Case Study: Women Growing Up in Patriarchal Family
Expressive Arts Therapist: Liz Tong
Service User: Yat
Women growing up in patriarchal families may feel neglected, unfair, powerless, or feels unimportant. Yat accumulated a lot of resentment because of the older generation's preference for sons. As her family always denied it, she was unable to express or articulate her feelings. She had a love-hate relationship with her mother, wanting to give up but unable to let go.
Using sound to connect with inner needs
During the meeting, I noticed Yat's inner conflict, so I let her choose an instrument to help her connect with her inner needs. Yat chose the ocean drum, and through the sound of the ocean drum, she associated it with images of ocean waves.
Yat: The waves pushes them away.
Liz : Well, it pushes something away. Do you want the wave to push away your mother? Or so you want to push away the bad memories and feelings?
Yat: The memories and feelings.
I asked Yat if she had ever felt her mother's love while growing up. She immediately recalled some moments. I guided Yat to become aware of this love within her, and her inner body sensations. Yat cried, she looks more relaxed , and I felt that those tears released some of her inner struggle.
Later, through clay-making and drama enactment, Yat expressed the suppressed anger and resentment.
***The patient has given consent to share the therapy process.
Further Reading:
Individual Expressive Arts Therapy
Service Scope
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Reduce emotional distress (such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.).
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Psychological Trauma
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Dealing with relationship problems
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Boost self-confidence/self-esteem
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Managing academic/workplace stress
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Promote parent-child relationship/communication
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Enhance social skills
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Increase self-awareness