Last weekend I went to a wonderful workshop sponsored by the Ontario Art Therapy Association (OATA) on Arts-based and Positive Supervision. It was a workshop designed for supervisors but open to all including students and supervisees. Aside from the sharing of pertinent information around supervision issues, we explored our character strengths as supervisors and supervisees in the bigger picture: that is we looked at how our many roles and values that we bring to professional relationships impact on and help grow a healthy and supportive supervision relationship.

Our workshop facilitator Olena  Darewych brought in some beautiful nesting dolls as a metaphor on which to reflect upon the multiple roles that we all engage in. To me these nesting dolls symbolize the abundant layers of self which are sometimes hidden, yet still always there.  As you open one doll there is another hidden doll/part of self inside, and another and another; layers of self that are not always in our awareness but are important to have some awareness of.  We reflected on how these various parts of self or roles we play influence our relationships with others, whether in supervision or in the client therapist relationship. We then made our own set of paper nesting dolls to identify and explore some of the top roles and subsequent influential values held.

It was a day of learning, reflecting, connecting with old and new colleagues,  and creating.  The workshop came to close with a group art project, giving us an opportunity to assimilate the days content in a non-linear way.  Registered art therapist and psychotherapist Suzanne Thomson guided us through a group mural on a large canvas spread out in the middle of the workshop floor which had the outline of a bare tree showing roots, trunk, branches and leaves: the Tree of Life.  Our task was to ponder the Tree of Life as it relates to the roles we see ourselves in, what our strengths are and what needs nurturing. (if you are not familiar with the tree of life see the video below which I found which explains more). Though we had the hand out which identified the symbolic significance of each part of the tree, Suzanne encouraged us to respond intuitively to the different parts of the tree and work on any area that we were called to. It was a beautiful process, creating with a group who were all at different stages of their journey as creative caregivers. Some students of art therapy, some practicing art therapists and expressive arts therapists, and some moving in that direction.

Below are some close up images of parts I worked on and parts a close colleague worked on (shared with permission).

Roots

What are the values that influence supervision?

The seeds are inside us. They need to have time to germinate before they can sprout and eventually bloom into new ideas. My approach is based in a humanistic person centred approach which sees the individual as having the answers inside which need  to be nurtured and supported for optimal growth.

Trunk

What are signature strengths that are embodied from these roots?

Spiraling out, opening up. The knothole on the trunk of a tree to me represents the challenges one has weathered in ones life which has made them stronger.  As I made th spiral “knothole” in the trunk of the tree I pondered the wounded parts of myself which has taught me so much and has contributed positively to my therapist and supervisor self. I believe that as therapists we can use  these past experiences of challenges to inform our work, not as “wounded healer” but as compassionate beings who understand that difficult experiences can make us stronger. In a sense it is a symbol of hope.

Branches

What are your hopes, wishes and dreams for supervision?

What directions will you pursue?

There is something about wrapping ribbons or sting around things that gives me a feeling of being held. It reminds me of the layers which build us up, protect us like the bark of a tree and make us stronger, while also can show inner growth. As a supervisee, I want to be held and reminded of the gifts I have to offer my clients as a more than just support on their journey.  As a supervisor, I hope that I instill this same hope in those I work with. Keeping in touch with the unique creative approach that art therapy affords, I wish to bring more of this creative focus into my work with others I supervise.

Leaves

Who and what supports your supervision practice?

The image below is part of the tree which a dear colleague of mine made.  We connect with each other regularly to run things by each other, and check-in for professional and moral support. Aside from continuing to do my own art, I think it is important to create in community as having a creative self-care practice can support us as supervisors and as well as therapists.

In the final part of this group mural we were invited to reflect on the tree as a whole and write a response to be placed on the canvas or around it.  We then took turns reading out the words shared creating a collective poem of the experiences of all.

Want to know more about all aspects of the tree of life? Here’s a great video I found which explains in more detail the process of using the Tree of Life with Clients.

Are you a psychotherapist looking for supervision by an experienced clinician?  I offer in person and online supervision please e-mail me petrea@arttherapist.cafor more information.

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