Art Therapy with a Mexican-American Girl who Seeks Emotional Comfort through Binge Eating

Beatriz Ramirez

Presentation Overview

Comfort FoodBinge EatingFamily Role in Binge EatingClient ProfileCase StudyConclusionPersonal Experiences as an Art Therapist

Comfort Food

Nostalgic and sentimental appeal

Physiological and psychological motivations (Wansink, Cheney, & Chan, 2003).

Addictive qualities

Binge Eating

Overeating and loss of control (Fairburn, 1995)

Characteristics of a binge

FeelingsSpeed of eatingAgitationFeeling of altered consciousnessSecretivenessLoss of control

Triggers, Causes and Factors

Family Role in Binge Eating

Family Dynamic Dysfunction Concealed Problems (Ringer and Crittenden, 2007)

Insecure attachment (Sharpe et al., 1996)

Internal emptiness (Maine, 1991)

Introduction to Site

Private non-profit organization in the Colorado Front Range

Focuses on relieving isolation, reducing the stress of parenting, and prevent child abuse and neglect by providing outreach

Offer group and individual psychotherapy and art therapy

Client Profile and History

Ten year old Mexican-American girl

Born and raised in the Colorado Front Range

Heart shaped face with soft pink cheeks, big black eyes, long lashes, and shy but warm smile

Olive complexion and a little overweight

Her voice is soft and has a delicate sound

Her speech is clear but has an accent when speaking English

Her native language is Spanish

Client History

Currently going through major family and financial stressors.

Weight problems since the age of seven.

She was assessed for binge eating and anxiety.

Developmental and Educational History

At Erik Erikson's “industry vs. inferiority” stage of development (Eccles, 1999)

Enrolled in the fifth grade in a public school

Her aspirations are to become an architect

Case Study“Denielle”

Reasons for Seeking Therapy

Entered therapy at mother's request

Shyness, anxiety, lack of initiative, negative body image, and eating issues.

Occasional binge, especially when nervous and restless.

Eats rapidly and big portions

Eats four to five times during the day

Loves making art

Theoretical Perspective & Application

Client-Centered Expressive Art Therapy

Integration of Carl Roger's client-centered, and Natalie Roger's expressive art therapy approaches.

Client-Centered Therapy

Assist people in becoming more autonomous, spontaneous, and confident (Malchiodi, 2003).

Expressive Art Therapy

People are capable of expressing rather than repressing their own maladjustments (Malchiodi, 2003).

Theoretical Perspective & Application

Facilitate the growth of the individual (Rogers, 2001).Active and empathetic “seeing” (Rogers, 2001).Unconditional, positive regards for a person's art expression (Malchiodi, 2003).Proven beneficial in eating disorder treatment (Palmera, 2009).Used this approach to visually explore feelings and provide luscious buffet of art materials as alternative to binge eating.Integrated classical music, scented candles, and movement.

Kramer Art Evaluation

Background

Initiated by Edith Kramer in 1974 with the assistance of Art Therapist Jane Field, ATR (Kramer, 2000).

Rationale

Gain as much information in the first session to see a sample of her art work

Interaction with art materials

Observe how child handles directives

Get feel for values and how she sees herself

Artwork from the Kramer Evaluation

Pencil Drawing

Painting

Clay Sculpture

Artwork from the Kramer EvaluationPencil Drawing

Artwork from the Kramer EvaluationPainting

Artwork from the Kramer Evaluation Clay Sculpture

Child's Attitude During the Sessions

Cooperative, respectful, and warm

Painting appears loose and playful

Drawing seems rigid and controlled

Took time get comfortable working with clay

Art Therapy Treatment Plan

Assets/Strengths:

Good student

Friendly, warm

Ability to stay focused

Adapts easily to art materials

Art Therapy Treatment Plan

Goals:Build rapport and trust.

Create a safe place to encourage expression of feelings.

Increase client's ability to asset herself by making more independent choices with art materials.

Increase client's ability to cope with food related issues.

Art Therapy Treatment PlanArt-Based Interventions

Third hand intervention

Story telling

Provided client with an array of art materials to feed her needs and indulge her senses with color, and texture

Provided tools to reduce stress and anxiety

Sessions

“The Night Starry Skies”

“Colors”

“Fence with Grapes”

“A Dark Place”

“Together, Side-by-Side”

“A Yummy World”

Conclusions

She has overcome her shyness, and has become more assertive

She has been able to cope with stress and anxiety

She has been more communicative during the discussion of her artwork

She still struggles with binge eating, but is able to manage overeating impulse by making art

Food themes still appear in art during non-directive activities

Joint session with mother and sister

Personal Experiences as anArt Therapist

Leading groups in Spanish

Countertransference

Learned to follow my client's lead

Self-Care

Questions ?