Community Mother Art Tree Project: Collaborative Mural part 7

Everything moves at a snail's pace now that I have two active children to keep me busy, but things always get finished eventually!

Now for the last 3 pieces of the Art Tree Project before the whole mural is unveiled. This piece is my humble offering to the project. I wanted to create something that goes with the Nurture theme and that fits with our style. It is my first attempt at paper cutting with actual paper.

Grandmother

I crave the nurturance of my grandmother so much these days. To be snuggled on the lap of her and embraced by our roots sounds like the most comforting thing I can imagine.

Posted by Mychelle Moritz, ATR-BC, LPC

Mychelle is an art therapist and licensed professional counselor with a special place in her heart for supporting women throughout the transformative journey of motherhood. She is the mama of two active children and enjoys watching their creative antics.

Birth Trauma On-Line Community Support

We have written about birth trauma and the on-line community support, Solace, before. Solace is relaunching their on-line support. Below is a letter from Solace.

We are pleased to announce the Solace for Mothers Friends and Advocates Online Community which provides a forum for those who support mothers who have experienced birth trauma, have been impacted by witnessing birth trauma, or want to connect with others to advocate for gentler birth practices.

Solace for Mothers is committed to providing resources and support to professionals and loved ones supporting women through the difficult emotions following a disappointing, hurtful, or violating birth experience. Spouses, family, and friends of mothers who have experienced traumatic births are offered a space to find information, support, and resources through participation in the Friends and Advocates Forum. Birth attendants are also provided with the opportunity to process their own emotions in response to births they have attended. Birth professionals and birth advocates are provided a space to discuss the causes of birth trauma, how policies and programs can be enacted to prevent trauma from occurring to childbearing mothers, and methods of treatment when trauma has occurred.

The Solace for Mothers Friends and Advocates Online Community welcomes birth activists, mothers, families, and professionals, all of whom are stakeholders in providing healthy, safe, and empowering births that enable families to successfully transition to parenthood. Users of the online community are invited to contemplate and discuss the current state of birth and what evidence based practices best support childbearing women, their babies and families. Advocates who are interested in becoming involved in organized efforts to promote these practices are encouraged to participate and share their thoughts.

The Friends and Advocates Online Community can be entered from www.solaceformothers.org/advocates-forum.html. The forum is made public for browsing and registration is required to post and respond to topics. To view the online community, go to: http://forums.solaceformothers.org/mb/birthtrauma

Mothers are welcome to participate in the Friends and Advocates role but they are invited to register and participate in the Online Community for Healing Birth Trauma (www.solaceformothers.org/forum.html) which provides peer support to women who have had traumatic childbearing experiences. Birth professionals, family members, and friends please respect the privacy of the Community for Healing Birth Trauma and register only for the Friends and Advocates Community.

If you have something to say regarding childbirth and want to be a part of a larger conversation, please join us. We are interested to read your stories, thoughts, hopes and goals for the future! Please also feel free to pass this invitation on to organizations and individuals who would be interested in the topics of birth trauma and improving maternity care.

Warmly,

Sharon Storton, Founder of Solace for Mothers, Inc.

Jenne Alderks, Creator and Moderator of Online Communities

Jennifer Zimmerman, Creator and Moderator of Online Communities

Story Time

I love stories. I believe we all have stories to tell...stories about our lives and experiences that affect us. Stories connect our hearts to our minds, ourselves to our communities, our generation to past and future generations, and stories can be very healing when shared in a supportive space. When I work with mothers, I am interested in the stories they have to tell about their past and present experiences and their hopes for the future. I am interested in what the stories hold, remind, evoke, and how they evolve over time. I also love illustrated stories...stories illustrated in any medium. Art therapy provides a powerful way to share, externalize, and see your story on a deeper level. Insight can be gained from sharing your story. As wisdom grows, the story evolves and heals. You cannot change your experiences, but your story about your experience can change and heal. You do not have to be a writer or an artist; the power of expressing your story is enough.

If you love to listen to stories too, check out Back Fence PDX on December 10th. Back Fence PDX is:

"...a rambunctious storytelling series dedicated to finding multiple viewpoints on a singular theme. Stories are true, raw, and performed without memorization, or notes and must be no longer than six minutes in length. We seek all manner of people — the very young, the very old, the odd and the passionate, the specialists and the wanderers and the curious — to tell their narratives, keeping the series unconventional and accessible."

Baby Blues Connection Fall Workshop Series

Fall Workshop Series

Baby Blues Connection is excited to announce a new component to their
existing services!

A variety of topics will covered each quarter.

Please RSVP as a limited number of spaces are available for each event.
All of the workshops are facilitated by professionals.
http://www.babybluesconnection.org/events/workshops.html

Nutritional Support and Safe Herbal Remedies for
Mothers with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
This workshop will address the nutritional deficiencies and naturopathic treatments of postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety.
-Physiological causes of PPD and Anxiety
-Food allergies
-Nutrient deficiencies and supplementation
-Neurotransmitters
-Safe herbal Remedies during breastfeeding

October 30th, 10 a.m.– 12 p.m. at Sellwood Community Center: 1436 SE Spokane St.
$10

Presented by Dr. Adriana Azcarate-Ferbel N.D.
RSVP: 503-230-0458 or e-mail la_botanica_now@yahoo.com
Dr. Adriana Azcarate-Ferbel studied Naturopathic Medicine and graduated from the National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, Oregon in 2004. She is a survivor of Postpartum Depression and became interested in PPD treatments, focusing on the physiological changes mothers go through and how to address those changes in a non-invasive, natural way as a supplement to counseling

Balance
So much changes when we become mothers. Finding our balance in a whirlwind of changes and emotions, especially when we are faced with postpartum depression and/or anxiety, is a challenging process. Creatively explore areas in your life that need to be tended to, let go of, or set aside. Nurture yourself and find a center from which you can withstand the force of continual change. In this workshop, you and other new mothers who have experienced postpartum depression and/or anxiety will use creative expression to find areas in need of support and ways to feel calm in chaos. All materials will be provided

November 8, 2008-10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Nurture: 1614 NE Alberta St.
$10
With Mychelle Moritz, ATR-BC, LPC

http://www.nurturepdx.com/MychelleMoritz.html
To register, please contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or mychelle@nurturepdx.com

Picking Up the Pieces
The experience of postpartum depression and/or anxiety can leave us feeling shattered. As we heal, we begin to pick up the pieces and create a new whole. In this workshop, those have experienced postpartum depression and/or anxiety will explore and nurture your process of reconnecting the pieces as you create a sculpture. As you work with the materials, the sculpture emerges, becoming a meaningful symbol of survival and inner self and becomes a tangible reminder of your innermost strengths. You will begin the process of integration and acceptance of your new identity in a safe and supportive environment. All materials will be provided.

November 15, 2008-10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Nurture: 1614 NE Alberta St.
$10

With Mychelle Moritz, ATR-BC, LPC

http://www.nurturepdx.com/MychelleMoritz.html
To register, please contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or mychelle@nurturepdx.com
Mychelle has been a Baby Blues Connection volunteer since February 2008 providing phone support and generally helping out when she can. Recently, she has taken over the Workshop Coordinator duties. She is a co-founder of Nurture which offers a range of services to growing families. Mychelle is an art therapist and a licensed professional counselor with a special interest in helping mothers and families. She is the mama to two active young children and enjoys watching their creative antics.

Last Thursdays

Because we had such a great time at the open house celebration, we thought we would join the Last Thursday events each month until the weather gets chilly. Each month we will be on the porch offering chair massage for $1/minute, art experientials, and more! If you missed the open house, you will have more opportunities to come by, meet us, and enjoy a sample of some of our services.

An Open House Thank You

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at the open house. It was a wonderful evening full of wonderful people, art, massage, infant massage, nest-making, and delicious food.

Thank you Johanna for sharing your paintings with us to add some sweetness to our night.

Thank you Lacy at Form & Flora for the beautiful & very creative flower arrangement. The bird and nest fit at Nurture so perfectly! Thank you Art on Alberta for organizing Last Thursday and for your support of our celebration. Thank you Amy, Sarah, and Tiffany for making the evening a success.

It was exciting to meet new people, share our joy with friends, and celebrate Nurture.

Warmly,

Mychelle

Postpartum Body Image Ideas Part 1

Earlier this week I wrote about postpartum body image and accepting the changes in our bodies after pregnancy. One mother, who wrote to me in response to the original post, stated that she loves her body more now than she did before she ever got pregnant because of the awe she feels towards her body's capacity for creating and sustaining her children during pregnancy and postpartum through nursing. I thought it was a beautiful viewpoint so I wanted to share it.

As promised, I have some ideas for nurturing your mama-body.

I want to note that acceptance may be a process, particularly because a woman's body continues to change for a time postpartum and postpartum is a time of much giving, little receiving and we often neglect our physical and emotional needs. Also because in our culture, one has to fight the negative self-perceptions which arise from being exposed to media images (which are actually touched up and not even real) and unhealthy standards in our society.

Here is the first idea...

Make the time, on a regular basis-weekly or once a month, to get a massage. Healing touch can be a powerful way to experience your body and promote an emotional reconnection. Allowing someone else to care for your body, especially if you experience that person as nonjudgmental and affirming, can facilitate integration and acceptance of your new body form. Although there is benefit from getting out of the house to go to an appointment, many massage therapists are willing to come to your home, which can save you time from being away from your baby. You can arrange the massage during a time that your partner or someone else could take your baby for a walk so that you will have a peaceful environment. If finances are a barrier, a gentle back rub from your partner or trusted friend could be an alternative.

Even if you are several years postpartum but still struggling with accepting your body, a massage can be a helpful part in working towards acceptance.

We have two massage therapists at Nurture, Sarah Dykes and Tiffany Ueltschi.

Prenatal & Postpartum Workshop Series

Prenatal Series
6/7 1p-3p Birth Sculpture
6/14 1p-3p Nurturing Your Relationship
6/21 1p-3p Belly Cast Decorating

Postpartum Series
6/7 10a-12p Honoring Your Birth Experience
6/14 10a-12p Mother Sculpture
6/21 10a-12p Baby Art

Each class is $35 or $90 for all three in a series if you register before June 1, 2008. As always at Nurture, sliding scale spots are available.

To register, contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.

Prenatal Series
Birth Sculpture:
The creation of birth sculptures not only provides you with a tangible memory of your pregnant form as well as certain feelings and beliefs during pregnancy, but also can serve as a symbol of power and strength during the birthing process. In this workshop, you and other expectant mothers will explore and challenge your ideas about pregnancy and birth through the process of sculpting with clay. As you work the clay, the birth sculpture emerges, becoming a meaningful symbol of beliefs about birth and motherhood, and a tangible reminder of your innermost strengths. All materials will be provided by the workshop. Arrangements will be made for those wanting to kiln-fire their finished birth sculptures. To register, contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.
Date and Times: 6/7/08 1p-3p
Cost: $35

Nurturing Your Relationship to Prepare for Your Baby's Arrival:
Preparing for the changes your new baby will bring to the relationship between you and your partner is just as important as buying a crib or a sling or decorating the baby's room. You and your partner are invited to begin to explore postpartum expectations as a couple. Discuss hopes, fears, and beliefs regarding roles and responsibilities. During this workshop, you will create, as a couple, a symbol, using art materials, that celebrates the strengths and supports within your relationship now and that can be reflected upon tenderly postpartum. To register, contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.
Date and Times: 6/14/08 1p-3p
Cost: $35/couple

Belly Cast Decoration:
Creating a belly cast is a wonderful way to honor your body's amazing transformation during pregnancy. After pregnancy, as your infant becomes your toddler, and your toddler becomes your child, your beautiful belly cast will be a lovely memory of the earliest connecting moments between you and your baby. In this workshop, expectant mothers in the last weeks of their pregnancies are invited to bring their belly casts into a creative space to embellish/decorate them in ways that honor/commemorate their pregnant bellies and their pregnancy. We will provide all supplies for decorating the belly casts. You are also welcomed to bring any found or other significant objects for their casts. Partners, friends or other support persons are warmly welcomed! If you need belly casting materials and instructions, please ask when you call to register for this workshop. Contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.
Date and Times: 6/21/08 1p-3p
Cost: $35/belly cast

Postpartum Series
Honoring Your Birth Experience:
The story of the childbirth may be one of the most incredible journeys that you can share with your child. The process of giving birth, whether it is natural or medical, in the hospital or at home, is one of the most extraordinary experiences in a woman's life. Birthing a child can often feel wonderful, be filled with loving memories, and have a textbook effortlessness. Often, however, moments of the birthing experience that lingers most strongly after giving birth are those that were unplanned, unexpected, painful and disappointing. Processing these events in a safe and nurturing space can promote a new understanding and healing. In this workshop, you and other new mothers will be supported to share and process both positive and negative birth experiences. You are invited to honor your birth story by creating a special memory book. All materials will be furnished by the workshop. You are welcome to bring any special objects from home to include in their memory books. To register, contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.
Date and Time: 6/7/08 10a-12p
Cost: $35

Mother Sculpture:
During pregnancy, a mother's body is beloved. Other people often focus on how a pregnant woman's body is growing and changing. Some even want to touch the blossoming belly just to feel the energy emitted by the wonder of life that is growing and changing within. After childbirth, however, for many women, their bodies may feel foreign, not their own because mothers give so much physically, but also because their bodies are different, and in many ways, may never be the same again. In this workshop, mother sculptures will be created by you to explore how you feel about your changing body and self as a mother. Through the creation of the sculpture, you will begin the process of integration and acceptance of your new identity in a safe and supportive environment. All art materials will be furnished by the workshop. To register, contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.
Date and Time: 6/14/08 10a-12p
Cost: $35

Baby Art:
In this workshop, you will be supported in making art to commemorate your new baby. Through the use of drawing, painting, collage, clay, or whatever materials may evoke creativity, you can be inspired and guided through the artistic process by watching, exploring and seeing your little baby in this moment of quiet and calm. The timeless memories captured through this process will be meaningful not only to you but also to your ever-growing child. Please bring your baby to this class. You are also welcomed to bring any photos or other special memorabilia to be used in your artwork. Partners, friends or other support persons are warmly welcomed! Contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.
Date and Times: 6/21/08 10a-12p
Cost: $35

April is International Cesarean Awareness Month

You can find information about International Cesarean Awareness Month at International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) which has a focus of prevention, recovery, and advocacy. ICAN works to educate women, health care providers, and society about the prevalence, causes, risks associated with, impacts and effects, and prevention of unnecessary cesarean birth procedures. ICAN also provides information about recovery (including emotional recovery--birth trauma, postpartum mood disorders, and grieving the loss of a vaginal birth experience) as well as vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). There is a Portland ICAN chapter with monthly support group meetings.

In her book, Birthing From Within, Pam England uses the term "Cesarean-Birth" instead of cesarean section or c-section. What a powerful way to shift the dynamic of a term and to honor a mother's cesarean birth as a personal experience. At Nurture, we honor each mother's birth experience and have a range of services that provide emotional and physical support for mothers before, during, and after a birth experience. The Birthing From Within website has an article about and titled, Having a Cesarean-In-Awareness. In addition to being aware in prevention, recovery, and advocacy; being prepared emotionally for coping during and after a cesarean is an awareness that can prevent or lessen the emotional impact should a cesarean be necessary.

Art Therapy

Our service options continue to grow! Amy Williams, co-founder of Nurture and Art Therapist is now available to provide services.

Amy Williams, ATR-BC
(503)-913-5934
amy@nurturepdx.com

I am a Board-Certified, Registered Art Therapist with over 5 years clinical experience offering individual, group and family treatment. I have training and experience working with adolescents and their families, predominantly with teens that have been involved with the juvenile justice system in some way. I have a growing interest in working with expectant mothers and have received training from Pam England, the author of Birthing From Within. I look forward to offering a number of birth art workshops and birthing preparation courses using Birthing From Within concepts. I am available to provide art therapy and counseling services for children, adolescents, adults and families.

Services and Specialties
Life Transitions
Anxiety/Depression
Self-esteem
Grief and Loss
Abuse
Family work
Body image
Prenatal/Postpartum issues

My approach is to create a safe and supportive environment and a nurturing, therapeutic relationship where one can explore challenging and often painful life experiences in ways that deepen understanding and meaning. I counsel by following, supporting, and respecting the needs of my client, and providing gentle guidance and relevant insights for activating change. I believe we all grow up with certain feelings, thoughts, and ways of being that define who we are, and that often, we come to a place in our lives where we must challenge old patterns for growth and change to occur. In session, I utilize a variety of creative techniques to bring about the process of healing and growth through genuine self-expression.

I am available evenings and weekends.
My rate is $55 per hour and I am also willing to negotiate fee based on income.

Counseling & Art Therapy

Our space is just about ready, and we are ready to start offering more services.
At this time we are offering counseling and art therapy; Mychelle Moritz, co-founder of Nurture and counselor/art therapist is now accepting clients.

Mychelle Moritz, MA, ATR-BC, LPC:
I am a licensed professional counselor and an art therapist. I offer supportive counseling and/or art therapy with a special focus on pregnancy and postpartum concerns. I have 6 years of clinical experience and have completed a doula class and a perinatal mood disorder training. I also have extensive experience working with trauma.

Focus:
Preparation and Choices About Becoming a Parent
Prevetion of Postpartum Mood Disorders
Emotional Birth Preparation
Birth Trauma (processing difficult birth experiences)
Postpartum Adjustment, Depression, Anxiety
Birth Preparation for Trauma Survivors
Pregnancy Loss

Philosophy:
There are many ways to parent and each mother/couple has to find an approach that works best for them with the whole family in mind. Whether you are pregnant or in the early child rearing years, I can offer support, ideas, and resources as you explore what feels best for you and your family. My art therapy/counseling approach is nonjudgmental and based on my belief that personal challenges can inspire growth and healing when the experiences are processed in meaningful ways. I use creative expression in a supportive environment, based on a warm and dynamic relationship, to facilitate awareness, insight, and compassion. I use an eclectic art therapy approach drawing from feminist, narrative, and (when appropriate) trauma theories to empower each person to find balance, resolution, and new and preferred ways to experience life.

Availability:
I am available on weekends and some evenings.

Fees:
$65/hour
I also offer a sliding scale based on need.

Contact:
Please call (971) 344-7527
or e-mail mychelle@nurturepdx.com