Healing Power of Expressing Emotions in Recreational Therapy

Healing Power of Expressing Emotions in Recreational Therapy North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association Conference October 2018

Sound Test Do you hear me? Type “yes” in the question box.

Screen Test What animal do you see? Type “dolphin” in the question box.

Embarrassing Disclosure I’ve provided webinars without sound or pictures before.

My personal email is: Danny@Danny. Pettry. com

This is Important Information for Recreational Therapists, like you.

FREE Stuff Do you want a copy of the slides some ebooks a special report (PDF summary) of this session. Fill out your name and email. I’ll send a one time email to you (BBC to protect your email) and get info to you.

I Need Your Attention Please. . .

I Need Your Attention Please. . . • Turn off cell phones • Turn off Facebook • If you're a Recreational Therapist and you’re serious about learning more then you’ll want to turn off all distractions.

Why is it good to stay focused? • It makes you smarter • Dan Hurley in his book: Smarter, argues: • That being fully focused on one thing can help you to learn. • Distracted thinking causes mistakes and missed information – think about distracted driving.

Personal Disclaimer Personal experience: I have ADD (without the hyperactivity). Based on my experiences, I had a difficult time focusing on one thing at a time. I struggled in school because my attention would wander off to other things. I have learned to stay focused for longer periods of time. It is possible.

Let’s get to know You! I want to take a moment to get to know you and the audience.

What setting do you work at? Post in the box now

What diagnostic groups do you provide services for? Post in the box now

What do you hope to gain from this webinar? Post in the box now

You might be asking yourself: • Who is Danny Pettry? • Why is he qualified to present this session?

First, I want to briefly discuss my credentials, so you’ll know my qualifications to present this subject… … and then I want to get to the core content that you’re here to get.

First, I consider myself to be humble.

Do you see that good-looking, awesome guy in this picture? Well, that is me! –your friend, Danny Pettry

Education…. Two advanced graduate degrees • M. Ed. , Mental Health Counseling • M. S. , Recreational Therapy

Experience I’ve worked at a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) providing services for children and adolescents who have various mental/ behavioral health needs requiring residential needs (since Aug. 2002). 16+ years My focus if assisting children with abusereactive needs.

Credentials • Licensed Professional Counselor • National Certified Counselor • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists with Behavioral Health Specialization

Expressive Arts Specific Experience • I’ve been providing expressive arts as an intervention for children and adolescents for many years. I’ve presented this training at Healing through Creativity and the West Virginia TR Association conference and at hospitals.

Okay that is way too much about information about me. Because This Session is About You!

Learning Objectives: by the end of this webinar: you’ll be able to identify 3 ways to express thoughts and feelings. what you’ll need to start a journaling program 3 health benefits for journaling/ self-expression

More Interaction Time

Do you provide services for people with emotional needs: depression, anxiety, etc?

This training can help.

Do you write in a journal?

Would you open your personal journal and share your deepest, darkest, moment?

Would you open your personal journal and share your deepest, darkest, moment? Just kidding…

Who Wants Understood? • Sean Covey (1998) said the deepest need of the human heart is to be understood in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. • The focus of this session is to teach you ways to express yourself so that you’ll feel understood and if not by others, at least you’ll have a good self-concept, which is beneficial.

First, Keep a Journal • Journaling although not a term in the dictionary, it is: the act of writing about one’s thoughts and feelings. • Journal according to Webster’s dictionary is: record (as in diary) of daily happenings. • Diary according to Webster’s dictionary is a record especially for personal experiences and thoughts. A book.

Is Journaling a Leisure Activity? Post in the comments now to share yes or no and provide an example…

Is Journaling a Leisure Activity? • Leisure is living in relative freedom from external forces in order to act from internal ways that are pleasing, worthwhile, and provide a basis for faith (Goodale & Godby, 1985). • Journaling could be leisure if the person is not being externally forced to write and it enjoyed. If a person does not prefer writing, there are other forms… to be discussed soon.

Aristotle viewed “writing” as leisure • Two types of education according to Aristotle: 1. Instruction on how to use leisure honorably: Reading/ writing, gymnastics, music and art. 2. Instruction to develop occupational skills: Math/ money making, household management, politics and sciences.

Writing is a Creative Art • Pressfield (2002) in his book The War of Art argues that writing is a form of creative art. Pressfield’s book discusses how to use leisure time productively to perfect one’s craft at writing. • Pressfield had used the same creative techniques to write the novel: The Legend of Bagger Vance.

Journaling and gender • Some people argue that journaling is an activity for women. This has been very true based on my personal experiences having provided services for adolescent males in the past. • Fact that I use: Former U. S. President Ronald Reagan kept one of the most detailed dairies among all Presidents in history. Jimmy Carter was a writer too. • Note -- (I stay politically neutral). I do advocate for recreational therapy or for people with various mental health or physical health needs.

Benefit: Increase Longevity • Dr. Maoshing Ni (2006), in his book: Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to be 100 argued that: • Mental stimulating activities (learning and writing) can stimulate brain cells and in some cases grow new brain pathways • Suggests that it is good for health to express one’s mind opposed to holding feelings inside.

Benefit: Increase Longevity • Ni (2006) compares a “mental dump” with a bowel movement. Ni argues that a person should solve this “mental constipation” with the use of journaling, which could add years to the lifespan. • Interesting fact: Reagan, had written diaries, short fiction, sport stories, numerous letters, and poetry. He was the eldest person to serve as President, serving from 69 to 77. Carter is a writer too and is living long. • Could writing one factor to their longevity? There could be other factors too.

Bibliotherapy • Bibliotherapy (wikipedia, 2007) is an expressive therapy that uses an individual’s relationship to the book, poetry, or other written words as therapy. • Bibliotherapy is most often combined with writing therapy. • You may want to read some of the books suggested in this session.

Bibliotherapy • The use of Bibliotherapy is also discussed in Dr. David Austin’s (2003) Therapeutic Recreation Process and Techniques. 5 th edition. Sagamore Publishing. • It could be beneficial to read famous journals by people who have suffered similar incidents and to keep a journal about their own personal issues.

Use of journaling in schools • Teacher Erin Gruwell a. k. a. Mrs. G. taught at Woodrow Wilson High School, Long Beach, California • Being the new teacher, she was given the worst of the worst. • Children in her class were involved in gangs, drugs, racial wars, and had experienced loss from shoots in “the hood. ”

Erin Gruewell’s Strategy • Erin Gruewell realized that her students needed more than just English. • She used bibliotherapy and writing therapy in the classroom to help her students to build esteem, confidence, acceptance of others, how to cope with issues in life, and so much more beyond the basic education curriculum of high school. • She went the extra mile and was criticized by other teachers because teachers felt she was making them “look bad. ”

Newspapers argue the benefits: • Cathartic writing course records students pain. • Writing to heal: teenagers explore their problems through writing. • Literature transforms at-risk students. • Teacher stronger than fiction: troubled teens find hope. • Education: teacher Erin Gruewell used the Holocaust to teach students about tolerance. [Students] fill book about horrors of their own.

Diary Entry # 56 • I was getting everything off my chest and it felt damn good. I continued to tell the class that my father had molested my sister and how angry I was that my mother didn’t do anything when she found out about it. (Freedom Writer’s Diary) Comment demonstrates benefit “felt good”

Diary Entry # 136 • I write quotes, poems, journal entries, and stories everyday so that I can escape reality because sometimes it is unbearable. (Freedom Writer’s Diary) Benefit: shows a healthy escape opposed to negative coping strategies: drugs, drinking, violence, etc

Healthy escape in moderation • I recommend using leisure activities for health escape in moderation. • In example, writing, photography, visual imagery/ day dreaming, relaxing and other activities are beneficial. • They could become bad if a person uses them to avoid responsibility, i. e. day dreaming and writing creating stories about fantasy all day opposed to solving personal problems.

7 Habits of Highly Successful People Covey calls this habit: sharpening the saw. One person keeps using the saw to work. He scoffs at the second person for taking a break. The second person stops every so often to sharpen the saw. This person takes breaks from work to sharpen the saw. In the end the person with the shaper saw is getting more outcomes from the effort.

7 Habits of Highly Successful People Sharpening the saw means to take a break. Rest and restore your soul. Cliché – all work and no play makes Jill a dull girl

Another Benefit for Journaling • Peter Mass, a journalist for the New York Times encouraged and inspired students to continue to use writing as a form of empowerment rather then using violence. (Freedom Writer’s Diary) Overall, I (Danny P. ) highly recommend the book: The Freedom Writers.

A Message for Survivors: Let them know -- You’re not alone. There is probably a book/ published journal, biography for any situation your patient may be suffering.

War, Suffering, Discrimination Zlata Filipovic Zlata’s Diary She was 12 y. o. when her country Sarajevo was under attack. She kept a journal prior to the war until she was able to leave the country as a refugee.

Zlata's experiences: • Having no food, water, electricity, and gas for over one-year and during the harsh winter. • Not being able to go to school and play with her friends • The death of close friends, school mates, and family from snipers and bombs. • Having to live in a musty basement to stay alive.

Was journaling therapeutic? • Zlata said: writing was her salvation during the war and that it kept her sane. She suggested that writing might be one of the best vehicles for some of Mrs. Gruewell’s students to escape their horrific environments and personal demons. (Freedom Writer’s Diary, 1999).

Zlata on journaling • If I had a bad day, or I felt sad about something, and as soon as I was sad, bothered or worried, I knew where to turn to first – the diary. • Zlata is my age: 28. She had written her diary in 1992 at the age of 12. I don’t imagine many of us in here have suffered the fate that she had.

Zlata today: • Her diary, once published allowed her an opportunity to leave the country. • She graduated in 2001 with a B. A. in human sciences from the University of Oxford. She lives in Ireland works to promote human rights.

Physical Disability n Bethany Hamilton. Soul Surfer n Bethany was a teenage surfer living in Hawaii. She grew up in the ocean. Both of her parents were surfers. Her arm was bitten off in a rare shark attack, first recorded in the

Was her book therapeutic? • She had written her book with a spiritual advisor and an author. • Bethany poured her heart out to her spiritual advisor and pastor. • There are scientific studies that prove the healing benefits for “pouring emotions, ” which we will cover later today.

Bethany today • Bethany continues to surf today. Bethany was also featured in “Logan Magazine, ” which is a magazine that profiles successful young people with disabilities. • Logan Magazine could be great for bibliotherapy.

Logan Olson comments: • I (Danny P. ) had a friend request on myspace (back I 2003) from Logan Olson, the Creative Director of Logan Magazine. I was shocked she found me because I had recently read the book Soul Surfer. • Logan posted this comment: I sustained a brain injury in 2001, My RT always played UNO with me to get my hands working again. I loved my PT, OT and ST but I had a blast with my RT. Love, Logan • Logan said that she is living her dream by writing, creating and directing her magazine!

Dysfunctional Family Jeanette Walls The Glass Castle n Jeanette grew up with parents who did not have their priorities correct. They would not work. Father left child with known abuser. They would flee and move when bills piled up, yet they owned valuable property.

Was writing therapeutic? • Jeanette Walls stated: “Writing the book was hugely [therapeutic] on so many levels. (MSNBC Interview, 2005).

Substance Abuse Go Ask Alice Anonymous Book could offer therapeutic benefits from people in rehab trying to quit drugs/ drinking. n Alice kept a journal during her youth. It kept a detailed record of her thoughts and feelings and the time which she began to experiment with drugs. Ultimately, she died from an overdose.

What you need to start? • A journal, notebook, legal pad, or paper • Pencil, ink pens, colored ink pens work well with children and young teens, based on my personal experience. • A place to write. • Time to write. • It is that easy.

Use a timer • Roberta Allen (2002) suggests using a timer to help a person to concentrate/ focus her or his energy. • Set it for 10, 15, or 30 minutes and write non-stop regardless until the timer buzzes. • She argues that writing freely, leisurely, and spontaneously allows one’s true voice can be found. (Self-discovery).

Other Forms of Self-Expression • What if you do not like writing? Good news, there are other forms of self-expression that you can use! • According to the definition of Goodale & Godby, (1985) it is not leisure if it is “forced. ” • According to Allen (2002) one finds their true voice (selfconcept) through free, leisurely writing.

Motivation Techniques • Deci & Flaste (1995) Why we do what we do: the dynamics of personal autonomy: have a four-step process for developing internal motivation. 1. Provide a rationale for the behavior, in this case: writing. 2. Acknowledge the person’s feelings 3. Invite them to try 4. Allow them to make the choice.

Internal vs. External Motivation • Deci & Flaste (1995) are opposed to rewarding a person for completing an appropriate behavior because this puts the focus on the external “getting a reward” opposed to the internal “enjoying the behavior: in this case: writing. ” • The behavior, writing, in this case should be the real reward.

The Real Reward • Anne Lamott (1994) in her book: Bird-by-bird: some instructions on writing and life argues that a person should enjoy the process of writing (internal motivation) opposed to being focused on getting published (external reward) because those who write for the money often create work that is phony to the reader. The reader wants a real piece of creative art, which can only be created by one who loves to write.

“But I have too much to tell. ” • What if you’ve had many experiences, too much bad to write? • Use the bird-by-bird technique by Lamott (1994). • She had to write a report on birds and her father told her: Anne, just do it bird-by-bird, in other words, one at a time. • Use baby-steps from what about Bob movie.

Activity # 1 • Let’s play a little game. • First, I want to give thanks to Hal Urban for special written permission to re-use this activity. • Select any 3 words from the sheet. • Use each of the 3 words in a different sentence in the question box.

Words • Depressed, Sad, War, Divorce, Fight, Argument, Pain, Loss, Fired, Break-up, Death, heartburn, sickness, scared, anxious

Activity # 1 I’m going to read a few sentences What type of emotions come to mind when you read these sentences?

Activity # 2 • Complete the same process with these words. • Select any 3 words from the list • Use the 3 words, each in a different sentence at the bottom of your paper. • Were these sentences more positive?

Words • Joyful. Happy. Peace. Married. Friendship. Cooperation. Health, Hired, Birth, Wellness, Safe, Secure, puppy

Activity # 2 I’m going to read a few sentences What type of emotions come to mind when you read these sentences?

The purpose of this activity? • To understand the positive effects of words in our life. • It does not matter if you say think about it or don’t think about it, the fact that the word crosses your mind, you have thought about it. • Focus on the positive. • Keep a gratitude journal to help you focus on the positive!

What are you grateful for? It’s a great question to ask daily. I like to do ask this as a warm-up question at start of group.

Positive words mean: • An increase in the number of positive words in a person’s journal could demonstrate an increase in a more positive attitude. • At the start of treatment, kids I work with might say, “nothing. ” or they might give a complaint and offer something that is upsetting them during gratitude time. Sometimes they’ll share what they’re hopeful for.

Elderly and the power of words • Experiment: Willing people who are elder were randomly selected and sent to one of two rooms to learn instructions for test. • In room 1: the instructor used words like: weak, puny, fragile, forgetful. • In room 2: the instructor used words like: smart, experienced, strong willed, etc. • They were told to walk down hall to a different room to complete activity.

The real test • There was not a major activity in the room down the hall. • They timed how long it took for the person who was elder to walk down the hall. • Which group do you think walked minutes faster? • Naturally, those who had the instructor who used positive words.

To increase positive attitude • I have my patients to keep a “Grateful Journal. ” One x per week. • It is a scrapbook, which they keep pictures, drawings, stickers, quotes, and items that they are grateful for. • They can open their book anytime to increase positive feeling of being grateful. • Technique is great for psych facilities.

Positive Reflections Journal Entry • According to (Pennebaker, 1990) an increase in positive words is an indicator of an increase in health. • A moderate number of negative words is an indicator of good health. • Very high and very low levels of negative words is an indicator of poor health. Low because person is avoiding truth.

Adaptive Techniques • Poor grip: Use a pencil grip, or get a small nerf ball and push the pencil/ ink pen through the middle to allow the person a better grip. • Use a tape recorder. Expressing emotions via speaking can be beneficial as well.

The use of drawing • At the facility I work, I had a little boy who refused to speak about his abuse issues with his individual counselor. • I am pleased to acknowledge that it was the recreation therapist who helped him to open up and start talking about his abuse through a creative arts project, which they designed their own life comic book.

The backwards comic • He drew amazing pictures, but his comic was backwards. • He had written and drew pictures about his mother being on crack, the men who would sexually abuse them at the crack house, and picking up cans on I-64 to recycle in order to buy food for self and younger brother.

Manga Technique • The boy told me that he was making his comic correct and that I (Danny P. ) did not know anything about comics. • I grew up with Batman, Spiderman. • He grew up with Manga and Japanese art. • He introduced his book to me. His book was interesting that it read: “Property of: such-and-such county public library. ”

Is drawing therapeutic? The story of “Sparky” by Earl Nightingale is also the author of The Strangest Secret Recording And is considered to be the founder of The self-help field.

Who was Sparky? • Charles Shultz. Creator of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, the Peanuts.

Research on journaling • The majority of research on the topic of journaling and the healing power of expressing emotions had been completed by James Pennebaker, Ph. D. • Jounraing is an evidenced based practice

Pennebaker studied: • People who have lost jobs • Had spouse to recently die • Survivors of Holocaust • Rape victims • New mothers • Students from grade school to med

Benefits for writing or art • Writing about upsetting events provides both physical and psychological benefits. • Writing about an issue allows a person to resolve a difficult problem: divorce, death of a loved one, war, financial ruin, disability, public humiliation, etc. • It is a basic need to express one self, rather visual arts, dance, etc. Von Gough had twisted visions or art. Hank Williams Jr. has conflicting musical themes. Writing is just one creative art for expression, like other master pieces.

Pennebaker on Benefits: • Clears the mind • Resolves traumas • Improves memory • Increase problem-solving skills • Increases ability to cope • Increase creativity • Writing is preventative maintenance/ health promotion.

Evidence suggests: • Writing can improve affect/ mood • Improve immune system/ improve health. • One study by Pennebaker and Ball revealed based on blood samples taken shortly after writing, that those who had written about deepest thoughts and feelings had increase immune cells compared to those who had written about superficial topics.

Activity # 3 • Problems in my life: • Thoughts about the problem: • Emotions about the problem: • Effective thoughts: • Solutions to the problem:

Activity # 4 • Color my heart activity • Create a list of emotions • Put a color for each emotion. • Color the heart based on how you’re currently feeling. Do it again at the end of treatment.

Challenge • Create something to express the real you so you’ll be understood or so that you can simply understand yourself more. • You have free choice: write a book, create a painting, a collection of paintings or doodle art in a journal. • Create anything. • I’ll even promote it at rec therapy today if you want it out there.

Wrap-up • We discussed the health benefits of journaling • We discussed what a person needs to start a journaling program • We discussed some adaptive techniques. I believe we covered all of the learning objectives for this session.

Question and Answer Time Feel free to ask questions Make sure you get your CEU sheet punched for this session. Make sure you signed-up for the slides if you wanted them. Your friend, Danny.