On 7/29/10 I received my ATC’s (artist trading cards) in the mail sent by Gretchen Miller (MA, ATR-BC) who organized this swap through a subgroup of the Art Therapy Alliance. The timing of their arrival was perfect as I was just preparing to take my last California MFT exam and beginning to feel a little nervous about taking the exam and feeling resentful towards the CA BBS for creating such a mind numbing exam. The card titled “Earnest afternoon 2″ by Theresa Zip reminded me to stay “real” and true to the therapist I am despite working for an agency that only values evidence-based practices. It’s been a challenge to balance my beliefs in expressive arts therapy with the need for the evidenced based. “Creative Expression flows from the heart” by Doreen Meister encouraged me to keep art journaling as the pressure and stress of the test began to wear me down. It also reminded me not to think so much as I’m working on my art journal and to just let my heart take over. I made an amazing art journal page the night before my exam that really helped center me before the test. Molly Kohut made the card titled “Art therapy is power” which just says it all. Being creative helps me stay true to myself, stay sane, express myself, and encourages me to try new things. Gretchen Miller included an “Art Therapy Revolution” ATC reminding me that there are other’s in the field who know the power of the creative arts and how important it is for us to find one another. Below are pictures of the ATC’s that I received and by the way I PASSED my exam!
