MENTAL MONDAY and WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

THE PSYCHOLOGIST IS 'IN'.








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MENTAL MONDAY
(with psychologist, Zena and client Zoe)

Zena has been working with Zoe on issues of trauma and how it blocks her creativity. Zoe is gradually learning that she can create and, point of fact, the creative expression itself is going to help heal  her of her residual trauma and any creative blocks.

Good Morning, Zoe, good to see you. How was your week?

Zoe: Well, you know how it goes. Sometimes I seem to be doing really good and other times I feel so blocked and not living well.

Zena: Yes, it may seem that you are not making progress. You are, though, it is like a spiral effect. Sometimes it feels like you are going backwards but you will have made too much progress; there is no going back. Once a person becomes more conscious of their behavior and there is more clarity to their thinking and feeling they are not in the same 'place'; there is always going to be some residuals from any experience. Give yourself credit and try to be more forgiving of yourself. How are you at forgiving others?

Zoe: I am better at helping and forgiving others than I am at forgiving myself. My mother tended to get 'locked in with her suffering' ~ I was able to see that; yet, I fell into a similar path. Yet, I was able to work on something this week that I would like to tell you about if we have time.

Zena: Zoe, this is your time. What is it you want to discuss?

Zoe: My shame ~ I realized this past week that I felt 'shame' most of my life and it was my mother's 'shame' more than mine. I felt shame that I never felt like I seem to 'belong' anywhere. Yet, I know I was popular in grade school and looked up to. Similar in junior high school and high school ~ not as much. I was 'in hiding' in high school. I wanted to be with the 'in crowd' and I at times didn't feel good enough. I know I am and I don't need to feel 'shame'. I have no need to feel shame ~ it was my mother's feelings that I took on ~ not mine.

Zena ~ Well you certainly have had some major breakthroughs this week and did you do any creating?

Zoe: I did I was able to collage those 'shame based' feelings that we have spoken about and realized 'why would I want to be something I wasn't or belong to some group that didn't fit for me?I want to be who I am and not my mother or anyone else. So here is my collage.

Zena: Can you explain this for me Zoe; I know I did a similar one for you ~ this one is great.

Zoe: In this collage the background is a group of 'flamingos' all clustered together and then on top is the Cat who is feeling shame because she is a Cat and not a flamingo and so doesn't 'fit into the group or mainstream. My mother never felt she was 'good enough' wherever she was and she was! She was loving and giving and well I took on 'her shame' and I woke up from a dream realizing I had 'owned' this shame for so long when I didn't need to. Does that make sense?

Zena: Every bit! It is as clear as can be. Zoe you have such clarity about who you are and who you felt you should be because of your mother's needs. Now, you can begin to really be who you are. If that means you don't 'follow the crowd' or 'fit into the mainstream' then you now realize you don't have to. Why would you want to do that unless you want to 'stay in adolescence' and not be on your own path in life?

Zoe: I am so glad to hear you say what I have been feeling. This collaging is really helping me to express so much and yet not feel afraid of the feelings.

Zena: Wonderful ~ I think it would be good for you to work on more collaging of your feelings this week. Would that work for you?

Zoe: Sure, I really like doing these collages and I can choose what feelings I am becoming aware of that are really getting me stuck. Thanks Zena for helping me see that I am getting there.

Zena: You most certainly are and I look forward to seeing you next week and what collage or other art you have worked on related to your feelings that are keeping you blocked.

Hugs and namaste,

QUOTE FOR THE DAY: 'It's always something.'

(Gilda Radner)

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Ruff! Ruff!

A CREATIVE HARBOR, our other blog, sail on over by clicking on the highlighted link and come enjoy the view, Soul Collage Sunday, Ruby Tuesday, 52 Photo Projects, Create with Joy and more to catch your eye. Bring some beverage and relax and enjoy. ~ Thanks, Carol ^_^