Charmaine Husum

Before beginning a therapeutic relationship with a client, it is most important to create safety within that relationship and ensure that we are a fit. If we are meeting online, it is also important that you have a safe and private space to explore your feelings. We start with a 15-30 minute free consultation over the phone for you to ask me any questions and give me a sense of what you are needing. Our first session begins with a discussion on how you are feeling and moves into a warm up using simple art making. You do not need to be an artist to do art therapy, quite the opposite. After a quick warm up, I invite you to move into a brief meditation or mindfulness activity to help to ground and become more connected to the inner wisdom your body holds. You then begin to create in whatever way feels right for you using whatever materials you are drawn to. Another option is for me to guide you in a specific art directive, to further explore an issue or problem we have already discussed. Our sessions are never rigid and can move into a variety of areas quickly if that is where your subconsciousness chooses to go. As we trust the process, there is safety in knowing that you will never bring anything up that cannot be handled in the moment. Using art in session allows you to work from an unconscious place, allowing whatever is present to move to the surface. Feelings from within the body and mind move to the page or art in front of you. Once feelings become moved outside of the body, we are able to take a better look at things with a different perspective. Depending on one's world view, I find it especially effective to connect to an energy larger than one's self. This may be a departed loved one, source energy, angels, guides or whatever spirit and energy feels appropriate. During psychedelic integration, connecting to the powerful spirit of the plant medicine becomes a strong support to help guide you.