Just to be clear...this isn't a blog post debating the pros and cons of mask wearing. Nope not at all!
I had a realization this week that there may be individuals who might be seeking counselling services, are looking through my website and they may be curious about how I look with and without a mask. 
So I thought I would do a quick blog post and share!
I love seeing people's faces, but it's also amazing to see just how expressive our eyes, eyebrows, brows and cheeks can be (any facial part that is not covered by a mask).
Our voices, body posture, hand gestures all add into the many ways that we express ourselves to others. Add in Art Therapy and there is an additional way for self-expression!
So whether you choose to seek in person counselling (mask on) or online counselling (mask off)...you will be met with my smiling eyes!

     How do we re-engage our senses after lengthy times spent in front of a screen and technology?
        One sure fire way is to get outside.
               Surround yourself in the natural world.
Give yourself space and time to engage all of your senses.
Sight, Touch, Smell, Hearing, Taste.

• Leave technology behind. (Yes, this means your phone & music) and unplug for a few moments. 
• Give yourself a moment to pause.                                     (You'll be surprised at how many sounds you will hear when you are still versus when you are on the move).
• Invite curiosity along.
• The natural world is filled with different textures.           (When was the last time you held a smooth pebble?)
• Take a deep intentional breath.                                         (Is there a subtle scent that you had yet to notice?)
• Change your viewpoint & perspective.                               (What happens when you are up close to something small on the ground? What do you notice that you may have missed?)

If finding lengthy amounts of time to reconnect with the natural world is an issue, aim for smaller moments.

      An art journal can be constructed and created using a blank sketchbook, created by building a handmade book or by altering a pre-existing book. Even the notions of what a "book" may look like is wide open for personal interpretation. An art journal can be a visual record of  ideas, a place for dreams, for questions, for musings, your inner thoughts and for recording your life experiences. Art journals hold limitless possibilities for your creative exploration and self-expression.
       Watch for future blog posts about different materials that can be used for art journaling.