Expressive Therapies Summit

ROOM 701

In this half-day workshop, illustrated by case examples, we will explore how the medium of the altered book is uniquely placed to function as a bridge in integrating all parts of the self on the path to individuation. The therapeutic process connects to the metaphor of altering and destroying a book to create a new "Self" and play with a new narrative of the self with the rebuilding of the book. The idea of "radical self-acceptance" will be defined and related to the book's innate ability to hold different aspects of the self on different pages, and through the juxtaposition of left and right sides. Specific materials and directives to invite this kind of “parts" exploration will also be discussed. Participants will begin their own altered book in the workshop and focus on discovering parts of their shadow and other cut-off or blocked aspects of themselves through the artmaking, then dialogue with these parts within their book. Time will be allotted for sharing and processing.