My littles draw pictures about things that have happened to them and they bring them into T. I can't draw so I don't bring any art to my sessions.

I have brought music into therapy. Mostly for the little parts again. T has listened to different songs with them that have meaning to them.

DF,

Art is a huge part of my healing, but I have not shared anything with my T's yet. Maybe someday I will but I haven't had the desire to share with them yet.

quote:

My biggest problem in therapy has been my inability (unwillingness?) to connect emotionally with the content of what we discuss in therapy. I have a cold indifference toward my history that has held me back for years. My T has battled with me over this for a long time, trying to get me to engage in feeling rather than thinking, trying to push past my 'cold outer ogre' as he has called it in order to connect to the child within. He has sat many times and spoken in detail of the tragedy of a little kid lost, while I've sat numb and empty to what should be a powerful words of validation. I haven't been able to connect to these words.

I relate to so much of what you have written here, Monte. I enjoyed reading on and hearing about how you were able to connect more by sharing your sketches and photos from your childhood. I am a visual person as well and I think I would like to try some of the things that you have done with your therapist. Thank you for sharing your experience and planting a seed in my head....and to DF for starting this thread as well.

I've been tempted to bring in some of my art. My T has on more than one occasion asked me to bring in my stuff.

I'm (professionally) a graphic designer and he's asked to see my portfolio. I also do side work as an artist (mostly portrait stuff) and he's seemed interested in seeing that stuff too. But despite his asking the only thing I've showed him is a picture on my phone of a portrait I've done. He seemed to like it (it was unfinished).

I guess I just feel weird about showing him that stuff. My work feels like a different part of me (the strong and capable part) and maybe I don't want that part of me coming into therapy. Also showing my professional portfolio would just make it feel like a job interview And I'm afraid I would just go off on my "spiel" and not let him really take it in. Maybe one day I'll show him, but I figure if he is really interested then he could just google me.