The creative arts therapies give form, to feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and possibilities. Most of our work has been primarily focused on supporting individuals and groups faced with difficult circumstances or burdened with mental illness function within the constraints of their families, institutions, and communities to the best of their abilities. Yet, often this work is done without an understanding of the social, economic, and political contexts that influence what we along with our clients are up against and which constrain our best efforts. Consider the impact of our current global recession on employment and the anxiety that this creates for individuals and families faced with losing their homes or businesses. Without inviting reflection and analysis about the "bigger picture," it would be easy to see one's anxiety and ensuing depression as an individual problem requiring an individual solution. Perhaps more importantly, without identifying and inquiring about complex sources of harm, we may risk interpreting one's struggle as a failure on their part, a sentiment that is often euphemized as "a lack of resilience."
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