Making a personal collage, like creating a personal journal, is a method of getting acquainted with oneself, intimately. There is no right or wrong. Creating a collage for some people may be the easiest first step towards healing.
Getting Started
If a large piece of oak-tag looks intimidating, tape together a couple of pieces of construction paper. How fancy the project is depends upon the artist. However, if just starting out, simplicity is the way to proceed. Becoming overwhelmed by the project is self-defeating at all levels. The goal is to fill the blank paper with pictures, words and phrases.
Think about a theme. If working with a therapist, that individual may assign a theme. Whenever a qualified therapist assigns a project, he or she knows what the patient will gain from accomplishing it. Sometimes a therapist will explain the reasoning behind the project, sometimes there will not be an explanation. In other words, some measure of trust that the therapist knows what he or she is doing is necessary.
Start collecting magazines, catalogs and newspapers with lots of pictures. Engage the help of a trusted friend or family member. Home photos may also be used, but keep in mind they will be glued or taped to the paper. Feel comfortable about letting them go. Glue or tape and scissors will be necessary.
How the Collage Works
Everyone uses defense mechanisms (denial) depending upon the situation and relative dynamics. However, with conditions like eating disorders and substance abuse, the defense mechanisms can become rigid and internalized. Coping skills become fractured. The use of the collage allows the artist/client to address issues that the defense mechanisms would normally block out.
For people who have a difficult time communicating, having this tool also aids the communication process. A client has something to hold and refer to when speaking with a therapist or in group therapy.
A collage also has the ability to capture many moments in time all at once. This can help both the artist/client and therapist the ability to see in a moment what issue(s) may have taken years to develop as well as how issues(s) may have developed.
Reflection is an important aspect of this method. Keep a scrapbook of collages (pictorial journal). Watch the progress/growth. Enjoy the sense of accomplishment!
Word of Caution
Though collages are fun to do, and insightful, if there is trauma involved, either past or present, depending upon the theme of the project, working with a trained professional is the best scenario. A trained, qualified therapist can help should overwhelming emotions or a flood of painful flashbacks occur.
As in journaling, an intense flood of emotions can feel like a break from reality. For anyone not accustomed to coping with emotions, especially intense emotions, this can be very uncomfortable. Therefore, proceeding under the guidance of a trained professional is the best scenario in this realm.
Pick a Simple Theme to Start
Choosing an easy theme for the first collage is a way to stimulate the mind and begin the creative process. Like journaling, creating the collage integrates all the dimensions of one's humanity just using a different method.
For Eating Disorders
Because of the nature of eating disorders, this is not recommended to do solo. Eating disorders have been known to have severe health consequences. It is best to do this with a trained therapist. And if there is any suspicion as to whether or not an eating disorder may be present, obtaining the opinion of a trained professional is in one's best interest.
Sources
 |
