Art Therapy

In some situations, children have a hard time explaining what they are thinking or feeling. Other times, a child may feel too afraid to share something that hurt them or scared them. They may feel like they have done something wrong and that they will be in trouble if they express what they are holding onto.  

Using art is a great way for a child to express their experiences, and the emotions that are attached to the experience, without the child having to vocalize. The event the child might draw or paint can give clues as to what is going on within the child. The patterns in which they use and the colors they choose all are windows that help a qualified therapist to peek inside the soul of the hurting child. 

Below is a list of colors and their meanings. When a child uses these colors in an art therapy setting, it helps the therapist look for deeper messages the child may be trying to express. 

Black

• authority                                                      
• power
• strength
• evil
• death or mourning

White

• purity
• innocence
• cleanliness
• spaciousness

Red

• love
• energy
• intensity
• life
• blood

Yellow

• happiness
• warmth
• frustration
• anger
• attention-getting

Green

• natural
• growth
• money
• health

Blue

• calmness
• cold
• wisdom
• loyalty
• truth

Purple

• royalty
• wealth
• sophistication
• wisdom
• mystery

Have you experienced art therapy in your life? 
Have you witnessed the transformation in another's life? 

If so, we would love to hear from you. Please post a comment or emails us at

ContinualCare@gmail.com

How Are You Feeling Today?

Often times we have difficulty expressing the emotion we are feeling, especially children. By pointing to a feeling on a visual chart, children can begin to express what they are feeling even when they don't have the words.

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Simple question

Do you want to be right, or happy?

~Dr. Phil.

If there were only the two choices, being right all the time, or being happy, which would you choose? Is it worth your whole relationship with your spouse to argue over whose turn it is to do the dishes night after night? Even with your teenager there is always a compromise. Look for them.

Love or Fear?

What if you asked yourself before every choice you made,

"am I doing this out of love, or out of fear?"

Often times we make decisions and situations more complicated than they need to be, especially females!

Love is easy for most people to understand. As we change diapers, cook dinner, do laundry, pay bills, iron our husbands shirt, or do a favor for a friend we are doing those things out of love.

Fear, is harder. If we are struggling with something or someone, it is probably because of a fear. Are we fearful of speaking up for ourselves, fearful of not being good enough, successful, fearful we are not good communicators or listeners, or maybe we are just fearful that we will be hurt again?

Fears hold us back. Fears create stress and tensions. Fears keep us up at night.

So now what? Once you consciously practice asking, "am I doing this out of love or fear?" then you will be able to start to see patterns. Record your fears in a journal. Often times once you are aware of the choices you are making, you can then face the fear and make a loving choice the next time.

Remember, "God did not give you the spirit of fear," you did.

Forgiveness. Its for you.

All people make mistakes. On occasion, a choice we make might hurt someone's feelings. Hopefully, we are remorseful and apologize and do whatever is necessary to make amends. But, have you ever been in a situation where after your error, you apologize, and do everything to make amends to find that the other person(s) involved won't forgive you? They are just not ready to let it go.

Often times those situations are the most painful because you need to move on. You have done all that you can and to the other person, it is just not enough. What then?

Some may feel that is when you turn it over to your Higher Power while others may make a conscious decision to allow themselves freedom from it.

This may also be the time when you have to supply the forgiveness, even if you don't feel you are the one obligated to do so. Forgiveness is not about letting another person "off the hook." Forgiveness is really for you. Forgiveness is freedom for you.

Remember if you really have done everything you can to right a wrong and it is not being received, that's all you have to do. It's all you can do.

Being the best you is enough.

What's your theory?

Why is it that we climb into bed next to our spouse, have the desire to reach over and just touch them, but don't? Why do we lie next to each other night after night feeling like we are a million miles apart when really we just want to be in their arms?

Got a theory?
ContinualCare@gmail.com

Help! I need therapy!

Many of us wonder if we need a therapist to help us get through some problem we are experiencing in life. Some of us may, but some of us may not.

Right now while the economy is struggling and you just don't have a spare minute to add one more thing to your "to-do" list, there are things you can do to improve your situation without going to counseling.

(Please note: counseling or therapy that is done with a licensed professional, trained to handle whatever challenge or situation you are dealing we absolutely recommend, especially if there are unique or extreme circumstances. In the event of physical or sexual abuse, please seek professional help and contact local law enforcement immediately. This blog is not in place of therapy and is not endorsed by a licensed therapist. Postings, comments, or other information on this blog is for general use and knowledge--not a replacement for professional therapy).

In many circumstances, problems we are having in relationships are just communication based. We haven't learned the skills to really communicate our thoughts or feelings in a way that can be received by the other person. These are skills you can learn now.

Maybe we are struggling with something tragic from years earlier in our life that we just can't let go of. Often times, it's something we can work through and learn to let go of on our own.

Parenting is by far the hardest job. The daily stress of dealing with children can lead to arguments, fighting, and many frustrations for every member of a family. Often times we find ourselves saying, "what is wrong with this kid!" Turns out, more times than not, it's the parent who needs to make a change, not the child.

Got clutter? Often times clutter holds us back from moving forward in our lives. We hold onto objects thinking they are a part of our history or a relationship we have had. We hold onto things to keep us feeling like we have enough, when in reality, all those objects become the things that hold us back, that steal our freedom, and keep us from true happiness and healing.

All of these situations require just a new way of thinking for you. All of them are skills that can be learned---easily! No expensive fees, no co-pays, no doctor's offices, and no long therapy sessions. A few minutes each day to take care of yourself will not only help you find your happiness, but will allow that peace in your life that you are so desperately striving for.

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Are you dealing with any of these situations? Feeling like you need some one to talk to?
Send us your story. We would love to hear from you.