This book presents a research study on the construction of a contemplative photo therapy (CPT) model for group intervention to assist youth with anxiety disorders. It is supported by the literature and interviews of experts in the field of contemplative arts & practices: Andy Karr, Steven & Anne Saitzyk, Miriam Hall, Jake Lorfing, Barbara Bash, Michael Franklin, AniJ Donma… Contemplative arts are forms of meditation that are a continuum of mindfulness and awareness meditation practices. The purpose of this book was to introduce the Contemplative Arts Psychotherapy (CAPT) theoretical framework and a Contemplative Photo Therapy (CPT) model for group intervention to assist youth with anxiety disorders in clinical and community settings. The CPT model for group intervention to assist youth with anxiety disorders combines Miksang contemplative photography, mindfulness meditation and phototherapy methodologies and practices. The CPT model has the potential to improve perceptual threat biases and anxiety symptoms and bring increased creative expression, mindfulness skills, cognitive and affective awareness, well-being into everyday life. About the Author: Emma Ates, BFA, is a visual artist, contemplative artist-educator and Nalanda Miksang contemplative photography instructor. She has completed professional development certifications in Expressive Arts Therapy at Isis Toronto; in Art Education and Mentorship at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and Inter-professional Applied Mindfulness Meditation Certification at University of Toronto. She has also trained as a facilitator for the mindfulness and emotional intelligence program for teenagers with Mindfulness Without Borders. She is currently training to become an Art Psychotherapist with the Toronto Art Therapy Institute of Toronto and she is doing placements at the Rouge Valley Hospital in Scarborough and at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. Emma has a 15-year mindfulness meditation practice, and weaves Buddhist art, philosophy and contemplative art practices (based on Shambhala Art, Nalanda Miksang contemplative photography and Thangka painting from the ‘Karma Gardi’ style traditions) into her life and professional activities. Emma founded ‘Mindful Rupa Arts’ (MRA) to bring contemplative arts into mental health and education to develop meditation-based creative program interventions for multiple populations. She uses drawing, painting and other modalities when facilitating meditation-based creative programming with youth and adults in agencies, hospitals and community settings. |