I would like to highlight a recent art workshop that I did on Inner Self with adolescents diagnosed with substance use and mental health disorders in a substance use inpatient facility in Fort Myers, FL. Whether it was physical and/or sexual abuse, having Department of Children and Family involvements and/or grief from loss, all of these teens have experienced trauma.

I conducted the Inner Self Portraits workshop and invited them to paint what represented their inner self and share why. The answers I got were reflective, insightful and optimistic. One of the teens drew a bat. When I asked how that represented his inner self, he stated that he didn’t like to be the center of attention but enjoyed being with others, he appreciated seeing light within the darkness (his way of saying silver lining) and was liberated and free because he was no longer in a juvenile detention center. Another teen drew sunflowers because, she said, they were sweet and beautiful like her.

I often see low self-esteem in teens who have experienced multiple traumas as these adolescents have, so them being able to represent their inner selves in a positive light is significant. The workshop gave them the opportunity to explore their inner selves and become a bit vulnerable with their peers, in a safe space. Having art as a component allowed them to tap into what was beautiful and unique about them and bring that to light.

Thank you very much for the scholarship and the opportunity to share these transformative art workshops with others in Florida.