approach Wednesdays 6:45 pm – 9:15 pm GEXTH 6200 Principles & Practices of Music Therapy Tuesdays 9 am -12 noon GEXTH 6208 Drumming, Rhythm and Healing Mondays 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm GEXTH 6254 Dance Movement Therapy with Children 11/2 – 11/4 Fri 5:00 pm - 9:50 pm, Sat & Sun 8:00 am - 4:50 pm 11/30 – 12/2 Fri 5:00 pm - 9:50 pm, Sat & Sun 8:00 am - 4:50 pm GEXTH 6258 Movement Observation Mondays 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm FULL – GEXTH 6302 Training Workshop: Psychodrama GEXTH 6360 Drawing From Within: A studio art th

On May 22, 2007, the Department of Mental Health sponsored a Commissioner's Reception at the Mass State House Hall of Flags to honor the contributions of those who have made a significant impact on the lives of people with mental illness. Norma Canner , professor emeritus and founder of the Dance/Movement Therapy program at Lesley University, was among those honored. Norma Canner received the Special Recognition Award for her contributions to the field of mental health. According to Commissioner Elizabeth Childs, M.D. Norma left her mark on the Department of Mental Health and "brought movement, joy, and healing" to the children she served. Her influence remains. Of the 17 people presented with awards, Norma was the only one to receive a standing ovation. According to Donna Newman-Bluestein, a dance therapist and adjunct faculty member who attended the awards ceremony, “it was, of course, not only what Norma said, but how she said it, that brought people to their feet. She

There were many Lesley University students, alum, and faculty at the seventh conference of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) which took place at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on May 23-27. (Thanks again Meg for all your help!) The conference was terrific! Many of the pioneers of the field were there - Lesley University's own Shaun McNiff was there, as was Paolo Knill, Steven and Ellen Levine, Sally Atkins, Maria Gonzalez-Blue, and many others. This is some of us on a panel - There was a wonderful labyrinth and a terrific poster session - where one of our students - Cailin Good presented her work! (you can see a close up of her poster in the previous post on this blog! just scroll down)

The Master's students presented their research at the annual Expressive Therapy Poster session here at Lesley University on May 4th. WOW! what exciting work the students have been doing. For a list of titles and abstracts click on the 2007 Thesis and Dissertation Research Page. In addition, we had an exhibit of photography by graduate student Samara Liverant, entitled, "Transitions." Congratulations to all who presented their work!

EXTH Division Open House! Porter Exchange 3rd Floor Rooms 3-051 to 3-064 May 4th 6-7pm Come & Enjoy some food!! Welcome & Cheer!!! Followed by the End-of-the-year Arts Café Come and celebrate another great year of Expressive Therapy at Lesley University! Feel free to bring friends and family (children always welcome) And PLEASE bring poetry, song, dance, improvisation, art work, stories to share. No need to RSVP - just come! ALL ARE WELCOME! FRIDAY, MAY 4, 7-10pm in Porter 2nd floor open space

Several of us had a great time at the Imagine Conference this weekend. In addition to the conference and Titus Lecture, we got to enjoy our reception with the Graduating Art Therapy Show.

If you are passionate about achieving peace in our world, please plan on joining us for "Imagine: Expression in the Service of Humanity, Moving Towards Forgiveness," Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28 , at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. This dynamic two-day event will focus on creative approaches to conflict resolution and the healing power of forgiveness. Learn more about the conference at www.lesley.edu/gsass/bodymind/imagine.html http://www.lesley.edu/gsass/bodymind/imagine.html Conference Highlights: On Friday, the morning plenary session titled "Working Creatively with Others to Transform Unjust Social Structures" will be given by Fariq Esack, Ph.D., William Henry Bloomberg Visiting Professor at Harvard Divinity School. In the afternoon, there will be an international panel who will speak about "Working with Trauma and Conflict". Panelists include: - Herb Kelman, Ph.D., Harvard University - Lobsang Sangay, S.J.D., Harvard Law School - Me

Lesley Graduate Art Therapy Student Exhibition Marran Gallery, April 9-27, 2007 Please join us for an Opening Reception Friday, April 20th from 4-7 pm

Lesley University is offering several courses this summer: For more info go to: http://www.lesley.edu/summer/grad.html I ntermodal Expressive Therapy: Principles and Practices of Expressive Therapies GEXTH 5010-01 | 3 credits August 6–August 10, Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm GEXTH 5010-02 | 3 credits June 2–June 6, Monday–Wednesday, Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm Arts and Healing GEXTH 5045-01 | 3 credits August 13–August 17, Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm Theater as Therapeutic Process GEXTH 6009-01 | 3 credits July 23–July 27, Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm Assessment and Treatment Planning in Art Therapy GEXTH 6015-01 | 3 credits June 4, 6–7 and June 25, 27–28 Mondays, 9:00 am–12:20 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am–6:00 pm Introduction to Art and the Brain GEXTH 6030-01 | 1 credit July 9–July 12, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am–3:00 pm Voice and Music Therapy GEXTH

Lesley University's PhD programs in Expressive Therapies and Educational Studies, in conjunction with the Pluralistic Wellness Program at Harvard Divinity School and MSPP are co-sponsoring a Symposium entitled " Body, Mind and Spirit: Innovations in Research, Practice and Pedagogy . Friday, March 30, 2007, 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Lesley University, Porter Exchange Building, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Massachusetts "Check out some of these exciting Expressive Therapy offerings: “Art: Creating Experience Through Touch” Amy Morrison Often we are told to not touch the art. That art is meant to be seen but not physically interacted with. This presentation explores art that is made to be touched, to be experienced through our senses. The exhibit titled "Pulse: Art, Healing and Transformation", shown at the ICA will be our jumping off point. We will examine the context in which this experiential art is exhibited and the lives of the artists who create such wo

One way to get more jobs and recognition for the amazing work that we do is to spread the word about the work... Don't wait for someone else to do it - Let it BE YOU! From the website of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies: This is the 28th anniversary of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies. In honor of the coalition building many creative arts therapy leaders have done over the years, we would like to invite you to celebrate within your community the extraordinary work of the creative arts therapists all over the world. - Host an open house with other CAT colleagues to display and demonstrate your modality or provide a workshop or seminar open to the public. - Offer to run a career day with colleagues at a local high school or college. - Provide a staff development in-service to broaden the knowledge of other professionals in your own institution or agency. - Visit other schools, nursing homes, day-care centers to provide a creative arts therapy experie

Hi everyone, I'm back from sabbatical - and I've been trying to think about how to re-invigorate my blog and my practice! Unfortunately, I've been pretty swamped with re-entry, teaching 3 classes this semester, and our big ET office move. But I've always thought - the best time to do something on the web is when you're completely overwhelmed. The satisfaction of the instant post is AWESOME! Besides, there are always things to inspire us in this field... so I have decided to begin with a posting of a compilation of resources in "Evidence-based research in ET." The whole notion of evidence-based research and practice is a hot topic, so I hope I've have posted something that can generate conversation! Let's get it started! Tell me what you think! and thanks for your interest! Karen **** Evidence-based research in Expressive Therapies compiled by Karen Estrella March 2007 Chapman, L., Morabito, D. & Ladakakos, C. (2001). The effectiveness of art th