Elizabeth M. Rhee

>>Ways to move away from judgment and into compassion about our feelings with art<< Name the feeling that you want to get curious about. ... If my feeling had a color what would it be? If my feeling had a shape or form what would it look like? If my feeling had a texture what what would it feel like? If me feeling could talk, what would it say? If my feeling had a home where does it live in my body? Rather than approaching our emotions with judgement let’s learn to become curious about them. When we judge our feelings there’s a tendency to avoid it, push it away, minimize it, or get overwhelmed by it leaving us feeling stuck. When we get curious about emotions we can move into a state of compassion for ourselves and our experiences into a state of freedom. @ Silver Lake, Los Angeles See more

It takes courage to set boundaries. It takes courage to implement boundaries without feeling guilt. It takes courage to speak up. It takes courage to have an opinion. It takes courage to learn what you want and need. It takes courage to allow others to meet your needs and desires. It takes courage to experience reciprocity. It takes courage to feel your feelings. It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in especially if it goes against the grain. It takes courage to receive a compliment. It takes courage to get to know yourself. It takes courage to excel at something. It takes courage to be unique. It takes courage to take up space.

As you begin to notice how you engage in the art process can you turn that compassion, curiosity, flexibility, and holding of realistic expectations to your healing journeys and selves in the same way? [Things to consider:]... ~How do you react when you mess up or make a mistake? ~When you produce something different from what you had hoped for what do you do with it? ~What are your expectations for engaging in art making? ~Are you able to be flexible and problem-solve with the spontaneity and imperfections of the process? ~What meaning do you assign to the creation? ~Are there any hesitations as you prepare to engage in art making? See more

When we wait for the perfect moment, opportunity, or self we’re waiting for something that is unattainable or attained at a great expense while losing out on opportunities to grow, to learn, and be human. We pursue perfection because either through implicit and explicit messages, we were received messages that we are loved, worthy, and safe based on our performance of good behavior and achievements. When we receive these messages we learn to only accept and love the ...perfect or good parts of ourselves that our parents/ caregivers deemed acceptable. When we pursue perfection, we shy ourselves of the good and end up shaming, criticizing, and punishing the parts of ourselves that make us beautifully human. May we befriend all parts that make up the sum of who we are so that we can wholly love and allow ourselves to be wholly loved. May we not just allow the messy process, the mistakes, and the imperfections to exist but may we invite them. May we not hold ourselves to unrealistic standards of perfection but to the standards of kindness, gentleness, and acceptance. For all my fellow perfectionists out there See more

May we give in to the process and trust the art. Let the art guide you, challenge you, and liberate you.

This is a critical part of the healing process. We must tune in and provide for ourselves the experiences that we needed but were not able to receive for whatever reason. Sending love to those walking through the thick of it

Let’s talk about Art Therapy! This may be the first time some of you have heard about it so I’ve created a post to discuss some key points. [What is art therapy?]... . . Art therapy is incorporating the nonverbal creative process as a form of communication in addition to talk therapy. It is an opportunity to utilize various forms of communication incorporating both the left and right side of the brain to be able to explore your experiences and bring insight in a comprehensive way. [Why art therapy?] . . If you’re wanting to learn about yourself in a different way, wanting to communicate and express yourself in a new way, give voice to parts of your story that have been difficult to verbalize, or are just curious I encourage you to reach out! [How is it different from therapeutic art activities?] . . Although, I will post therapeutic art activities (art making that feels therapeutic) on this platform, it is distinct from art therapy. Art Therapy is facilitated by a trained art therapist who puts intention in choosing specific materials for a specific directive that aligns to the work you are doing in the therapy setting. The process, content, quality, and conversation are taken into consideration as the art therapist guides the client to make meaning of the creation. The artwork can also be treated confidential as part of the clinical file. [What if I don’t have any art experience?] . . Absolutely no art experience is required. There is no right or wrong, good or bad. When using art as a form of communication, the focus is on the process not the final product, the experience not the aesthetics. If you’re wanting support in working through parts of your story that you have difficulty putting into words or are interested in learning about yourself in a different way feel free to reach out! See more

As we work through and with the art materials, we work through and with our emotions. The art serves as a metaphor to help us contain and hold our stories. How else have you experienced the healing power of art? I would love to hear your thoughts and about your experiences!

+Self-regulating Art activity #1+ [What you’ll need:]... 1. A nice, comfortable place to make art 2. Paper OR specifically multimedia paper if you plan on using paint 3. Marker, colored pencil, pen, OR any other structured material you can find around the house 4. Watercolor (with cup of water and paintbrushes), pastel, OR any other fluid medium you can find around the house [What you don’t need:] 1. Any art experience or creative background 2. Any form of judgment 3. Expectation that you’re going to create a masterpiece as a final product [PART A] 1. Pick a structured material (marker, colored pencil, pens, etc.) 2. Choose one color that depicts your anxiety, stress, frustration, or whichever emotion is dysregulating to you. 3. Pick a simple shape or mark that you can easily repeat and embodies that feeling. 4. Fill the page slowly repeating this shape or mark. (You can choose to do this in an orderly fashion such as from the left to right, top to bottom or in a spontaneous fashion and just move through the page as you please. Choose what feels most soothing for you.) 5. Notice what happens to your body as you engage in this rhythmic motion. [PART B] 1. Pick a more fluid medium (pastel, watercolor, etc.). 2. Choose one color that best depicts a sense of calm and peace. 3. Start filling the page with this color to start taking space in whatever shape or form makes sense to you. 4. Observe the two shapes, forms, colors, and textures as they interact with each other. [Reflection] ~What changes do you notice within yourself (thoughts, sensations, emotions)? ~What is it like to witness your dysregulation interact with you calm and peace? ~Was it easy or difficult for you to find space for the calm and peace? Thank you for joining me and I hope you enjoyed the process

Just because we are all experiencing the same event does not mean it will feel the same, look the same, or impact us the same. It is crucial that we tune inwards to give voice to each of our own unique needswe are responsible for our own healing and must keep ourselves accountable. And still, relationships bring healing and connection reminds us that we are not alone. As we take for ourselves what we need, can we also make room to show up and be there for and with others... to make meaning of the chaos and the pain? May we find healing in holding both truthsthough we take different paths, we are walking through this together. Hang in there, everyone See more

Hi there! My name is Elizabeth and I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with specialized training in Clinical Art Therapy. I’m so honored and excited to be able to share this space with you. I figured now is the perfect time to start this page as we are all learning new ways to engage and connect while being quarantined, so here it goes! My passion and the foundation of my work is to be able to help individuals and families restore and reconnect to their ...most pure and authentic selves and to engage in relationships in the same way. In addition to being a therapist, I am also a 2nd generation Korean American, a creative, an outdoor enthusiast, and a dog lover. Thank you for being here with me and I look forward to sharing and connecting with you! In the coming weeks, I plan on sharing a few videos of how we can utilize art making to practice self regulation in the midst of the pandemic so feel free to join me!