Over the past few weeks I have been reviewing the data from my study. I have conducted focus groups with art therapists across the US and Canada about the properties of fiber arts. Their responses suggest that fiber arts may be therapeutic due to the following eight qualities: grounding, meditative, tactile, rhythmic, structured, repetitive, social, and practical. Based on their feedback I am developing a training manual for art therapists about fiber arts and shared trauma. Below are two preview pages from the manual.
The first page is a self-care check-list. This is organized based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which suggests that human needs are prioritized into hierarchical categories. In other words, some needs are fundamental and must be addressed before we are capable of and motivated to strive for loftier goals. First we address our physiological needs, such as sleep, food, and hydration. Next we address our need for safety and security in the form of housing and finances (to obtain material needs like food or maintain items we need like our housing, car, etc.). Next we address our social needs which includes love, affiliation, and belonging which we obtain from friends, family, co-workers, and our communities. Next we address our needs for esteem which comes from acknowledgement by and respect from peers and colleagues, as well as professional or avocational accomplishments. Finally, if all of our other needs are met we are free to pursue our higher purpose and loftier goals. This is important from a self-care perspective because if we don’t address our basic needs by doing things like taking a lunch break, getting enough sleep, or spending time with people whom we care about, not only will we start to feel stressed, anxious, or burned out but it will be harder to do our jobs well. It is difficult to be compassionate and empathic when you’re hangry (hungry + angry)!
The second page is a flow chart which makes suggestions about different art interventions you might go to based on your emotional state and current needs. This is based directly on the contributions of the research participants in the focus groups. As an art therapist it is sometimes easier to guide a client or supervisee towards the right material than it is to choose a material for yourself if you’re feeling upset. While certainly not a comprehensive listing it is meant as a jumping off point. Feel free to try it out and leave feedback in the comments below.
