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Arts Counselling session / Anthroposophic Art Therapy

Our sessions are confidential, they involve open conversations and the production of images, followed by subjective and objective observation of artwork. Images may be provided, created by the client or the therapist, and in some cases co-created, depending on specific needs. It is an experience of honouring space and time with one another while exploring different art techniques and materials. Sessions vary according to each particular situation and in agreement with the clients. Different components and techniques are incorporated along the duration of the sessions to promote neuroplasticity and balance.

The exercises are simple, and the focus is on the creative process rather than the result. The counselling process prioritises compassionate listening, guidance, and objective observation rather than image reading. Anthroposophic art therapy, however, can be prescribed by a doctor pointing out a specific ailment. The holistic approach allows interventions that address spiritual, social-emotional, and physical wellbeing.

The ultimate goal is to awaken and strengthen the sense of self, reason for which decision making is a key element for clients to exercise agency in life. ” If you have never heard of art therapy, please look at this video”.

No prior experience is required

ONLINE OR IN PERSON

Who benefits from Arts Counselling / Anthroposophic Arts Therapy

Anyone undergoing a transition period or carrying questions within benefits from working with integrative practices like Arts Counselling. These processes bring forward parts of ourselves that may not be easy to discuss or even perceive through regular interactions. It allows the participants to reframe their approach to their difficulties and perceive broader patterns in their lives. There are a lot of benefits that may come from working with images, and it is important to remain open to exploring different techniques.

Art Walk in Nature / Goethean Observation

The practice of shinrin-yoku originated in Japan and it has gained popularity worldwide due to its preventive and restorative effect, as it promotes relaxation and immune function recovery. My work seeks to foster a reconnection with our natural state of health using our surroundings as models for that purpose. Being outdoors has always been an important part of my personal health practices, and it is highly valued in my practice both in art and therapeutic processes.

For what concerns outdoor sessions, we focus on the observation of rhythms in nature; restoring our life forces is one of the main benefits of this modality. Mindful walking is a great opportunity to move energy that may be stuck within us, it offers a chance to express ourselves while moving, which allows for more opportunities for communication than an enclosed space. It is also a chance for sensory exploration, and it provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

There are different locations in which this practice can be offered. We can visit a number of sites in the bay area and occasionally in other areas according to the client’s location. California has a large number of national parks and natural areas that offer breathtaking views and wonderful hike opportunities. I work with client’s preferred locations. In the same way in which other modalities are addressed, this activity is not meant for a physical challenge, but it is rather oriented towards the process.

Art materials are a part of this package, as well as drinks, snacks, and photos if requested. First aid kit is available in case of minor injuries, which are thankfully very rare. Our walks are generally within the lowest level of difficulty, unless client

¹ Hansen, H. et al. (2017), “Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5580555/

requests otherwise. I have travelled a lot within Peru, my country of birth, and among other places in Europe, North America and South America. My experience guiding groups allows me to encourage people to explore outdoor spaces in a safe, responsible, and sustainable manner.

No prior experience is required.

Art-Based Psychedelic/Entheogenic Integration (IN PERSON OR ONLINE)

This workshop is a result of my research through working in wellness retreats and my personal experiences with plant spirit medicines such as Ayahuasca and Sampedro. In Peru, my birth place, the knowledge and traditional use of ayahuasca practised by native Amazonian communities was declared National Cultural Heritage by the government in 2008. Although there is currently a growing interest in psychedelics and their potential for medicinal use, it is still uncommon to hear the voices of native Amazonian practitioners in leadership discussions on these subjects. My contribution is to bring into the experience of psychedelics the voices of the spiritual teachers and healers with whom I learned to respect and understand plant medicines beyond their physical effect, supporting psychological distress, emotional dysregulation, and spiritual emergencies.

I work with people who follow conventional medical treatment with psychedelics, as well as with those who partake in the ceremonial use of entheogens. In most cases, the experience lasts far beyond the physical symptoms, and the medicine continues to work for an extended period of time, sometimes months or even years after the intake. This is why it is important to acknowledge the mood changes, somatic-sensory hypersensitivity, and other symptoms that may occur after the consumption of such medicines. In particular, I recommend keeping an open mind toward the insight provided by different entheogenic experiences and avoiding “frozen thoughts” that interfere with the flow of the medicine in our system. By allowing images to move and working with shapes and colours, we stir up the memory of our work with the medicine and get a better grasp of how to make life changes that may be needed while also integrating our experiences back into our daily routine. 4 weekly sessions recommended, online or in person.

Online Group Workshops

The following is a catalogue of existing workshops, and it is updated regularly. A minimum of five participants is required to start a group workshop.

Biographic Imagery & Narrative in Biography – 9 monthly sessions, starting in May and November. A possibility of meeting in person is open depending on the availability of the participants. This is based on the work on biography by Gudrun Burkhard, and it incorporates elements of Narrative Exposure Therapies. It addresses biography through images, some of them through meditation and other times through guided production of images. It is based on the seven life processes and cycles of seven years in our lives, and it is recommended for people 35 years old and older. Art materials are quite simple, so most people will find this workshop very easy to follow online. Schedule TBD. If interested, please subscribe or email: silviatafur@gmail.com /info@silviatafur.com

Warmth and darkness – 7 sessions, Wednesday evenings. (2 per month recommended). I created this workshop inspired by my numerous clients who struggle with sleeping disturbances, depression, and fear. I created a series of exercises to foster relaxation and a better balance between our awakening and sleeping forces. These sessions can be in person or online, materials are watercolour paints, paint brushes, and watercolour paper. Alternatively, claywork can be offered, too.

Psychedelic/Entheogenic Integration – 4 weekly sessions recommended. This is for people who benefit from sharing their experiences in groups, it is tailored to create a ceremonial space within your lifestyle, whether you are religious or not. Ceremonies and rituals (understanding ritual in a broad sense, like used in a phrase “morning ritual”) help us bring rhythm into our lives, they help with the integration of pivotal experiences and allow us time for bringing our inner life back to balance within a busy schedule. The workshop allows people to create a space for self reflection, continuing with the work they do during the intake of plant spirit medicines and during their retreats.

Light and Form – 3 weekly sessions recommended. During my practice, I have encountered a number of people for whom color can be overwhelming or just not the right fit. This is why working with charcoal or clay provides an alternative option. This workshop incorporates a therapeutic approach to art through exercises on light and darkness inspired in the work of Collot d’Herbois and working on clay inspired by the sculptor Gertraud Goodwin and her work on the metamorphosis of the form.

Wellness Retreats / Spiritual Renewal - Please subscribe for updates & newsletter

Wellness retreats are dedicated to foster holistic wellbeing, they are usually great opportunities for profound healing from long-lasting trauma of chronic suffering from different ailments. Some retreats last one day only, which allows for a gentle introduction to my work. Other retreats involve traveling, and they are always located in safe spaces where every part of the trip is arranged in advance. We offer no substitute for medical treatments, but we can help you find medical support if required during your stay. Here are some offers that you may consider:

PERU

My journeys to the Peruvian jungle started at the age of eleven in Amazonas, Peru, from where my family is originally. I am from the coastal city of Lima, but I have travelled through rivers, mountains, and the jungle numerous times. Even though many times it was hard, I do not regret a single minute. It was very difficult for a city child to walk muddy roads, live without bathrooms for months, and be bitten by mosquitos constantly; but I survived, and the experience changed me forever. I am fearless and confident in nature as I feel it within me, and I try to bring this experience of wholeness to my clients through art and nature exploration. This is not about tourism in exotic places or wilderness camps, but more about connection with our home through exploration of landscapes and sustainable practices in rural areas. You set up your boundaries of comfort, and different locations are available depending on the time of the year. Subscribe for more information.

CANADA

My first journey to Canada was in 2008, sponsored through the International Democratic Conference that took place at the University of British Columbia. I truly appreciated the generosity and kindness of the people who supported my work on Art & Sustainability, and I felt at home in this beautiful city, but more at home in its natural areas, and I always longed to be back.

Years later, I married my husband, who was born in BC, and whose parents were professors at UBC. I have been able to come back to BC, and make friends who share the same ideals of a world that is connected through a spiritual bond and a fair interaction with one another. I am still discovering my connection with this culture, and I plan to attend a sun dance this year, invited by a dear new friend from the First Nations. The interaction with First Nations in Canada has been the most amazing experience in this country, and I am deeply grateful to them for their immense contribution to my personal wellbeing and their hard work to make this world a better place for everyone.

After experiencing the healing power of drums, singing, and sweat lodges, my work with these communities has started to take form. I plan to hold a retreat here once a year, although there are other practitioners who offer different options that I can recommend, you can schedule a 15 minute consultation for more information. If you are interested in attending a retreat in BC, Canada, please subscribe. More information to come!

UNITED STATES

The area where I live and work offers magnificent opportunities for 1 day workshops and weekend getaways. I am currently not planning longer retreats, but I do offer seasonal workshops for individuals and families. I move between Northern California and East Central Florida, and I would love to create opportunities for social art and longer retreats in these areas, so if you are interested, please subscribe.

info@silviatafur.com