Pocket Hugs workshop with Yekseny | Art Therapy

The Pocket Hugs Workshop, led by our Art Therapist, Yekseny Guerrero, was a fun and creative workshop that fell under the theme of February, the month of love! The atmosphere was calm, safe, and comfortable for the community. Yekseny encouraged everyone to slow down, be present, and create with intention. Participants were given time to reflect on who they wanted to show appreciation for and share their pocket hug. The workshop highlighted the importance of practicing gratitude in everyday life and showed how love and care can be shared in a simple but meaningful way.

Community Art Therapy | Memory Bracelets

This workshop was focused on creating meaningful memory bracelets to honor our loved ones who have passed and celebrate cherished relationships with those still in our lives. Through the art of bracelet making, we explored grief, memory, and the ways we carry connection.

This workshop was led by Yekseny Guerrero, MA, ATR-P, starting the process by asking “What does grief mean to you?” Participants shared openly - describing their own experiences and feelings. Yekseny continued by asking “Do you go through the grief stages in order?” and reminded everyone that grief is different for everyone. Before we began crafting, Yekseny invited everyone to relax in their chairs, take some breathers, and to focus on a on loss of a loved one or someone personal to them - telling them to allow themselves to feel.

It was time to make bracelets. Yekseny went through each charm/bead, as everyone chose their own. Each charm/bead represented their loved one’s favorite things and what reminded them of their loved ones. Once finished, each bracelet was tied and worn.

Thank you Yekseny for guiding with such care, and to every participant who showed up with openness.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Family Bonding | Art Therapy

Last week we hosted art therapy with Yekseny for our neighbors! Art therapy this week was entered around family bonding through blanket making. Each family was able to pick out their own fabric and tie the knots together with their loved ones. We loved seeing the generational support with one another! We are so appreciative to our TFD friends and community members for coming out to this workshop and being vulnerable.

Thanks to Yekseny for a wonderful, artistic night!

Identity Collage Workshop

Last week, Yeskseny of Leyden Family Services led another workshop on Art Therapy. In this session, the participants were introduced to the idea of showing their personality through collages. Yekseny provided stickers, paper, and magazines, and the participants were free to use them to represent their personalities. We enjoyed community conversation while getting to know each other through art therapy.

Thanks, Yekseny and participants, for an amazing workshop!

Art Therapy at PMSA Mental Health Club

We are so excited to continue offering our programming through mental health club at PMSA. This month, Dana of Paint on Purpose led art therapy for the students. This session, the students painted cacti to resemble growth and purpose. Cacti are able to grow in harsh conditions even without water. Dana created this piece to resemble the how we are always working to a goal and we can still achieve growth even during hard time.

Thank you Dana for extending your resources to the PMSA students and thank you to the students for your participation!