Expressive Art Therapy

I developed a list of research articles, ideas, and therapeutic ways to allow the teens I work with at the Safe House to express there feelings and emotions in a non-threatening way. I presented my ideas to the management team and the Director Val Stotts, such a great lady. She LOVED my ideas and had me present to the rest of our staff. We are implementing an Expressive Arts Therapy group once a week based off of what I brought to the table. HOW EXCITING!!!!!

There is SO much out there. My list was composed from many different sources and contains close to 120 ideas from edible Kool-Aid homemade playdough, glow in the dark bubbles, scratch and sniff paint, mask making, string art, collaging, Value boxs, Graditude Trees and SO MUCH MORE!!!!

Hot Glue Gun Art



String Art (I did this and it is so much FUN & so relaxing!!)

 

I am so honored to be able to assit such an amazing program for teens develop in a way that provides therapeutic support to our distressed young people!! I LOVE that I can help!!

Endless New Opportunities

Upon finishing my bachelors degree I was required to take an exam for the state to evaluate my knowledge, skills and abililties to be a licensed state professional. I passed, and am now a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Idaho. Credentials Bree Van Leeuwen, LSW (licensed social worker) after my masters in another year it will be LMSW (licensed masters social worker) and lastly my clinical license which is a couple 1000 hours and then my creditials will be LCSW (licensed clinical social worker).

Secondly, starting into the second semester of my masters program, I have started my internship at St. Lukes Mountain States Tumor Institute doing medical social work. I only have done a few days but am enjoying this new learning opportunity and the experiences I will gain.

 

Ending the summer, school is nearing once again. I will be spending 20 per week at the hospital for 600 hours. This time will be accounted for in a Practicum 575 "class" paired with Seminar 577. The other classes are Advanced Interventions 550, Advanced Research 532, Evaluation and Treatment of Mental Disorders 526. Again, busy BUSY!!!!

All of this is SOOO INTERESTING to me. The inter-workings of the mind and the idea of cognition (thinking), memory, thought processes, etc!! I can't get enough!!!

MORE on my plate...I got a call yesterday from a gal on a panel board with the Department of Health and Welfare asking me to be a part of their "Keeping Childrem Safe" team. A description from there webpage stated..."These panels examine how Idaho’s Child Protection System works and make recommendations for improvement. Panels have focused on providing independent analysis of how the child protection system responds to abuse and neglect and on overall community supports for children and families in crisis. " I was also asked to gather additional resources from my contact list and the resources I have access too!! How exciting to be apart of something so important and be developing a professional reputation at such a young age.

 

 

These are ALL so important to me and I couldn't ask for more. I believe there is good in the world, but recognizing it is a process, and must be overcome, one step at a time!!!!!