Nomungrel Enkhtuvshin, an intern from Mongolia working for Counseling Services, said painting self-portraits helps people express themselves and cope with physical and emotional pain.
Enkhtuvshin said she took an art therapy course taught by Eric Orr, assistant professor in the Faculty of Sciences, where students created a life-size body portrait by outlining themselves on a large piece of paper. Within that portrait, she explained, students illustrated their childhood, a life-changing event and their ideal or future self.
On March 17, Enkhtuvshin said she facilitated a therapy session and led a similar activity with the goal of teaching participants how to manage anxiety. Each student rendered an illustration of themselves depicting their characteristics and life goals.
Enkhtuvshin said she wanted students to create an abstract form of painting instead of realism. She said instead of focusing on likeness she wanted students to focus on expressing their emotions.
The purpose of this activity was for students to recognize a life-changing event, determine whether it was positive or negative event and remind them of the control they have over their future, she explained.
Marissa Browne, a sophomore TESOL major from Michigan, said it was useful to reflect on her life. She said she enjoys art and found it relaxing to express her anxieties through art. “I think it’s a good way of expressing feelings that are hard to say sometimes.”
Eben-ezer Gonzales, a freshman graphic design major from the Philippines, expressed admiration for the school for putting on events where students can learn to cope with difficult experiences. Growing up, he said he enjoyed creating art and believes it is a good way to release personal feelings.
Gonzales said Enkhtuvshin told them it didn’t matter how their portraits looked and he enjoyed not having constraints over their illustrative efforts.