Season 5, Episode #45 – Art Heals
Guest Hosts: Wanda Montemayor, LPC-S-AT, ATCS, RPT-S, ATR-BC – Director and Founder of Community Arts Therapy & Meagan Butler, M.Ed, LPC – Chief Care Model Officer at Lucero
In this episode we visit with Wanda Montemayor and Meagan Butler to discuss healing-centered engagement, art therapy, and the incredible ways that art can support community care. This conversation explores the impact of community art therapy in healing trauma and building resilience. Wanda and Meagan, share about their experience with the Uvalde Love Project in Uvalde, Texas, where community art supports children and families affected by a school shooting. Listen to how their incredible community engagement targets specific needs of individuals and communities, builds positive relationships, and uses the power of art therapy in promoting healing and connection.
Initiatives Featured in this episode:
Community Resource
Mental Health Support
Art Therapy
Professional Resource
Takeaways:
- Healing-centered engagement focuses on strengths and looks at people who have gone through hard experiences, emphasizing their resilience and the power of coming together.
- Applied neuroscience highlights the importance of regulation, connection, and reasoning in therapeutic interventions, ensuring that individuals are calm and focused before engaging in healing conversations.
- The Uvalde Love Project is a community art therapy project that brings healing and resilience to individuals and communities affected by trauma, emphasizing the power of art and community connection.
- Creating connected group experiences and embracing culture are essential in promoting healing and breaking the status quo in mental health care.
- Building positive relationships and providing group counseling can be effective in promoting healing and connection.
- Self-care for caregivers is crucial in maintaining their well-being and ability to support others.
- Art therapy can play a significant role in the healing process and fostering a sense of community.
Key Websites:
Wonders & Worries: www.wondersandworries.org
Lucero: https://lucerospeaks.com/
Community Art Therapy: https://www.communityarttherapy.com/
Uvalde Love Project: https://www.uvaldelove.com/
Uvalde Love Project (Youtube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEYJg4aafV4