Intuitive Art Workshop time! Spring Savings, due to the world being on fire, I have lowered the cost to assist with difficult times.
Pop-Up Intuitive Art Workshop – Take a Break from the Chaos
The world feels like it’s on fire, and we could all use a breather. So let’s take a break from the stress, step away from the noise, and create—individually, together.
I’m hosting a pop-up intuitive art workshop, and I’ve lowered the price because, well, life is hard right now. This is a space to reconnect with yourself, express freely, and find a little peace through creativity. No experience needed—just show up as you are.
What to Expect
🎨 All supplies provided – just bring yourself! 🎶 Music in the background to set the mood. 🖌️ Light structure to guide the process, but plenty of freedom to explore. 🗣️ Time to reflect at the end (if you choose). 🥤 Water and light snacks included. Feel free to bring your own lunch, snacks, or drinks.
How to Join
Spots are limited due to space, and reservations are required. If any seats remain open, I’ll announce them the morning of for first-come, first-served attendees.
Let’s take a breath, make some art, and create a little calm together. Hope to see you there!
📍 404 N Main -Old bank- Fifth Floor suite 503 📅 March 29th 12-2 pm 💌 Reserve your spot now! Spots are limited, a waitlist will be created and you will be contacted if spots open up – Samantha will send along the payment link once you contact her.
“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see. “
– The Polar Express
Lets take a break from every day stress, and consider winter from a different perspective, maybe as a poet might view things. Winter has a unique way of transforming the world into a realm of quiet magic. From snow-draped landscapes to the glittering frost on windows, the season invites us to pause, reflect, and marvel at its beauty. Whether you’re a fan of poetry, prose, or simply enjoy observing the world through a creative lens, winter offers endless inspiration.
Imagine stepping outside on a crisp winter morning. The world feels still, as if holding its breath. The crunch of snow underfoot becomes a steady rhythm, while the whisper of the wind adds harmony. Bare branches, etched against a pale gray sky, resemble delicate ink strokes on nature’s canvas.
Winter poetry often draws upon these serene and stark landscapes to evoke feelings of solitude, wonder, or even renewal. A simple walk through a snow-laden park can inspire lines about the interplay of light and shadow, the resilience of evergreens, or the gentle beauty of a frozen stream.
Winter is a time of contrasts—both external and internal. While the season brings a sense of peace, it can also stir emotions of longing, introspection, or nostalgia. These feelings often lend themselves to rich and evocative writing.
Consider how the shorter days and longer nights create a natural rhythm for reflection. Many poets and writers use winter as a metaphor for quietude, transformation, or the closing of one chapter as another awaits. You might explore themes of:
Finding warmth in the cold, whether through love, community, or self-discovery.
Navigating the loneliness of winter and turning it into a journey of self-awareness.
Viewing the starkness of the season as a symbol of resilience and clarity.
The magic of winter isn’t confined to snow-covered landscapes or dramatic seasonal changes—it can also be found in the simplest moments:
A steaming cup of hot cocoa cradled in your hands.
The glow of string lights reflecting in icy puddles.
The comforting ritual of wrapping up in a blanket with a good book.
Poetic writing can transform these everyday experiences into something extraordinary. Capture the sensory details—the scent of pine, the warmth of a roaring fire, the hush of snow falling at dusk—and let them tell a story of winter’s quiet magic.
If you’re looking to start your own poetic exploration of winter, consider these prompts:
Describe the first snowfall of the season as if it were a character arriving at a party.
Write about a childhood winter memory and how it shapes your view of the season today.
Explore the duality of winter—its harshness and its beauty—in a series of contrasting images.
Use the concept of “hibernation” as a metaphor for personal growth or retreat.
Winter is more than a season—it’s a state of mind, a pause between the vibrant energy of fall and the renewal of spring. By embracing its quiet magic, we open ourselves to moments of creativity and reflection that are uniquely tied to this time of year.
So, whether you’re a seasoned poet or a newcomer to creative writing, let winter inspire you. Find the magic in its stillness, and let it speak through your words.
This year has flown by, and we are already mid November. November offers us a unique opportunity to reflect, raise awareness, and foster compassion. It’s a month dedicated not only to celebrating cultural and personal identity but also to recognizing the profound impact of mental health on our lives and communities. Let’s explore how November’s observances connect to mental health and why they’re so crucial in fostering understanding and support.
National Family Caregivers Month
Caregivers play a vital role in supporting loved ones, often at great emotional and physical expense to themselves. Many face burnout, stress, and isolation as they juggle their responsibilities. This month encourages us to honor caregivers by recognizing their challenges, offering resources, and ensuring they feel supported in their own mental health journeys.
Offer a listening ear to a caregiver in your life.
Encourage them to seek respite care or counseling if needed.
Share resources like caregiver support groups and hotlines.
Be empathetic if they ask and do not follow through, the amount of responsibility they have felt for so long may be hard to see past.
National Diabetes Month
Living with diabetes is more than a physical health challenge—it also impacts mental health. The constant need for monitoring, management, and lifestyle adjustments can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. For many, this journey highlights the intersection of physical and mental well-being.
Learn about diabetes and the emotional toll it can take.
Support loved ones by encouraging healthy habits without judgment.
Advocate for better mental health resources in chronic illness care.
Native American Heritage Month
This month honors the history, culture, and contributions of Native American communities while acknowledging the systemic barriers they face. Generational trauma, health disparities, and a lack of access to mental health services are persistent challenges in these communities. Celebrating their resilience while advocating for equity is key.
Educate yourself about Native American history and present-day struggles.
Support organizations providing culturally competent mental health care for Indigenous people.
Celebrate and amplify Native voices in your community.
Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13-19) & Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20)
Transgender individuals face unique mental health challenges, including discrimination, family rejection, and an increased risk of violence. Transgender Awareness Week highlights the need for understanding and advocacy, while the Transgender Day of Remembrance honors those lost to anti-transgender violence.
Use inclusive language and respect people’s pronouns.
Advocate for trans-inclusive mental health policies.
Remember and honor trans lives by attending local or virtual events.
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Nov. 23)
This day is a time for those who have lost someone to suicide to come together, share their stories, and heal. It underscores the importance of breaking the stigma around suicide and prioritizing mental health support for those left behind.
Attend or promote events supporting survivors of suicide loss.
Familiarize yourself with resources like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Offer empathy and understanding to those who have experienced this loss.
Bringing It All Together
November reminds us that mental health is a shared responsibility. By acknowledging these observances and the people they impact, we can create a more empathetic and supportive world. Whether through learning, advocacy, or simply showing up for someone, every action matters.
Let this month inspire us to look out for each other and to prioritize mental health—not just in November, but all year long.
What are you doing to support mental health awareness this month? Share your thoughts and let’s keep the conversation going.
Thinking about difficult times being like variety of chocolates can sometimes help me get through difficult moments – being a business owner I wear a lot of hats and experiences a lot of challenges out of my control. However, I know I can get through things, and I ask for help when necessary. I am thankful for those I have found along the way to help me keep going when I get that ill tasting nugget and look forward to the sweeter times.
Here are some other quotes I found when searching inspirational quotes that spoke to me!
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot, but make it hot by striking.” – William Butler Yeats
These quotes highlight the importance of perseverance, passion, and taking action to achieve success and fulfillment. There are many quotes regarding success and failure that I personally do not agree with- and that’s ok! We are each unique individuals, and per our experiences our perception of situations we are faced with will be seen differently from anyone else. Might I be seen as negative if I don’t agree or see a statement as positive because of my experiences? Yes, because I cannot control how others think or perceive what they are shown. I prefer to be seen as realistic as unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world, however I can understand why someone sees my view as negative and can accept that we have different views and opinions.
What are inspirational quotes that speak to you, have helped you reach your goals or keep going when times are rough? Comment below to help others build their own list.
While Coaching services are different from Therapy services, they may still be very beneficial to influencing one’s quality of life as a supplement to therapy. Two known barriers however to attending is insurance not covering or reimbursing, and financial cost can be a challenge. When searching for any support group, workshop or intensive it is good to know the differences in what they are to make sure the financial value is right for you.
Many providers or coaches will give a brief description of what they are in their websites – most usually a description of the topic of the event so you know the brief general idea of what you are signing up for and length of time, and cost. The main differences between a therapy intensive, a workshop, and a support group led by a professional in that field – lie in their structure, purpose, and methods of engagement:
Depth and Duration: Therapy intensives are usually immersive and in-depth sessions that span several hours, days, or even weeks. They provide concentrated, focused therapeutic work.
Personalized Treatment: Often involves individualized attention and tailored therapeutic interventions to address specific issues or challenges.
Goals: Aimed at making significant progress or breakthroughs in a short amount of time. It may focus on trauma, relationship issues, or other deep-seated psychological concerns.
Methods: Utilizes various therapeutic techniques depending on the specific needs of the participants, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or somatic experiencing.
Therapy intensives are designed to be deeply therapeutic without being traumatizing by incorporating several key principles and strategies:
Skilled Facilitation
Experienced professional, skilled in managing the intensity of sessions and can adjust the pace and approach based on real-time needs
trauma informed care- recognizes signs of distress and responds appropriately.
Safe and Supportive Environment
Structured Approach
Clear boundaries, preparation and integration
Pacing and Flexibility
Gradual exposure to topics and flexible interventions based on real-time feedback from participants
Focus on Resilience and Strength
Empowerment and Skill Building
Holistic Approach
Body mind connection
Supportive therapies like Art Therapy, movement, nature, music, drama, expressive elements to provide varied and less intense ways of processing emotions.
Aftercare and Support
Participants are often provided with follow-up support to help them integrate the insights and changes from the intensive into their daily lives, and or given resources including support groups, therapists’ information, and educational materials to continue their healing journey pending want and need of the participant.
Educational Focus: Workshops are typically designed to educate participants on specific topics, skills, or techniques.
They are more instructional and informational, can cover a range of stressing topics but not to the extent of needing 2 or more days to acknowledge and process like intensives.
Interactive and Practical: Often includes interactive elements like exercises, discussions, and practical applications to help participants learn and apply new concepts. Hands on learning and engagement encouraged
promote interaction and engagement, where intensives can be in a group setting but focused on self-improvement with minimal group engagement.
Pending the topicmay be self-improvement focused on a lighter level then an intensive.
Short-term: Usually lasts for a few hours to a couple of days, making them shorter and less intensive than therapy intensives, less deep into participants personal issues.
Goals: Aimed at providing knowledge and tools that participants can use in their personal or professional lives, such as stress management, communication skills, or mindfulness practices.
Facilitation – Led by professionals who are knowledgeable in the workshop topic but not necessarily trained therapists.
Peer Support: Focuses on providing a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences and offer mutual support.
Facilitation: Led by professional counselors who guide the discussions, ensure a safe and respectful environment, and provide therapeutic insights when necessary.
Ongoing Meetings: Typically meets regularly (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) over an extended period, offering continuous support. May be emotionally and or educationally focused to focus on learning skills and applying them in daily life pending the provider or other professional leading the meetings.
Goals: Aimed at reducing feelings of isolation, increasing understanding and coping strategies, and providing emotional support. Common for issues like addiction recovery, grief, chronic illness, or mental health challenges.
Summary
Therapy Intensive: In-depth, personalized, and concentrated therapeutic work for significant progress.
Workshop: Educational, interactive, and practical sessions focused on specific topics or skills.
Support Group: Ongoing peer support with professional facilitation, focusing on shared experiences and mutual support.
Each type of session serves different purposes and can be beneficial depending on the Facilitator and needs and goals of the participants. Hopefully this description can help you determine what might be right for you when searching for a group to meet your needs! Feel free to reach out if you would like help finding a group as Samantha has networked with many professionals throughout Wisconsin and has accessibility nationwide to other locations.
Within mental health and personal growth, individuals often seek various forms of support and interventions to navigate their challenges and improve their well-being. Two common options that people consider are therapy groups and intensive workshops. While both serve as valuable tools for self-exploration and development, they differ in their formats, goals, and approaches. Here, we will explore the differences between therapy groups and intensive workshops to help you better understand which option may be most suitable for your needs.
Therapy Groups: Therapy groups typically consist of a small number of individuals who come together regularly, facilitated by a trained therapist or counselor. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment for members to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to gain insights into their challenges and strengths. Therapy groups may focus on specific issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues, and members often share their experiences, offer feedback, and learn from one another’s perspectives.
Key Characteristics of Therapy Groups:
Regular meetings over an extended period (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly sessions).
Led by a trained therapist or counselor who facilitates discussions and provides guidance.
Emphasis on sharing personal experiences, processing emotions, and gaining self-awareness.
Opportunity for members to receive support, feedback, and validation from peers.
Intensive Workshops: Intensive workshops are typically short-term, immersive experiences that focus on a specific theme or goal, such as stress management, communication skills, or personal growth. These workshops may last anywhere from a few hours to several days and often involve a structured curriculum, experiential activities, and group exercises aimed at fostering insight, learning new skills, and promoting personal transformation. Intensive workshops can be intense and emotionally challenging, but they also offer a concentrated opportunity for deep exploration and growth.
Key Characteristics of Intensive Workshops:
Short-term and immersive experience, often lasting a few hours to several days.
Structured curriculum with specific goals and learning objectives.
Incorporation of experiential activities, role-playing, and group exercises.
Focus on personal growth, skill-building, and transformative experiences.
Choosing Between Therapy Groups and Intensive Workshops: When deciding between therapy groups and intensive workshops, it’s important to consider your specific needs, preferences, and goals. Therapy groups are ideal for individuals seeking ongoing support, deeper self-exploration, and interpersonal connection over an extended period. On the other hand, intensive workshops are well-suited for those looking for a quicker, focused experience to learn new skills, gain insights, and jumpstart personal growth in a shorter timeframe.
Ultimately, both therapy groups and intensive workshops can be valuable resources for individuals searching to improve their well-being, develop self-awareness, and cultivate meaningful connections with others. By understanding the differences between these two options, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your unique needs and aspirations on your journey toward personal growth and healing.
Make sure to check out the new Intuitive Painting Workshop here!
Collaborative Creative Coaching with Samantha Hanson and Tina Gray Siebers
Are you ready to explore your creativity, overcome fears, and reconnect with your inner child? Join our Intuitive Art Intensive Workshop, a transformative experience designed to help you express yourself, face challenges, and find joy in artistic expression. No prior art experience is necessary—just bring your willingness to explore and create.
This is a two-day intensive workshop, led by two professional counselors—one a registered art therapist. However, this is not a therapy group! It is a small retreat from daily life, designed to guide participants through an intuitive painting process.
Workshop Goals: Try Something New: Step outside your comfort zone. Overcome Fear: Let go of the fear of failure or judgment. Self-Discovery: Learn how you handle challenges. Feel Positive: End with a sense of achievement. Have Fun: Enjoy playful, creative activities. Stress Relief: Take a refreshing break from daily stress.
Workshop will include Open mindedness and experimentation in a judgement free zone, Setting Intentions Warm-Up Exercise: “Zen Tangle” Independent Reflection and Sharing option to purchase beverages on site at ROK cafe
Disclaimer: This is a vulnerable open space. Be mindful of sharing work that may be considered taboo outside of the workshop with non participants who may not understand.
Join Us June 22 and 23rd – Registration closes June 17th and space is limited to 8 attendees! 4 minimum needed to hold the workshop.
Perfect for all skill levels, our workshop offers a supportive and enriching environment to unlock your creative potential.Secure your spot today to avoid missing out as spots are filling up fast. Don’t let the stress of the week distract you—reserve now!
For more information and to register, visit Here. We look forward to creating with you!
**please note spots are non refundable due to the time and preparation to prepare for your seat we appreciate your understanding if you are a no show or notify us day of, of no attendance.**
Every-once in a while I get asked about my own hobbies or self-care. A popular question is does a therapist have a therapist? Yes, a therapist is human top, and as we hear all of the stories around us it’s important to engage in our own therapy and forms of self-care.
Do I doom scroll or hyper fixate on things like art supplies and have about 20 projects going at once? Of course! All in moderation of course, finding that balance for myself as I promote to clients. Somedays are harder than others, so figuring out a routine and not beating myself up if I can’t stick to it.
I make sure to take care of my pet’s needs, as animals are sassy and they technically own my home, and then make sure I’m fed and comfortable. A goal this year is to read more and work on some of those 20 projects listed above. I’m also trying out new puzzle games and brought out sudoku books, I’m terrible with math but I love me a numbers style organization puzzle!
On days I’m home before dark and its good weather I take the dogs for a walk, for both them and me and schedule weekly walks with my meetup group “walk and talk Fox cities meetup!” Now that the weather is hopefully getting nicer. We are established on meetup.com and newly on Facebook! Check-us out sometime.
As you know being neurospicy means you interact with the world a little differently. The positive side of that is people with these unique traits have qualities and strengths that neurotypical individuals would not have. Someone with neurospicy traits sometimes needs help to navigate the world around them and help their unique perspective operate being a neurodivergent person in a world not built for them.
I grew up as the weird kid who missed school due to health issues and struggled greatly due to undiagnosed ADD and I lacked the social skills to fit into my neurotypical surroundings. Don’t worry IT DOES GET BETTER!!! In college, I learned the skills to manage (and embrace) my neurospiciness and move on to graduate and OWN a successful art therapy business. Now I help many people function as a neurospicy individual as a life coach. My clients look to learn how to survive their quirks, build confidence, and embrace their unique individual traits as superpowers.
It’s important to remember that it is out of your control how your quirks come to be, this is my focus with clients in my life coaching program. Your focus should be on what you CAN control, therefore here are 3 steps on how to simplify your life and help you survive this neurotypical world.
1. Study your routine: Observe your day-to-day, grab a notebook, and write down your daily routine (yes I know, lists … remembering to write things down, it’ll be worth it, trust me). Keep this list simple, make check marks, smileys, doodles, stickers, stamps, etc., and make it fun. Whatever helps you to know what works (and what doesn’t) within your routine. Do this for several days, a week, or even two weeks. Make note of the people you interact with, the feelings that are influenced by various interactions or stimuli or tasks, and all barriers to accomplishing what you need to do. Just be certain to keep it detailed.
2. Adjust your routine: Try something new. See where you can trim things down and what can be simplified. It helps to ask yourself some of the following questions: What’s too much? What’s too stressful? What do you absolutely NEED in your schedule? Or what are some things that could change? Would parts of your routine work better in the morning rather than before bed? Set alarms to remind yourself of the changes that you make, including changes made to your job, however that may apply to your personal situation. Different choices made in your routine will influence how you respond to stress and manage to get through each day.
For example, you have a certain medication that you must take daily to just exist as a human being. If it isn’t being taken as prescribed by keeping the medication in your bathroom cabinet, what about moving it to your nightstand? That way it’s one of the first things you see when you wake up and helps you to remember to take the medication, add a post-it note to it to grab your attention. Do this for a few days and evaluate if it makes a difference in your routine. If it doesn’t work then try another solution for a few days.
3. Change your mindset: To be consistent throughout the first two steps, you need to change how you view things, i.e. your perspective. In college, I always thought that I was a bad communicator but a counselor asked me if this was how people made me feel or if that was how I truly felt about my communication strategies. I realized that this was how people made me feel, how they responded and talked to me that I thought that I was doing something wrong. Since then, I have done a lot of my own research on the topic, and depending on what is internally going on with that person’s day will change how they perceive what I am saying. This may not be the case in all situations, maybe you will have to learn new strategies to function in the world better or have better interactions with other people. It’s always good to have feedback on yourself, but if it’s not valid, if it’s truly a “them” problem, then it’s better to make a note of it, accept that you can’t control it, and try not to personalize it. BUT if it is a “you” problem, what can you observe and adjust to improve this mindset.
So how does this help you build confidence and embrace your quirks? By building consistency in your routine, you will feel confident that YOU CAN get things done, or get that medication taken. By changing the mindset you are finding the triggers that may be causing additional stress and learn to recognize this and adjust your viewpoint. All of this will allow your brain to have a break from trying to keep up with all the tasks that need to be accomplished because it is now a habit in your routine, eliminating some stressors under your control. Ultimately helping you feel better about yourself. This alone will begin to help you feel better both physically and mentally. This is exactly what I do to help my clients as a life coach, one step at a time, you can find out more about my program HERE.
One way I would like to help improve my community is offering events. I recently came across “paint parties!” And have rediscovered my old passion for painting and playing with color.
It reminded me that since becoming an independent therapist that I’ve had many requests for private art lessons- it was an added benefit to those that I was also a therapist, however those individuals didn’t want to pay for therapy and as I’m not a teacher those situations did not work out.
So!! Since finding these “paint parties”, over the last two months I connected with an organization and joined a membership which allows me the rights in sharing and selling their designs and have been actively involved in their training to teach me how to teach you! I can provide mobile paint parties, online paint parties, in person at my office parties, and sell art kits to send to you in your home!! These are not therapy groups, these are fun classes to enjoy the relaxation art can provide.
At each event I would have visual and written directions, a pre-traced canvas- wooden craft piece, plant pot or ceramic item pending the hosts choice, paint, brushes, aprons, and other miscellaneous items ready to go.
All registrants would need to do is preregister for the event and show up with a desire to have a fun time with friends or come solo and want to meet others! I would have small selection of simple beverages and snacks available for small donation for those who’d want a little extra.
Hosting groups of paint parties is a fun adventurous way of having a night out and coming home with something super awesome or cute- maybe even a gift for someone if not a gift for oneself.
While I can host general community paint nights, hosts (not me!) can choose to have a theme- ladies night, sleepover, birthday party, fundraiser, mother daughter night out, etc.
…. As painting isn’t for everyone…
I do currently host a “walk and talk fox cities meetup” group that is slowly getting started as the weather clears up. You can now find us on Facebook or meetup.com.
Look forward to meeting you one way or another! It’s nice to meet others with shared interests and have a variety to choose from, this is something I can offer my community.
