Posted by Dinah on August 24, 2006, at 9:29:40
In reply to Fingerpainting Therapy? Do I Seem That Crazy?, posted by Poet on August 23, 2006, at 13:37:23
I did a bit of fingerpainting back when I was unable to verbalize my feelings well. It actually was mostly black and red. It was meant to symbolize what my stomach felt like, and indirectly what I was feeling emotionally.
I only did it till I got the one picture right. And I don't think my therapist knew quite what to do with it. But fingerpaints were the only thing that could accurately capture my mood, based on their texture. I've still got that picture, in my notebook of things to be destroyed upon my death, and I still smile at how accurately it depicts what it was meant to depict.
I also did a whole color chart of moods in crayons, with a key made from my emotion name list. And I'd point to a color to describe how I was feeling, then work backwards to the word.
On the other hand, I'd have probably rejected fingerpainting as a regular activity. Way too icky and unpleasant on the hands for my taste. (My son hated it for the same reason.)
So... Maybe she's found it a helpful medium for her or for some of her clients to express primitive feelings. Since primitive feelings are sometimes best expressed in primitive painting techniques.
Feel free to reject it, but maybe she meant no insult by it.
poster:Dinah
thread:679353
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060808/msgs/679599.html