Reflecting on the last four months, I realize what a journey it has been. Being

Reflecting on the last four months, I realize what a journey it has been. Being placed at the Cancer resource centers and Sankofa Counseling was a blessing, and I am forever grateful for the experience. Meeting Dr. Fish and feeling inspired the first day I met her, reading her book, and listening to her stories of her journey through art therapy have forever inspired me to become a better person and art therapist. Our practicum cohort was filled with stories, growth, love, and companionship; you felt it each Tuesday evening during our Zoom meetings. I sure will miss our breathwork chime to begin each session.  
Walking in the doors on the first day, I prayed that I would feel welcomed and that this journey would be a learning experience. Each class I have taken has prepared me for this, but being present with clients has a new meaning. Throughout this semester, my practicum experience as an upcoming art therapist was loaded with noteworthy events and moments of revelation. In other words, during the cancer group sessions, I experienced exhilarating moments, including the restorative power of art, self-reflection, associations, and conviction. These encounters have cultivated a deeper insight into my growth and the complexities of the art therapy process. For instance, observing clients express their feelings, concerns, and aspirations via artistic expression has proven to be a poignant encounter in my growth. This experience has further affirmed my conviction on the effectiveness of art therapy as a therapeutic modality. One of my aha moments was observing clients understand something vital about themselves for the first time and how they joined the dots between their past and the present. It was inspiring to watch it unfold.
During my practicum, I have seen the notable therapeutic significance of art in the cancer clientele. Accordingly, the art piece I created symbolizes significant transformations, providing a wide range of therapeutic advantages to underpin the processes of healing, self-expression, and personal development. For instance, the deliberate correlation between the hues in the art assists clients in visualizing the concepts of self-reflection, emotional processing, self-expression, coping mechanisms, and connection with others. Consequently, the art catalyzes profound change, facilitating the process of healing self-expression and embarking on a transforming journey of self-discovery and personal development. On the other hand, the glass-slumped vessel has diverse hues and shapes that hold profound symbolic significance. For example, the primary focal point of this artistic composition is an orange-hued shape with a complex arrangement of wires that stretch outward. The vessel conveys the pain and suffering of the clients, while the wires highlight the therapy; the placement of the dark-face silhouettes at the center of the vessel illustrates the essence of the therapeutic process.
The artwork exhibits a deliberate use of color, with each hue embodying distinct characteristics of my educational journey and personal encounters. For example, the red in the wire and butterfly signifies the enthusiasm and vigor I have committed to my academic pursuits and my position as a future art therapist. The purple butterfly merges the concepts of change and development. The observed transformation in myself and my clients is a testament to the significant personal development and technical advancement I have experienced as a future art therapist. The blue wire, within the framework of my artistic work, exemplifies the profound dynamic states accessed via art therapy. The statement encapsulates the embodiment of vulnerability and the introspective journey seen within the context of the therapeutic process.
The presence of butterflies and the leaves (which I created for each cohort member) at the bottom floating in gold represents the multifaceted display of individuals’ experiences and feelings in the therapeutic setting. Like each butterfly’s geometric forms, clients have distinct attributes, including chronologies and obstacles. The wires demonstrate the interaction between the art therapist and client, which serves as a metaphor for the complicated nature of this therapeutic process. This artwork is bittersweet to me as it highlights my practicum’s journey and termination.