wiseheartcounselling@gmail.com
Nadine Pluzak B.Ed. B.A. RTC Expressive Arts Therapist
Wise Heart Healing Arts Counselling
Healing through Art Making
When words aren’t enough.
The wisdom inside each of us expresses itself, in shape, line, movement, sound, colour.....
In the act of creating.
When we step into the imaginal an incredible power is present. Creativity, imagination and play help us move past blocks into flow, balance, health and wellness. Where we re-connect to our deepest truths, abilities, knowings and resources. Allowing our own innate healing abilities.
The source of our Inner Light.
POEISIS:
(from Ancient Greek: ποίησις) is
"The activity in which a person brings something into being
that did not exist before."
Poiesis is etymologically derived from the ancient Greek term ποιεῖν, which means "to make", "making".
MY STORY
Passionate Counselling Professional
Nadine Pluzak B.Ed. B.A. RTC
Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, Artist and Facilitator
As an expressive arts therapist, multi-media artist and group facilitator, I hope to help your unfolding of inner exploration, healing and creative expression towards your own wellness.
Inside of each of us is a deep knowing and intrinsic connection, the source of our light. Through authentic connection to your body and lived experiences, an invisible world of expression emerges, being revealed and seen. Stepping into the Imaginal further supports an embodied way of knowing all the possibilities within. Knowing your own creative power, unique strengths and endless choices.
Shaping the inner light of your life.
My practice is based on a caring, receptive, and honouring therapeutic relationship towards
being seen, feeling heard and feeling loved.
My personal philosophy is based in whole-brain thinking, emotional intelligence, wellness and play. I have a background in Spiritual Psychology. Working with children and families for 7 yrs and engaged in Community Arts Building for 10 yrs. I am a Professionally Trained Clown in the Pachinko Technique in Personal Development through Mask Making and a Professional Storyteller, having studied with world renown Storytellers Laura Simms and Nancy Mellon. I am passionate about Nature-Based Place-Making and healing of our deep inner ecology. I sit with many Indigenous Elders, Ceremony Keepers and Storytellers learning about a connection to the land and the ceremony of life. I have a committed daily Zen Meditation Practice in the Chan Lineage practicing the Method of ‘Silent Illumination’. I attend Silent Meditations Retreats frequently. I am committed to my meditation practice.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY
Arts Based Healing
Client Centered
Strengths-based
Intermodal art making: Moving through multiple modalities, anything can be used in a session, music, movement, storytelling, poetry, puppets, collages, writing, visual arts, nature, ect....
A way of working with the creative process as a paradigm for addressing suffering, where the focus is on the process itself, and on the insights that emerge, rather than on the outcome or product.
An explorative way to heal through something that cannot be discussed in words.
A method to release emotions, blocked body sensations, and unhelpful thoughts; to face fears of the past or present; and to feel the pure joy of the whole self-coming together in love and strength.
A way to try things out, make discoveries, take risks, do it again if it does not feel right, be silly, be brave.
The Art making process allows an experience of seeing from a different perspective.
In a non-verbal way, inviting the unconscious to reveal itself. Allowing a deeper source that is alive under the surface of everyday life to piece together solutions from our innate resources towards a more holistic self.
“All of the various forms of art and the acts of creative expression resonate and call to the human being to be collaborator. In return the arts can offer insight, transformation and expansion from the known and into the possible. Expressive arts therapy is an arts based, resource focused approach that offers infinite possibilities to explore challenges and obstacles that can be part of our experience in daily life.”
-Angela Carroll-Wallace
As Daria Halprin expressed (2003), the creative process opens and reflects back to us images of who we have been, who we are, and who we might become. Indeed, the passion and creativity of the arts allow us to live with our suffering and find release through creative play.
Art Speaks Where Words Are Unable to Explain
Mathiole
WHAT HAPPENS IN A SESSION
In a session we might begin with relaxation, move into the arts, harvest from the experience and leave the last 10mins to transitioning out of the session.
Sessions are 50mins long with the last 10 mins left for scheduling and payment.
Some things we might do in the art-making process is try painting with eyes closed, explore movement into writing, work with clay, work with natural objects to create an installation........
I do not analyze or explain your artwork to you; instead the art-making process illuminates your own inner discoveries. I support you in your relationship to your artwork and artistic process. After some creative work and play we would reflect to see what worked, what surprised you, what insights the art might have for you. This is an empowering process of self-discovery and embodying the experience. I serve as witness and companion, as you take unique and creative steps to build and shape your life with, presence, peace, wisdom and lightness.
In a typical session, we would discuss what is going on in your life, then move into the arts. We move away from words and focussing on the pain into creativity so as to move away from problems and give them permission to transform through art and play allowing them to reshape themselves into what feels better for you.
This time allows your unconscious a chance to approach the issue from a completely different angle, while working with the arts helps you express things that you might not know how to express in words.
I work with Children and Adults.
No past artistic experience necessary. Just a desire and willingness.
“A child may thrive on the ability to have a free-flow of verbal and nonverbal expressions. A child’s empowerment occurs when they are capable of expressing their troubles, concerns, and challenges in a nonthreatening, non-hostile, and noninvasive therapeutic session. When a child is empowered they are given a torch of emotional freedom. While talk therapy offers an avenue for verbal communication; Art therapy is capable of simultaneously looking at verbal and nonverbal spectrums of life.”
-Dr. Asa Don Brown (2012), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
SCHEDULE A SESSION
Whatever is going on in your life, I’m here to support you to find more ease and possibility. Contact me to find out more.
Victoria B.C. Canada
wiseheartcounselling@gmail.com