Weaving on simple frame looms lends itself to contemplation and self-inquiry. Everything from choosing colors, textures, materials and shape are part of the process of creating a woven piece that is entirely unique and meaningful for the creator. I use this medium in several ways in my work with people. I’ll list them below:

~ Weaving a Life Series: I had the great pleasure of working with and learning from Susan Barrett Merrill, who created the Weaving a Life series. These are a series of seven woven projects completed on a simple frame loom. The weaver is invited to deeply reflect on what they are working through at any given time, while they create something beautiful and imbued with meaning. As a certified Weaving a Life leader, I will take the weaver through these projects in a personal and individually relevant way.

~ Individualized Projects: I also help individuals design unique projects that are specific to a given longing, process, or developmental stage. The project is born from conversation, exploration and inquiry that shapes the weaving itself. We can decide together how the process will unfold and make a plan from there.

~ Weaving Through Grief: As a therapist who relies heavily on language and expression of feelings through words to help people sort out difficult times in life, it might sound funny for me to say “that’s not the only way through the long tunnel of grief”. We grieve all kinds of things. Loss of a loved one through death is certainly one grief journey. So is the ending of an important relationship, estrangement from a family member, loss of a job, loss of a lifestyle due to chronic illness or disability, death of a pet, loss of a home… There are so many ways we must face the realities of a life that is not what we planned or what we wanted. It’s not easy, and sometimes it’s hard to put into words.

Taking time to create a piece of art that contains textures, colors, symbols and artifacts that reflect what we have loved and lost helps us to metabolize our experience of grief through the body. It’s another pathway to healing. The very process of weaving and other handcrafts is linked to positive outcomes in relation to depression, anxiety, stress, grief and even sleep.

Together, we will create projects that are tailored to your own journey through grief. Projects will be suitable for individual experience, and time and space availability.

Weaving, hand stitching, knitting and crochet are all possibilities to explore.

~ Things to know about therapeutic weaving and weaving through grief:

This is not a one-size-fits-all process.

No former weaving experience is necessary.

Experienced weavers will feel right at home.

There are never times when it doesn’t make sense to connect with yourself and the journey you are on.

In-person and remote options are available.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact me here.