Setting boundaries with my clients

As I've began to lead and participate in my classes, I have noticed that boundaries has become a hot topic for me. I find that the boundaries are slightly different at Riverside for me than at my other internships because there are a few clients I know from outside of Riverside. This has led me to think about ways to set boundaries for my internship that are clear to the clients who are friends with my older sister, who has worked at Riverside.

One client, who knows my sister from work and special olympics, often asks if he can come over my house to visit my sister. While this is a person my sister is friendly with, I don't feel comfortable mixing my professional and personal relationships. In this situation I told the client that while my sister would love to see him, right now isn't the appropriate time because I work at Riverside. I told him he could call my sister on the phone if he would like to talk to her.

There was another case where I had to set boundaries with a client by telling him I had to keep my professional and personal affairs separate. A client had mentioned he did not have a ride to his human rights meeting in Boston. He asked if I could drive him and he would take me to dinner and pay for gas. I told the client that I was sorry but as an intern I cannot do that. I told him that he should ask some of his friends, and I'm sure somebody would love to take him.

Apart from some boundary setting, I had a great week working with clients on their art pieces. I worked with a couple clients from dayhab, instructing them when to wash their brushes or change colors. I also helped some clients come up with new ideas for art pieces or offered suggestions to help strengthen current pieces. Today, I worked with a client in the advance art class to create a sketch for a collaborative piece. This client does these "split portrait" paintings where one half of the face looks different from the other side. He decided our theme would be "The Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air". Our sketch came out great and I am really enjoying working in collaboration with a client. Next week, we will begin painting on an 11x14 canvas.  I can't wait to experience the process of a collaborative piece!

"The Elements Face" sketch

Introductions: Getting to Know Mary Jamieson and Riverside Industries Inc.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Mary Jamieson and I am a senior Art Therapy major at Lesley University. This is my final internship and class at Lesley. I am very excited for a brand new experience with a new population. Throughout my internship experiences, I wanted to be able to challenge myself by stepping outside of my comfort zones and work with a variety of different clients. I have made it a goal of mine to bring the healing nature of art to my internships so clients may explore creative ways of expression.  I look forward to my experience this summer, as well as reflecting on my past experiences, personal growth, and hopes for the future in my senior integrative paper.

My internship for the summer is located in the small town of Easthampton, MA. Riverside Industries Inc. is a work site that empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to attain the jobs they want, while receiving therapeutic care and support. The mission of Riverside Industries states:

Riverside Industries Inc. Exists: to serve people with perceived limitations. Encourages: those it serves to be participating members of their communities, sharing the privileges and obligations of their fellow citizens. Enables: people to choose to work to get the jobs they want with the assistance they need. Ensures: that people maximize their abilities through therapeutic options. Educates: people to take control over the things in their lives that they value. Enlightens the community about the abilities and challenges of the people we serve and asks for its philanthropic support.

Within Riverside Industries I am an intern at Riverside Arts, an art program for the workers of Riverside Industries . I was drawn to Riverside Arts initially because my older sister had been one of the artist here before she became ill. She had always talked about the art program and how great it would be if I could intern there. When I thought about potential sites, Riverside Arts stood out because I realized it would help me learn new techniques and ways to adapt art making for individuals with physical limitations. Riverside Arts has an additional mission statement:

WE BELIEVE Every individual has the potential to flourish through the creative process. Participating in the arts gives individuals a sense of purpose, self-empowerment, and community. Exhibitions of work are opportunities to share these accomplishments thereby fostering awareness in the broader community. 

As an intern at Riverside Arts, I assist the artists in developing new ideas, continuing to shape their work, and offering support to the artists as they create. In the dayhab classes, I might have to give more one-on-one attention to artists whose physical limitations require additional assistance. Before classes, I help set up and prep and at the end of classes I help clean up supplies and walk artists back to their work spaces. I also assist in the framing and matting of art pieces for upcoming art shows. I intern at Riverside Arts four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

Drawing from my first week at RSI Arts.

I look forward to getting to know all of the artists at Riverside Arts and watching their creative process as they create beautiful works of art! By the end of the summer, I hope to have improved my skills in working with individuals with developmental disabilities in a creative setting.