Working with Performers and Artists
By Eve Brownstone, MA, LCPC
Sometimes people express themselves first through the arts then through verbal language. As an Expressive Arts Therapist, I have found this very true in the performing/artistic communities. A dancer is more like to express hurt feelings towards her boyfriend with her stomping feet. The stomping feet come first then she verbalizes, “ He is _____DDDGshdjdjfhshsd”. Everything is stored in the body. I like to listen to what my clients are saying and not saying. I pay attention to body posture, pace of movement, eye contact, and tone of voice and level of energy.
My clients want to know that they aren’t freaks. They aren’t alone. The strong emotions and the creative visions are part of being creative. They may not be considered always “appropriate” in mainstream, but what a boring world it would be without us artists, weirdos and magicians.
If a client of mine comes into a session wanting to sleep, eyes down and teary eyed she may be feeling over whelmed by life. If she comes in with a revved up vibe, head up, good eye contact, she may be having a good day and a kick butt attitude. This client is feeling more empowered in her life.
I am present for clients wherever they are at. Sometimes they need comforting or a pep talk. Most of the time clients want to know I am listening. I feel like listening is a skill I’ve learned over time. Not everybody is a good listener. Some people appear to be listening but are just waiting for their time to talk.
Listening to me means being a witness to someone else’s story. When someone shares their story it is a sacred moment. They trust me enough to open up. I’ve heard thousands of precious stories over the past twenty years as a therapist and oral historian. I feel honored again and again.
Communication, respect and safety are keys to developing the therapeutic relationship, which is a place where healing may come.
I encourage my client to make art, sing their heart song, and dance their dance that gets to the heart of things. They are encouraged to express themselves in the language they feel most comfortable. Sometimes clients come in just wanting to talk.
I do pay attention to the blabber versus reflection factor. Are clients just recounting their day or reflecting on their life experiences and making meaning for themselves? Do they seem disconnected with themselves? Connected? There is no judgment or right or wrong answer.
If someone comes in jabbering and feeling disconnected, I will encourage them to get quiet for a moment, check inside, to get in touch with what their heart wants in the moment. This may lead to meditation or drawing or maybe even silence. I am okay with silence. Being okay with silence, sitting with doubt or mixed feelings bring good lessons.
I’ve learned over the years to trust the process. I trust my clients will learn skills to empower themselves. I don’t heal anybody. I just help show my clients to learn that all the tools for healing are already within them and they just need to just trust themselves enough to dig and see them.
I can be reached at brownstonetherapeutics@gmail.com or 773-859-1276.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Conversations with Eve
Hello, my name is Eve Brownstone, MA, LCPC. I have had the great pleasure and honor to interview and record 200+ oral history stories through video, audio and written media for twelve years through out the Chicago-land area. Please check out some interviews on my website http://www.brownstonetherapeutics.com/.
Most recently, I partnered with CJE Senior Life to interview 100+ residents in one of their Assisted Living buildings over a 22-month period. As their Creative Arts Coordinator, I was reminded again of the importance of being able to tell your story through the creative arts.
The experience was documented in “Alive With the Arts”, published in The Urban Coaster. See Attached article. Pioneer Press also highlighted my work with Brownstone Therapeutics in ”Oral History Speaks Volumes”. See attached article.
Among various projects, I served as the Project Director of the Rogers Park Personal Oral History Project. In the summer of 2004, we brought teens together with seniors at a nursing home and within the community of Rogers Park here in Chicago. Meaningful relationships were developed and teens learned how to complete oral histories themselves. A video documentary came from this experience called Community Building: One Story at a Time. This project was completed in partnership with the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society.
From 1998-2001, I developed and coordinated The Reminiscence Project. It was an oral history project in the Chicago neighborhood of Andersonville /Edgewater in which 40 senior citizens were interviewed in their homes, local restaurants, hang-outs, senior day programs, nursing homes on the beauty of reminiscing. This endeavor was archived by making a 30-minute video-documentary of the process called "Wise Friend," I was fortunate to have my video camera at Women and Children First Bookstore, when I videotaped legendary oral historian Studs Terkel saying "Ordinary people do extraordinary things." “Wise Friends” opens with Mr.Terkel’s remark. Those words have become my motto. This project was completed in partnership with the Edgewater Historical Society and was shown at their Opening in 2001. This project was also featured in the Chicago Tribune.
As an Expressive Arts Therapist, I have worked with folks from eighteen months to 106 years old for twenty years. I believe I have a knack for putting people at ease. I like to be a witness to people realizing they do have something to say and helping them feel safe to say it. It continues to be an honor and privilege to do this work.
I can be reached at brownstonetherapeutics@gmail.com or (773) 859-1276. Thanks for your time and attention in advance. Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Eve Brownstone, MA. LCPC
Most recently, I partnered with CJE Senior Life to interview 100+ residents in one of their Assisted Living buildings over a 22-month period. As their Creative Arts Coordinator, I was reminded again of the importance of being able to tell your story through the creative arts.
The experience was documented in “Alive With the Arts”, published in The Urban Coaster. See Attached article. Pioneer Press also highlighted my work with Brownstone Therapeutics in ”Oral History Speaks Volumes”. See attached article.
Among various projects, I served as the Project Director of the Rogers Park Personal Oral History Project. In the summer of 2004, we brought teens together with seniors at a nursing home and within the community of Rogers Park here in Chicago. Meaningful relationships were developed and teens learned how to complete oral histories themselves. A video documentary came from this experience called Community Building: One Story at a Time. This project was completed in partnership with the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society.
From 1998-2001, I developed and coordinated The Reminiscence Project. It was an oral history project in the Chicago neighborhood of Andersonville /Edgewater in which 40 senior citizens were interviewed in their homes, local restaurants, hang-outs, senior day programs, nursing homes on the beauty of reminiscing. This endeavor was archived by making a 30-minute video-documentary of the process called "Wise Friend," I was fortunate to have my video camera at Women and Children First Bookstore, when I videotaped legendary oral historian Studs Terkel saying "Ordinary people do extraordinary things." “Wise Friends” opens with Mr.Terkel’s remark. Those words have become my motto. This project was completed in partnership with the Edgewater Historical Society and was shown at their Opening in 2001. This project was also featured in the Chicago Tribune.
As an Expressive Arts Therapist, I have worked with folks from eighteen months to 106 years old for twenty years. I believe I have a knack for putting people at ease. I like to be a witness to people realizing they do have something to say and helping them feel safe to say it. It continues to be an honor and privilege to do this work.
I can be reached at brownstonetherapeutics@gmail.com or (773) 859-1276. Thanks for your time and attention in advance. Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Eve Brownstone, MA. LCPC
Assembling The Allies
For Women with Cancer at Heartwood Center
Assembling The Allies
By Eve Brownstone, MA, LCPC
In every life there are choices. For women with cancer there are still many choices to consider: treatment options, foods, friends when to fight and how to find the strength to keep living. That internal spark that tells us life is good is hard to feel when chemo is kicking your butt.
I will help you assemble a team of internal and external allies to fight cancer. You’ll know you won’t be alone. Through the arts we can find ways to create these allies. It could be a warrior, a wise crone, a medicine woman, a teacher, a good caring parent that comes from within you to help care for you. Also clients are encouraged to create or engage with their support system. Friends and loved ones are important for healing. It takes a village to fight cancer.
Clients also learn to direct anger where it should be directed not at loved ones or at oneself but at the cancer. I facilitated an anger management support group for six years and know anger is a feeling that can move us into positive action.
It is a battle that is fought everyday with love, friendship, courage, allies, purpose, spirit and medicine.
Eve Brownstone MA, LCPC, is an Expressive Arts Therapist with 20 years experience. Eve will be presenting Creating Your Life to members of Gilda’s Club of Chicago in June. Contact Eve at 773.859.1276 or brownstonetherapeutics@gmail.com Check out http://www.brownstonetherapeutics.com/ for more information.
Assembling The Allies
By Eve Brownstone, MA, LCPC
In every life there are choices. For women with cancer there are still many choices to consider: treatment options, foods, friends when to fight and how to find the strength to keep living. That internal spark that tells us life is good is hard to feel when chemo is kicking your butt.
I will help you assemble a team of internal and external allies to fight cancer. You’ll know you won’t be alone. Through the arts we can find ways to create these allies. It could be a warrior, a wise crone, a medicine woman, a teacher, a good caring parent that comes from within you to help care for you. Also clients are encouraged to create or engage with their support system. Friends and loved ones are important for healing. It takes a village to fight cancer.
Clients also learn to direct anger where it should be directed not at loved ones or at oneself but at the cancer. I facilitated an anger management support group for six years and know anger is a feeling that can move us into positive action.
It is a battle that is fought everyday with love, friendship, courage, allies, purpose, spirit and medicine.
Eve Brownstone MA, LCPC, is an Expressive Arts Therapist with 20 years experience. Eve will be presenting Creating Your Life to members of Gilda’s Club of Chicago in June. Contact Eve at 773.859.1276 or brownstonetherapeutics@gmail.com Check out http://www.brownstonetherapeutics.com/ for more information.
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