Deep Clay Psychotherapy

People of all ages and abilities have found that tapping into their creativity in Deep Clay sessions has helped them to address life transitions, school and career issues, relationship problems, grief and loss, difficulties with creative work, identity confusion, and depression. Non-verbal modalities such as the clay work and sandplay are particularly helpful in working through trauma and body awareness issues, and in getting past intellectualization.  For adults and children alike, such deep playing in therapy can be extraordinarily healing.  

Adults
    For those seeking to enliven their personal journey, anchor their healing in concrete expression, relieve stress, neutralize and transform toxic energy, and get in touch with their dreams, individual sessions offer  a combination of talk with clay work, drawing, painting, sandplay, or movement.  Sessions are usually weekly or twice weekly for 60- 90 minutes. Individual "Dreamfigures" sessions are available for both men and women. (Please see description under Group Work.)
   
Teens   
   "Self-initiated Therapy” is the way one teen described Michelle’s way of working. You can talk if, how, and when you want.  If you don’t feel like talking, you can focus on your art project, write in your journal, create a scene in the sand tray, or express yourself through movement.  You’re not put on the spot.  Having a chance to do something physical or creative makes talking easier.

Children
   Play therapy, art therapy, storytelling and sandplay are the primary modalities Michelle uses with young children.  Social, educational, behavioral, and family issues are additionally addressed through meetings with parents and school personnel.

Parent Counseling
   Parent sessions support the work with children and teens.  Some parents may  prefer to address parent - child issues through ongoing parent counseling sessions. 

    "Dreamfigures" are the images and forms which inhabit our dreams, fantasies, and the wordless depths of the unconscious.  This group process encourages opening to these personal and collective images and allowing them to make themselves known through clay or other art materials. Group members practice being in dialogue with the unconscious and gain strength from witnessing and being witnessed in the creative non-judgemental sessions. In addition to structured exercises and time for free artistic exploration, the Dreamfigures Group experience includes journal writing, sharing personal stories, and experiencing oneself and one's creations within the supportive circle of the group.  Basic instruction is offered as needed.
     After three initial  individual meetings with Michelle, participants may sign up for a series of six to ten 2 hour  group sessions.  On alternate weeks, group members meet with Michelle for individual sessions, or meet for ongoing therapy with another therapist of their choice.    

*The "dreamfigures" work can also be done on an individual basis.    

    Couples or parent-child dyads use  weekly sessions to build new ways of communicating, enhanced by the use of symbol and  metaphor inherent in art therapy and creative play.