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Procrastination & the Art of Hidden Agendas - Texas Counseling ...

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<strong>Procrastination</strong> & <strong>the</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hidden</strong> <strong>Agendas</strong>:Graphic Processes to Reveal <strong>the</strong> Truth.Vicki L. Williams-Patterson, MCAT, LPC-AT, ART-BC<strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Counseling</strong> Association Conference, November 16, 2012Description <strong>of</strong> Terms:1. <strong>Procrastination</strong> is a behavior in which an individual delays undertaking a task and thus reduces <strong>the</strong>likelihood that <strong>the</strong> task will be completed successfully. The task is ei<strong>the</strong>r freely chosen or <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> task are desired by <strong>the</strong> client. The behavior is generally seen as maladaptive.2. <strong>Art</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapy is <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapeutic use <strong>of</strong> art making within a pr<strong>of</strong>essional relationship by people whoexperience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development.Through creating art and reflecting on <strong>the</strong> art products and processes, people can increase <strong>the</strong>irawareness <strong>of</strong> self and o<strong>the</strong>rs; cope with symptoms stress, and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitiveabilities; and enjoy <strong>the</strong> life-affirming pleasures <strong>of</strong> making art.<strong>Art</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapists are pr<strong>of</strong>essionals trained in both art and <strong>the</strong>rapy. They are knowledgeable abouthuman development; psychological <strong>the</strong>ories; clinical practice; spiritual, multicultural and artistictraditions; and <strong>the</strong> healing potential <strong>of</strong> art. They use art in treatment, assessment and research, andprovide consultations to allied pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. <strong>Art</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapists work with people <strong>of</strong> all ages: individuals,couples, families, groups, and communities. They provide services; individually and as part <strong>of</strong> clinicalteams; in settings that include mental health, rehabilitation, medical and forensic institutions; communityoutreach programs; wellness centers; schools; nursing homes; corporate structures; open studios andindependent practices.The American <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) sets educational, pr<strong>of</strong>essional, and ethicalstandards for its members. The <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB), an independent organization,grants credentials. Registration is granted upon completion <strong>of</strong> graduate education and postgraduatesupervised experience. Board Certification (ATR-BC) is granted to Registered <strong>Art</strong> Therapists (ATR)who pass a written examination and is maintained through continuing education. Some states regulate<strong>the</strong> practice <strong>of</strong> art <strong>the</strong>rapy (<strong>Texas</strong> LPC-AT), and in many states art <strong>the</strong>rapists can become licensed ascounselors or mental health <strong>the</strong>rapists.From: <strong>Art</strong> Therapy: Definition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession (American <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association, 2012)www.art<strong>the</strong>rapy.org<strong>Art</strong> Tasks for Revealing <strong>the</strong> <strong>Hidden</strong> Agenda (two drawings):1. Think about a situation in which you or your client has experienced procrastination. Draw arepresentation <strong>of</strong> that situation. Include as many visual details as you can.2. Dot-to-Dot or Scribble image.Proposed Explanations:1. Lack <strong>of</strong> skills & bad habits2. Avoiding distress3. Poor mental health: low self-esteem, low self-confidence, anxiety, self-defeating beliefs4. Severe mental illness: mood disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attachmentdisorder, or psychosis


Possible art tasks to facilitate appropriate <strong>the</strong>rapeutic interventions:1. Lack <strong>of</strong> skills & bad habitsa. Draw and/or find an image that illustrates your commitment to making a specificchange in your life.b. Social Map: Illustrate your life showing <strong>the</strong> relationships & activities that take up timein your life. (See <strong>the</strong> handout.)2. Avoiding distress.a. <strong>Procrastination</strong> image (See first task.)b. Mandala: free style or coloring a design3. Poor mental health: low self-esteem, low self-confidence, anxiety, self-defeating beliefs.a. Dot-to-Dot & Scribble techniqueb. Hand Outline Taskc. Create awards and/or certificates <strong>of</strong> achievement.d. Make and finish anything.e. Use an unfamiliar art medium, especially clay!f. Feelings Map (Jones, 1997)4. Severe mental illness: mood disorders, PTSD, attachment disorders, psychosisFollow your own treatment regimen. Once your client is no longer suffering from severedysfunction, consider exploring <strong>the</strong> tasks described in #3.<strong>Counseling</strong> techniques that may contribute to clients’ procrastination (Ishiyama, 1990).1. Selective acceptance <strong>of</strong> emotion2. Strategy aimed at controlling emotion3. Avoiding staying with an emotion until it shifts spontaneously4. Avoiding confronting <strong>the</strong> clientReferences:Ariely, D. & Wertenbroch, K. (2002). <strong>Procrastination</strong>, deadlines, and performance: Self-control byprecommitment. Psychological Science (APS), 13 (3), 219-224.Conti, R. (2000). Competing demands and complimentary motives: <strong>Procrastination</strong> on intrinsically andextrinsically motivated summer projects. Journal <strong>of</strong> Social Behavior and Personality, 15 (5), 47-59.Fincher, S. F. (2010). Creating Mandalas for Insight, Healing, & Self Expression. Boston: Shambhala.


Gura, T. (2008). I'll do it tomorrow. Scientific American Mind [serial online]. 19(6), 27-33.Ishiyama, F. I. (1990). A Japanese perspective on client inaction: Removing attitudinal blocks throughMorita <strong>the</strong>rapy. Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>Counseling</strong> & Development, 68, 566-570.Jones, J. G. (1997). <strong>Art</strong> <strong>the</strong>rapy with a community <strong>of</strong> survivors. <strong>Art</strong> Therapy: Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American<strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association, 14(2), 89-94.Kapitan, L. (2012). Does art <strong>the</strong>rapy work? Identifying <strong>the</strong> active ingredients <strong>of</strong> art <strong>the</strong>rapy efficacy. <strong>Art</strong>Therapy: Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association, 29(2), 48-49.Kimport, E. R. & Robbins, S. J. (2012). Efficacy <strong>of</strong> creative clay work for reducing negativeMood: a randomized controlled trial. <strong>Art</strong> Therapy: Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association,29(2), 74-79.McNamee, C. M. (2004). Using both sides <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> brain: Experiences that integrate art and talk <strong>the</strong>rapythrough scribble drawings. <strong>Art</strong> Therapy: Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association, 21(3) pp.136-142.Sirois, F. M. (2004). <strong>Procrastination</strong> and counterfactual thinking: Avoiding what might have been.British Journal <strong>of</strong> Social Psychology, 43, 269–286.Slayton, S. C., D'Archer, J. & Kaplan, F. (2010). Outcome studies on <strong>the</strong> efficacy <strong>of</strong> art <strong>the</strong>rapy: Areview <strong>of</strong> findings. <strong>Art</strong> Therapy: Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association, 27(3), 108-118.van der Vennet, R. & Serice, S. (2012. Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? A replication study.<strong>Art</strong> Therapy: Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> American <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association, 29(2), 87-92.O<strong>the</strong>r Resources:http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dont_delayA blog about procrastination packed with resources by Timothy A. Pychyl, Ph.D.Megan L. Van Meter, MA, LPC-AT, ATR-BC in Austin, TX.<strong>Art</strong> based clinical supervision, consulting services, and continuing education for illuminating <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>rapy: www.abcsfor<strong>the</strong>rapists.comAmerican <strong>Art</strong> Therapy Association: www.art<strong>the</strong>rapy.orgThe Institute for Continuing Education in <strong>Art</strong> Therapy (ICE/AT) created by <strong>the</strong> American <strong>Art</strong> TherapyAssociation: http://art<strong>the</strong>rapy.trainingcampus.netMandala Assessment Research Institute: http://www.maricreativeresources.com/Mandala patterns: http://www.hellokids.com/r_1100/coloring


http://www.free_mandala.com/en/start.htmlhttp://www.coloringcastle.com/mandala_coloring_pages.htmlVicki L. Williams-Patterson, MCAT, LPC-AT, ATR-BCCenterpoint Institute, 8930 Fourwinds Dr., Ste. 211, San Antonio, TX 78239(210) 541-1400, vlwpatrbc@gmail.comwww.LinkedIn.com


Design an award certificate for yourself recognizing a positive quality or action.


Hand Outline Task: Within <strong>the</strong> hand outline, draw or write your positive qualities &resources. Around <strong>the</strong> outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hand outline, draw or write what you want toacquire..


I intend to ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Think about situation in which you or your client have experienced procrastination.Draw a representation <strong>of</strong> that situation. Include as many visual details as you can.


Social Map:Draw a shape in <strong>the</strong> center area to represent yourself. Around that shape, add additionalshapes to represent relationships and/or activities that take up time in your life. Keep yourchoices to ten (10) major areas. Examples: children, employment, spiritual practice,marriage, dating, hobby, entertainment, chores, pets, o<strong>the</strong>r family members, personalcare, health care, commuting, career development, exercise, etc. draw a line between yourshape and each shape that you have added. Make <strong>the</strong> line expressively, changing itscolor, density, and contour to indicate how you feel about this particular activity.

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