Mock Client Sam: 6: Significant Loss & at Age 75

Draw a picture of a significant loss you have experienced

SAM: A significant loss is the respect I used to see in my son's eyes.   I used to feel like the sun up in the sky when he looked at me.  Now all I see is disappointment.

Draw a picture of yourself at 75 years old.  Where are you?  Who are you with, what are you doing?  Are you able, disabled?

SAM: When I try to picture myself at 75 I just draw a blank.  Here are my worst-case best-case scenarios.

Worst case: I am in the graveyard, cold and alone, dead.  Nobody visits my grave.

Best case: I am well, the cancer is in full remission.  My wife has forgiven my past indiscretions.  We live a quiet, happy, and healthy life together.  Our son is also happy, forgives me, has a family of his own; they visit us regularly for family dinners. 

Mock Client Sam: 5: Hardest Thing & Non-dominant Hand

What is the hardest thing you have ever done?

SAM: The hardest thing I have ever had to do was tell my wife I had betrayed her and our marriage.  I felt like I was nothing, like I was garbage that should just be thrown away.  I wanted to just jump into a hole and die.

Using non-dominant hand, draw a happy memory

Sam- I have happy memories of a fishing and camping trip with my wife and son when he was a teenager; it was one of those rare trips where everything just goes right.  Great weather, beautiful setting, the fish were biting, and we all just got along peacefully.  It was one of the few times where we could all just be together and not fight or argue. 

Mock Client Sam: 4: Positive Childhood Memory & Moving Away

Depict a positive childhood memory

SAM: My earliest positive childhood memories are of hanging out at my Grandparent's house in the country.  Grandma was so sweet and cooked the best food.  Grandpa and I would have a fire at night and roast marshmallows and just hang out quietly.

Depict how you would feel about moving away from your family and friends.

SAM: If I think about moving away from here and from everyone, to be honest, my feeling is relieved. I've made such a mess of things here. I know it's just a fantasy. Thinking I could start over; away from my cancer and my disappointed family, but it's a very tempting fantasy nonetheless.

Mock Client Sam: 3: Greatest Accomplishment & Animal Family

What is your greatest accomplishment?

SAM: My greatest accomplishment has been earning respect and a living as a professional sculptor, which is NOT an easy thing to do.   I provided for my family; my wife got to stay home and raise our son.  Sometimes I wish they would give me a little credit for that.  I probably should have been more focused on being a husband and father, but it is what it is.  I cannot undo the past.

Create a collage depicting your family as animals

SAM: My family is from the canine group, we may fight to protect you or be loud and dangerous.  I am the lone wolf, watching and protecting, but not always 100% there.  My wife, tireless foundation of our family, is an Australian Shepherd.  Our son, (in our hearts he’ll always be a pup) is a Pit Bull; fiercely loyal and stubborn.  Our home is a lovely mountain, recently damaged by fire.

Mock Client Sam: 2: Circus Animal & New Career

If you were a circus animal what would you be?

SAM: If I were in the circus, I would be the lion.  All I want is to lie in the sun with my family, enjoying some fresh meat once in a while.  Instead, I’m poked and prodded by the trainer, forced to jump through hoops.  Sometimes the hoops are on fire.

 What are your feelings about starting a new career?

SAM: The thought of starting a new career scares me to death.  I’m a sculptor, that’s all I know.  I would not even know where to begin.  I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.  I do not have any other valuable skills, and don’t know how well I could work with others.

Mock Client Sam: 1: Clinical Art Therapy

For Clinical Art Therapy, we are given a bare bones description of a "mock client" (we have 3 choices, choose one) whom we then "flesh out" with our own details.
I chose Sam, male, 50, sculptor, has wife and a son he's estranged from.  Recently learned he has cancer, depressed.  I added details: was unfaithful to wife in past, family found out, hence his estrangement from son. Sam and wife worked it out, but marriage has been very strained since.  Sam has brain cancer, unusual behaviors, went to doctor, found out he has brain cancer.

Directions for first assignment: create an artwork of choice, and if you were a tree, what would you be?