Containing Raw Energy
Therapeutic Reflection
The Clay Container intervention is a tactile tool that bridges the gap between raw physical energy and cognitive insight. By engaging the "haptic" sense, this intervention facilitates the body's need for regressive communication, which is vital for critical reflection.
Theoretical Application
Humanistic Approach: The coil pot process encourages experimentation and personal growth as the vessel evolves across the stages of completion.
Sensory-Motor: Tactile stimulation helps ground the mind through sensory-motor movements, linking subconscious memories, allowing for "bottom-up" emotional processing.
Symbolism: For clients experiencing grief or loss, the flexibility of clay facilitates the transformation of emotional pain into muscular exertion, creating a meaningful, tangible expression of mending.
Constructive Focus: For clients struggling with anger or eating disorders, working with clay nurtures a safe environment in which to assert control with intention, giving an outlet for high-intensity energy to become a functional manifestation.
Clinical Considerations
Physical Capacity: The effectiveness of clay as a therapeutic material in an intervention depends on the client's ability to manipulate dense material. It may be contraindicated for those with joint pain or muscular sensitivity.
Accessibility: Consider using air-dry or oven-bake clay for clients without access to a kiln. Clients with whom the intervention is successful can supplement these materials as an immediate, practical, and "forgiving" alternative to clay.
Artist Statement(s)
“Containing Raw Energy”
The rhythmic act of kneading and scoring a damp lump of earth into a vessel holds literal and symbolic value. The material's resistance required me to use physical strength, challenging my shallow, ruminative thoughts. I grew more patient as the vessel took shape, rolling, joining, and smoothing the coils one on top of the other. The more progress I made, the more refined and patient my hands became. This journey from raw clay to a fired and finished piece demonstrates accelerated growth and permanent change. — Unformed energy and emotions are put to use and given purpose.
The final coil pot vessel serves as a symbol of competence and effort. It is a container for physical objects crafted by the energy of subconscious memories and intentions. Emotional processing continues through smoothing and preparing the clay piece for drying and firing, a process that cannot be rushed. It requires stages of heat, pressure, and patience to become solid.