Just a little update to make simpler one of my drawings that had been bouncing round today. This simple shift in words changes the narrative around who is responsible for unequitable access to services...
I visited a medium secure unit yesterday and asked the psychologist there if he does therapy. He showed me this framework by
@KimSGolding
. I thought it was such a good way of showing the different intervention needs that come before therapy that I decided to draw it...
I'm also going to start uploading my social justice images for anyone to download. It may take me a while to get them all up, but this first one is up...
Here's an update to a previous drawing of the
#stressbucket
I have added community connection to the healthy coping tap. I feel we need to move away from centering individualised approaches to distress.
The trauma trigger tap is a different take on how our buckets can overflow
I've just started a placement in a service for asylum seekers and refugees and wanted to create something that highlights the challenges faced in accessing appropriate health care...
Today's illustration was inspired by my current placement in a traumatic stress service. As well as commonly known trauma issues like flashbacks, so many of those I work with have physical issues too. I'm very much still learning about this so welcome any links to more info...
Happy new year ❤ This time last year I had no idea how much people would like my scruffy little drawings and still dont really understand why you do. But I am so thankful to you all for the support with my little side hustle 😊
Here's my first of 2022 the
#windowoftolerance
...
Here is an updated version of my drawing of
@KimSGolding
pyramid of need. This one showing that these elements are not necessarily sequential stages. Some may be needed before others, though some people can engage in therapy without the things underneath...
Another one of my illustrations: this time a model that is etched into my mind when I think about those I am working with. Bronfenbrenner's
#ecologicalsystemstheory
I can't claim the idea for this drawing, I've just jazzed it up and made it digital 🪄🎨. It was the formulation model we used in a
#CAMHS
service for children who had been
#adopted
/were in
#fostercare
. We used it in training sessions and when thinking about individual children
Another drawing inspired by a story told by
@abyrne8391
that has stayed with me. I really feel some of us future psychologists need to be trained to facilitate bridge building as well as skills to pull people out of the river or teach them to swim
#communitypsychology
This is an update to a set of images I did a year ago, now with an inconsistent care cycle. I used to use this in Training a lot to thing about how behaviours we develop that are seen as maladaptive are actually highly adaptive.
Retweet only, do not copy. Thanks 😊
This is the second adaptation of the Power Threat Meaning Framework I've drawn. I hope it brings some clarity to an interesting but complex framework developed by
@ClinpsychLucy
and Mary Boyle as an alternative to the diagnostic model.
#powerthreatmeaningframework
#ptmf
My latest drawing is for the problem solvers among us. Sitting with uncomfortable and upsetting feelings can be so powerful for people (while keeping one hand on the ladder out of that hole)...
Here's my latest drawing on a popular
#grounding
technique. Can be used by therapists/teachers/parents to keep themselves regulated or with those we work with/care for...
I've realised there's a few drawings ive not shared on twitter yet. So here is the first of a few I'll try and share over the next few days. This one is a classic, but I added the trauma tap as a way of representing the flood of stress that can be triggered by trauma reminders...
A slight update to an old illustration. As well as coming up with innovative mop designs (which can also be brilliant and needed), let's also try and turn down the taps on the factors that so often underpin or perpetuate distress...
This latest drawing transforms the popular
#stressbucket
metaphor into one for sensory overstimulation. The examples I give are not exhaustive lists or representative of everyone. What would you add to any of the examples?
The Herman (1992)
#traumarecovery
model is a well known structure for trauma therapy. I illustrated it for my previous placement so thought I'd share if anyone finds it useful in their work...
The reasons for self harm are multiple and often caused by contexts of powerlessness and distress. Curiosity can lead to compassion, which can lead to helping someone develop alternative ways of meeting needs. Or sometimes/often, it is the context that just needs to change...
Todays drawing is about trying to grow and listen to an inner mentor to go alongside our inner criticism (which for most of us is always there, but we don't have to listen to it so much!)...
⚠️*racial trauma trigger warning* ⚠️
This drawing has been percolating for a while... The weathering hypothesis proposed by Arline Geronimus (1992) suggests that racial health disparities can be explained by the chronic physical impact of inequality and discrimination...
My main doctoral research has been exploring community led organisations . Arnstein's ladder of citizen participation has been useful in helping me understand different levels of participation and where the power sits so I thought I'd draw a version for others to use...
I first came across this approach to narrative therapy developed by
@Ncazelo1
and
@DavidDenborough
in a lecture with
@abyrne8391
. I'm looking forward to bringing it into my future work. But for now, I'm happy for my illustrations to be used by those trained in the approach...
Slight change to the one just posted...My latest drawing was inspired by a talk a few weeks ago by
@BPSOfficial
@DCP_London
on tackling social class inequalities as part of the campaign to make social class a protected characteristic
#makeit10
...
I think it's important to provide balance to my individualistic focussed drawings from time to time. So here is a reminder that while therapy etc. can be liberating and life saving, sometimes people just need life conditions to change to feel less distress.
#communitypsychology
Latest drawing is about continuing bonds theory: in contrast to narratives about getting over loss, this says keeping a relationship alive in a different way can be healthy and helpful
Share how you have you maintained bonds after loss in comments for others to see...
I'm aware that elevating individualistic approaches such as mindfulness removes focus on changing contexts and places responsibility on the individual.
But while we chip away at system change, it can still be useful to draw on metaphors such as this...
There's nothing wrong with seeking out attention. Attention from others is often important for survival, especially when we are vulnerable. But attention-seeking has become such a negative phrase that a reframe might help shift the narrative...
I've refreshed this illustration after a conference at
@UWEBristol
last week.
Removing barriers to health services is not about equality. It's about equity. And to be equitable is to actively address barriers...
A metaphor I first heard on a
#trauma
podcast, but I know is often used in
#acceptanceandcommitmentherapy
(ACT). Avoidance is a normal, understandable and sometimes necessary response to discomfort and pain, but facing things when safe can be helpful long term.
The legacy of overwhelming traumatic experiences can occur on multiple levels (many more than I have listed here, including on a community level)...
How do we heal on an individual and community level? Even better how do we prevent trauma occurring in the first place?
A little reminder that though many children are ready, the transition to secondary school can be a lot. For some children it can feel overwhelming - even if they mask it well. See my instagram post for ideas to make transition a less difficukt and more positive experience.
I played this long ago with children in schools to develop familiarity with feelings conversations. Yes; it's probably bad to pair a nice time with sugar when I work in the NHS, but also...yes, it has so many pluses!
Potential benefits in the comments (please add yours too)...
I'm hoping to create some "feelings cards" that are better representative of the visual differences of humans (e.g. Birthmarks, different skin tones) What would you like to see? Where I have to so far as an example...
Everyone deserves safety and freedom and safe routes to get that. Trying to stop unsafe routes won't work. People are driven to survive and avoid suffering so will continue to risk death. I hope this post helps you see that
@pritipatel
@ukhomeoffice
@BorisJohnson
.
@chooselove
I don't think I ever posted this one either. Drawn after some forensic teaching a year or so ago. Chronic abuse can lead to such protective behaviour that it masks the fear behind a fight response. I'm not condoning behaviour but I believe compassion is essential for change...
This is my most recent drawing, inspired by my current placement in
#fcamhs
and the importance of trying to understand the lenses people are seeing the world through (which can often help us understand the subsequent behaviour better)...
Since starting a qualified role with asylum seeking children, I've not produced many political drawings; I think because I can't think too deeply about the harshness of systems around them. But last weeks news story about welcoming cartoons being painted over really got to me 😡
This metaphor came from the
@Phola_org
#treeoflife
training I did on Monday. It's stuck with me all week when thinking about the trauma work I'm doing on placement at the moment. So I thought drawing a version might be useful to others to think about...
Reflecting on the power we hold as mental health professionals is important. We have control over access to nurture and resources and an ability to shame and re-traumatise.
(Often held in the context of oppressive societal structures and negative experiences of authority)
For the 2nd time in a week I've heard a child express fear about being sent to Rwanda at 18 😢
Children who've already experienced unimaginable trauma and loss, and who suffer significant mental health issues as a consequence.
Come and spend a week in my job
@SuellaBraverman
?
I hadn't heard of this before someone requested it via my
#patreon
page. Borba's model of self esteem is a framework that can be used to think about interventions and experiences that may grow self esteem...
The SHARP framework by
@swcosforjustice
was introduced to us duribg teaching on the
@BathPsychology
@UniofBath
DClinpsy recently. Designed for use by
#socialworkers
, we were shown how to use it as part of formulation. I'm looking forward to bringing it into my clinical work 😊
Latest drawing is based on
#polyvagal
theory and a resource that can be used in therapy as a shared tool to help people feel safe in their mind and body...
This idea for this drawing grew from a discussion with some psychologists advocating for the adoption of
#communitypsychology
approaches in
@NHS
mental health services. I can't take sole credit for the initial idea, just putting pen to (digital) paper
@JaybeBostock
@carlharrispc
This drawing references the blueprint of ourself and others that is formed through our early relationship experiences. This then acts as a guide for us to refer to in life and informs behaviour. It can of course be edited with later experiences, but this is not always easy...
I am aware the drawing I posted earlier today may be slightly misrepresenting
@KimSGolding
model. I am about to edit a bit and repost.
But I would ask that people be a bit kinder with their words sometimes. I put a lot of effort into my drawings and 1/2
In aid of
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
by
@mentalhealth
I have created a set of illustrations (see tweets below) that diversifies the individualised focus these sorts of weeks can privilige...
On placement at the moment, I'm planning some
#bereavement
training. I really like
@DrLoisTonkin
theory that the pain of
#grief
doesn't shrink, it just becomes less all consuming with time. This is my illustration...
Had a lecture this morning where the lecturer asked us to find a way to communicate one of the ideas he spoke about in a simpler way. A dream lecture task for me and this is what I came up with...
A drawing inspired by a song I heard recently. It's not always good to head out into storms, but if we always seek safety and comfort then we might sacrifice getting the most out of our lives...
If we can look beyond the all too often devastating consequences of addiction to the underlying need, then we have a road map for prevention, problem solving and recovery...
My latest drawing. PACE is an approach used in Dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP). It is about building connection and safety in relationships and I think can be used beyond adult child dyads. My instagram page gives an overview of each letter in more detail.
@ddpnetwork
Here's another of my drawings. Perhaps one to reflect on when thinking about the experiences of those coming into the therapy room, but maybe more importantly those not making it through the door and the service structures contributing to that?
#equality
#equity
@KimSGolding
...I know to expect critique because they are being placed in the public domain. But please do remember that there is a pretty sensitive trainee psychologist behind these posts who won't always get it right 2/2
Another one of my infographics to share. I'm learning to bring in this framework to reflect on how my identities influence my work as well as the potential impact on those I work with.
@DrCAButler
#socialgraces
My latest illustration is one that I probably should have done ages ago because I often refer to the article it's based on. The Austerity ailments provide a framework to think about how government policies impact on mental health...
Todays drawing: Stepping out of
#familynarratives
and
#personalnarratives
is hard, but possible and often needed... (apologies for the tiny writing on this one!)
Though teaching coping skills should never replace prevention of abuse, helping people find ways to cope with the legacy of trauma is key in my current work.
This breathing exercise was taught to me by a young person so I thought I'd draw it so others can use it...
I find this metaphor a useful one for myself or as a check in tool in the therapy room. I drew this version a while ago, but just neatened it up a little. I know there's debate as to the empirical backing to the polyvagal theory, but I find it a useful metaphor all the same...
My illustration of a shame shield: I often used this when I was an assistant psychologist working with foster carers. It's probably quite a common metaphor, but the one we used came from the work of
@KimSGolding
and
@dhughes202
. I've added in a freeze respobse to this version...
I used narrative exposure therapy (NET) a lot in my last placement. Part of it involves carefully moving between past and present moment when processing traumatic memories. Different therapies have different names for this back and forth method. Feel free to name in 🧵 below...
Today's drawing is of some of the things that can help children (and adults) who get easily overwhelmed get through the holidays without too many meltdowns or too much stress...
After listening to the
@LockedUpLiving
podcast, I've updated the wording on an old illustration where I'd written "violent offender" as though what people have done is their identity. This goes against the compassion I hoped to evoke with this drawing so here's the updated one:
Just a little update to make simpler one of my drawings that had been bouncing round today. This simple shift in words changes the narrative around who is responsible for unequitable access to services...