Healing Postpartum: Crafting Supportive Spaces for Moms with Art Therapy | Ruth Sze, MFT

In this conversation, Helen interviews Ruth Sze, an art therapist and marriage and family therapist, about her work with postpartum moms. Ruth shares her personal journey of becoming a mom and going back to school to pursue her passion for art therapy.

Takeaways

• Art therapy can be a powerful tool for expressing subconscious needs and emotions.
• The postpartum period can be a time of joy, but also loneliness, grief, and guilt.
• Creating a safe space for moms to share their experiences and process their emotions is crucial.
• Mindfulness and self-compassion are important for healing intergenerational trauma and building resilience. Mom guilt can be a significant barrier to self-care and personal fulfillment.
• It is important for moms to challenge societal expectations and define their own version of a good mom.
• Finding time for self-care requires intentional time blocking and prioritization.
• Art therapy can support mindfulness, emotional expression, and reflection in the journey of self-discovery and understanding.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction of Ruth and Her Work
• 03:18 Focus on Postpartum Population
• 06:25 Ruth's Journey to Grad School
• 11:40 Ruth's Experience as a New Mom in Grad School
• 17:38 Structure of the Postpartum Mom Group
• 22:40 Healing Intergenerational Trauma
• 29:33 Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
• 36:33 Struggles with Having Fun
• 37:40 The Impact of Mom Guilt
• 39:39 Exploring the Idea of a Good Mom
• 41:01 Navigating Guilt and Shame
• 42:32 Finding Time for Self-Care
• 43:29 Overcoming the 'I Don't Know What to Do' Barrier
• 46:39 Incorporating Art Therapy into the Practice
• 51:05 The Experience of Being a Third Culture Kid
• 57:38 Using Art as a Form of Expression and Understanding