The ICI Experience:

Traditional Guatemalan Worry Dolls A healing doll is an alternative form of journal writing that helps to externalize your feelings. It is a doll that can hold your feelings so that you no longer have to, and it can be an active and supportive process for healing that can be used alone or in conjunction with a diary. Here are some examples of Healing Dolls by Barb Kobe : This one totally reminds me of when I'm having an IBS episode. When I was first figuring out what was going on with that, my counselor asked me to draw what I was feeling. I couldn't get it on paper and finally got some clay to depict the "wounded feeling in gut (WFIG)" that I had come to know the feelings as. "Digesting My Life" healing doll by Barb Kobe This cutie is a Guardian doll by Marla, from Barb Kobe's Medicine Doll Class . Very symbolic. Read about her if you are interested. Dawning of a New Day, Steve's Healing Doll Steve is Barb's brother, and she had his permis...

photo courtesy of unknown flickr photographer Arts and Healing Network is probably the best place to start learning about the power of art to heal. There are links to all of the movers and shakers in the art therapy field; there's an excellent newletter; the Projects section has links to ongoing projects all over the world; the Inspiration section has MORE great links; and there's a section for artists to find out about grants and to collect resurces. Arts and Healing Network is an on-line resource celebrating the connection between art and healing. Our web site serves as an international resource for anyone interested in the healing potential of art, especially environmentalists, social activists, artists, art professionals, health care practitioners, and those challenged by illness. Our hope is that the information presented here will educate and inspire. This series will attempt to provide a sampling of some of the different kinds of art therapy available, and to explain w...