Business Spotlight: Jennifer Kramer Art Therapy
Business Spotlight: Jennifer Kramer Art Therapy
It’s perhaps well known at this point that art has incredible emotive properties. We’ve all been touched by something, a painting or piece of music at some point in our lives. Art taps into a fundamental, foundational element of our humanity which transcends mere language and enables us to convey what words alone can’t. This is what makes art therapy a powerful tool when recovering from psychological trauma. Jennifer Kramer, an art therapist with a studio here at Mellwood, knows this, not just as a therapist, but as a survivor of narcissistic abuse as well.
Initially, Jennfier worked as an art therapist helping kids. Unfortunately, she found herself in a toxic relationship with an abusive narcissist. After leaving that relationship, Jennifer used her knowledge and experience in art therapy to inform her art making; she used the very techniques she uses with clients today to heal. Jennifer knew she needed to use her knowledge and experience as a survivor to help other women.
Typically, Jennifer will start her clients with making art, and then follows that up with responsive writing discussing the client’s art. This process, a refined version of Pat Allen’s Studio Process she refers to as the Redefined Process, helps clients first open and access their emotions and then process those feelings. It’s important to note that trauma is sometimes compartmentalized. This process not only engages the creative and analytical parts of the brain, but also helps bridge the different parts of the mind so that the client is conscious of the stored trauma and can begin healing.
In addition to one-on-one art therapy session, which can be done in-person or via telehealth, Jennifer offers small group workshops. Outside of art therapy, she offers an online coaching program, again for groups or individuals. She also has a free Facebook group survivors can join to share with, encourage, and support other survivors.
From now until September 25th, Jennifer has a Kickstarter campaign running. This campaign is meant to help raise funds for community art and other projects. Her current project is “I Deserve to Take Up Space,” which works to empower survivors of narcissistic abuse and undo the damage done to their sense of self-worth. You find her Kickstarter at kickstarter.com/projects/jenniferannekramer/using-art-to-redefine-identity-after-narcissistic-abuse. For more information, please visit her link tree page at linktr.ee/jenniferakramer. You can also find her on Facebook at @jenniferkramerarttherapy or Instagram at @jenniferannekramer.
It’s perhaps well known at this point that art has incredible emotive properties. We’ve all been touched by something, a painting or piece of music at some point in our lives. Art taps into a fundamental, foundational element of our humanity which transcends mere language and enables us to convey what words alone can’t. This is what makes art therapy a powerful tool when recovering from psychological trauma. Jennifer Kramer, an art therapist with a studio here at Mellwood, knows this, not just as a therapist, but as a survivor of narcissistic abuse as well.
Initially, Jennfier worked as an art therapist helping kids. Unfortunately, she found herself in a toxic relationship with an abusive narcissist. After leaving that relationship, Jennifer used her knowledge and experience in art therapy to inform her art making; she used the very techniques she uses with clients today to heal. Jennifer knew she needed to use her knowledge and experience as a survivor to help other women.
Typically, Jennifer will start her clients with making art, and then follows that up with responsive writing discussing the client’s art. This process, a refined version of Pat Allen’s Studio Process she refers to as the Redefined Process, helps clients first open and access their emotions and then process those feelings. It’s important to note that trauma is sometimes compartmentalized. This process not only engages the creative and analytical parts of the brain, but also helps bridge the different parts of the mind so that the client is conscious of the stored trauma and can begin healing.
In addition to one-on-one art therapy session, which can be done in-person or via telehealth, Jennifer offers small group workshops. Outside of art therapy, she offers an online coaching program, again for groups or individuals. She also has a free Facebook group survivors can join to share with, encourage, and support other survivors.
From now until September 25th, Jennifer has a Kickstarter campaign running. This campaign is meant to help raise funds for community art and other projects. Her current project is “I Deserve to Take Up Space,” which works to empower survivors of narcissistic abuse and undo the damage done to their sense of self-worth. You find her Kickstarter at kickstarter.com/projects/jenniferannekramer/using-art-to-redefine-identity-after-narcissistic-abuse. For more information, please visit her link tree page at linktr.ee/jenniferakramer. You can also find her on Facebook at @jenniferkramerarttherapy or Instagram at @jenniferannekramer.