Medical Art Therapy

We have evolved into a nice cohesive group. Gaelynn and I have become a good tag-team at presenting, and today the students jumped in to facilitate the art activity with our supervision. They are continuing to develop excellent presentation and facilitation skills. I love that they are so enthusiastic about this work. They have also become very fond of the seminar participants and the children we work with in the afternoon. Good-byes will be difficult. Today's participants were slightly fewer in number. Twenty-seven attended, and the focus of the training was the benefits of art therapy in a medical setting. We covered the basic history and a few well-known examples (at least in the art therapy world). There was no recognition of Frida Khalo, but these are medical staff, not art students. This was followed by some case studies from Gaelynn's research and work. The students facilitated a body awareness exercise so that the participants would be able to do a body transformation drawing in a small scale. It was interesting to note that this was a foriegn concept to this group, as was dreamwork. But with a few explanations through our well-spoken translator, they began to understand. It is difficult for them to go from the concrete thinking of their medical profession to thinking metaphorically, but they may be getting the idea slowly. They are willing and good natured about exploring all the information we present. Dr. Morquette took us to lunch at Visa Hotel today, which provided a lovely buffet. It is a different world away from the dusty streets. The food was excellent, and the restaurant was filled with relief workers from many countries, business people, and other professionals. We were primarily the only female group there, however I did spot a couple of women with their companions as well. The doctor asked if we would give another seminar tomorrow to the first year nursing school students, and, of course, we agreed. It's exciting. His confidence is evident in the invitation to expand the training. After lunch, we went to an Artists Coop in the center of the city. It was quite a drive through narrow roads and a lot of traffic, but it was well worth it. We all wanted to support the local economy and artists by purchasing some items to bring home. We ran long, and were unable to work with the children, but will look forward to being with them tomorrow. It feels like we have just arrived -- it can't possibly be half way through our trip. I believe we will return in the near future. It has been such an edifying experience, and we are all very grateful to be here.