LIGHTHOUSE PARENTING PROGRAMME
I was commissioned to create illustrations for an MBT parenting programme (Lighthouse Parenting Programme) within Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust's Family Assessment and Safeguarding Service (FASS). FASS provides specialist child and parenting assessments and treatments in families where there are safeguarding concerns. My task was to illustrate a parent’s particular story/emotion/memory. My visual interpretations were used in the group therapy sessions. Having a visual image can help bring words to these difficult discussions.
TERRIFYING OF TORTURED?
I drew this sketch when I was working on ‘HIDING IN THE TREE’. I was trying to create a dominant male figure which represented terror. A figure who was terrifying. Someone living in your home you were so scared of upsetting. I was attempting to create a visual representation of a mother’s story. Interestingly, when talking with other artists they saw the bear as pained, experiencing torture. Hopelessness. Despair. Screaming.
Isn’t it fascinating how differently we see the same thing? I was so intent on creating anger in his eyes, mouth and especially in the mark making. I remember making myself feel angry to create the lines in the sketch. I didn’t realise how anger can look the same as other emotions. Now, when I look at this sketch I can see many things, not just terror.
SHARKS & WHIRLPOOLS IN THE SAFE HABOUR
You are on a raft floating back into a ‘safe’ harbour, after a being lost at sea. You should finally feel safe but when you enter the harbour half of the water has dangerous whirlpools which will drag you down and the other half is shark infested.
This is a visual representation of not knowing who to trust, who to turn to and which way to go when all options feel unsafe. When the place you know to be safe and reliable has become unsafe and unpredictable. Maybe it always was that way and you never realised. What now?
NOT WHAT YOU SEEM
CLICK HERE for the story read by actor Jenny Whitehead. I’ve added the link at the beginning of the story but if you have time it’s well worth watching the whole session by psychotherapist, and founder of the programme, Gerry Byrne.
HIDING IN THE TREE (OR AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS)
He’s hiding but he sees and hears everything. He’s scared and worried for his mum and for himself. He doesn’t understand what they have done wrong and why he is so angry. He is in their home and their home is no longer safe.
SAFE AGAIN
When he has gone and it’s just me and mum in our favourite place.
‘FML’ - Some days I fail (Alien self)
Illustrated from thoughts of a parent describing her ‘alien self’. Sometimes feeling on top of things and other days not feeling like herself.
THE LIGHTHOUSE (Poem by a parent in the programme)
Like a Lighthouse,
I stand alone, solitary.
Greatly overlooked
and hugely under-appreciated.
True to myself I battle on,
Hoping that one day
someone uplifts me.
Helps me to shine brightly
and encourages me to light the way once again.