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Kihei Charter High School

Abstract Mindfulness

Art Therapy Group for Teens

Melody Ozuna

Senior Seminar, Period 6

Mr. Niko

September 11th, 2020

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Preface

My project is to create a teen art therapy group where there will be mindful activities,

sharing, weekly discussions, and more. I want to create a safe space for kids my age. COVID-19

has impacted all lives in many ways, I, and many others, have succumbed to extreme social

anxiety. Even more than before, I am scared to talk to others, do public speaking, and reach out

to my friends. I don’t want anyone else to have to experience what I am and if they are, I don’t

want them to feel alone. My project will be for teens, male or female, between the ages of 14-18.

Last year, when I was brainstorming project ideas for my junior project, I wanted to

create a teen therapy group. I think it’s very important to give back to the community and mental

health is an important topic that isn’t talked about or targeted enough. Back then, I didn’t have a

professional to work with. Now that I have the opportunity to make my original idea happen, I

am going to help in any way that I can. What’s unique about this teen therapy group is the art

aspect. Everyone will have the opportunity to creatively express themselves in whatever form

they choose.
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Introduction

Problem & Driving Question

The problem that I am targeting is the poor mental health going on in the world and our

community that has been caused by COVID-19. My driving question is, “What can I do to better

the mental health of teens in my community?”

Mentors

My mentor, the therapist that will be conducting the therapy group and whom I will be

working with, is Ann Van Patten. She is a licensed psychotherapist with over 12 years of

experience working with individuals, couples and families. She has a Master’s Degree from

Lewis & Clark College in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in treating Children,

Adolescents, and families. She has been licensed in the state of Hawaii since 2010 and has

advanced trainings in couples therapy, trauma treatment and yoga/mindfulness practices.

My other mentor is Jessica Brazil, who is my aunt and boss, founder of MLG, a yoga

instructor, and a psychotherapist. She has over 16 years of experience specializing in clinical and

rural social work. She has a practice providing direct psychotherapy, supervision, and consulting

services. She also provides public speaking engagements, continuing education services, leads

international and local mindfulness retreats, helps implement mindfulness programs and self-care

workshops in schools and business, and works as a Practicum Instructor for the University of

Hawaii Masters of Social Work program.

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Jessica also served on the National Association of Social Workers board for over 10

years, is a former research assistant with Eastern Washington University, former professor at

Northwest Nazarene University, and former Director of Mindfulness Programs for Maui

Recovery. Aside from helping me make Ann a contact, she is the overseer of everything I am

working on with my internship, this group, and has been showing me the ropes on the career path

of a psychotherapist.

Key Content Knowledge

Some key content knowledge I will need to continue studying up on is what ACT is and

its uses combined with art therapy for adolescents. ACT is Acceptance and Commitment

Therapy, a type of treatment specialized in helping people dealing with mild stress, PTSD,

depression, and other sever psychological disorders. My mentor has provided me a book to look

into and will soon send over other videos and articles to further develop my understanding.

21st Century Skills

The 21st century skills that I will be utilizing throughout this project include information

skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, self-directional skills, and financial, economic,

and business literacy. I have been using my informational skills to design flyers, read up on what

ACT is and studying what the life of a psychotherapist is like, and to get into contact with and

keep contact with my mentors and other people to seek for guidance.
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Which, goes into the next skill, communication skills. More than ever, it is becoming

harder and harder to talk with people in person, or online. I have had to adapt and have my first

introductions with numerous people all on google hangouts, emails, and other private messaging

sites. So far, I’ve only met with Ann, in person, once and will soon be meeting with her again in

person. Although I do not know her very well yet, we have done a ton of back and forth emailing

threads.

To connect those communicational skills, I have also improved my interpersonal skills.

Of course,, everyone is bound to work with different kinds of people they may not know, but

outside of school I don’t think I’ve ever really partnered up with someone I am unfamiliar with.

There are other therapists that we’ve all talked with and it has definitely been a new experience

working with people older than me in a professional environment.

My self-directional skills have been majorly tested throughout all of this already.

Juggling a senior project, work/an internship, and three college courses has been a lot. I haven’t

had much time for myself outside of keeping busy with all of these, so there have been many of

times where I struggle to keep myself on top of everything. I am working on my time

management skills more than ever, so I hope to continue going up on this road of learning.

Lastly, my financial, economic, and business literacy skills. My project is much bigger

than what I had hoped for. It is a paid number of events that is connected to my internship/work

place. My aunt started this whole business and has been having me listen in on some behind the

scenes and I am working on organizing, budgeting, supply lists, advertising, and more. It has

truly become an experience that will hopefully prepare me for the future in opening up my own

business or practice.
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Limitations

A setback I’ve already encountered is the fact that I won’t be able to set up, be present during the

sessions, or help clean up. I have a college course from 3-4:15pm on Wednesdays and the

meetings are at 2:30pm on the same day. I already tried to speak with Ann about doing it on

another day because when we originally talked she was planning on Fridays, but she was not

willing to change her mind. I can help out with the planning, do weekly check ins, and work on

other things though. This is the biggest and most frustrating thing that I’m dealing with, as far as

my project goes, and I hope to figure out more ways to be as involved as possible.

Deliverables

I’m not really sure what I will turn in for evaluation, as far as documentation goes, but

I’m hoping that some people will be willing to have their artwork be photographed and

presented. I will definitely turn in the final product of the flyer I spent weeks working on and the

newsletters though.
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Resources & Activities

Materials/Budget

As far as materials go, we are going to need hula hoops, paint supplies, canvases, paint,

and supply holders for everyone. The supply list is still a work in progress that Ann and I are

working on figuring it out and finalizing. We’ll be able to accept some insurances as payment

from those that sign up, but otherwise it will cost each person $200 for the whole 10 weeks,

including the cost for all of the art supplies. The cost for the flyer I designed was $2 and the

printer ink costed $17. It won’t cost any money for the publicity but I have already spent a lot of

time working on my project and will continue to dedicate countless more. I don’t need to do any

fundraising because any costs will come out of MLG’s funding and we’ll end up making it all

back.
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Timeline:

August

Driving question & meeting with Ann 8/28

September

Began creating flyer 9/1

Elevator pitch 9/2

Turned in physical flyer draft 9/8

Physical Flyer completed 9/10

Project Proposal & meeting with Ann/headshot 9/11

Digital flyer draft 9/11

Project description sent out in newsletter 9/12

Digital flyer 2rd draft 9/17

Final Digital Flyer sent out/Meeting w/ Ann- art project ideas, supplies, etc 9/18

Talked with Ms. Lindsey and emailed Mrs. Federoff about advertising 9/22

My work being uploaded to the business site 9/23

Project begin date postponed 9/25

Talked with Mr. Niko 9/29

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October

Timeline due 10/1

Talked with Mr. Niko/begin working on modified project plan 10/1

Meeting with Jessica regarding project situation 10/1

Continue working on supply list for Ann 10/2

Message Mr. Niko and Mrs. Federoff with project plan 10/5

First group meeting 10/7

Work on meeting plans/group work 10/9

Second meeting & 1st blog due 10/14

Online expert interview with Jessica Brazil & work on meeting plan 10/16

Third meeting & 2nd blog 10/21

Work on meeting plans 10/23

Fourth meeting & 3rd blog 10/28

November

Fourth meeting & 4th blog 11/4

Meeting with Ann/think about deliverables 11/6

Fifth meeting & 5th blog 11/11

Work on progress presentation 11/12

Work on progress presentation 11/14

Progress presentation 11/16

Sixth meeting & 6th blog 11/18

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Meeting with Ann/figure out deliverables 11/20

Begin argumentative essay research 11/22

Seventh meeting & 7th blog 11/25

Continue essay research 11/29

December

Eighth meeting 12/2

Begin writing essay 12/6

Work on essay 12/7

Ninth meeting & working on essay 12/9

Last meeting 12/16

Argumentative essay 12/11

Finalize Deliverables 12/17

Meet with Ann & reflect 12/18

Project is finished after final documentation

Begin working on final presentation