Jane Gordon, LCPAT, ATR-BC, Art Therapist and co-author of “Color Me Closer”

Art therapist Jane Gordon, in collaboration with Dr. Lark Eshelman, has created a unique therapeutic coloring book, “Color Me Closer,” designed for people to color in pairs. This coloring book, produced and funded by For All Seasons, is a resource for supporting children who have experienced trauma, or for anyone who wants to improve relationships or just relax and have fun together.

The coloring book began its journey after Gordon talked to Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons, about her idea for helping clients at For All Seasons where she works. Langrell comments, “I saw the power of what the pages could do for people.”

Gordon comments, “I am passionate about what I do with art therapy. I wanted to produce something that could support people with their mental health. Coloring books are all the rage now. Creating is a nice activity for people to do together and inspires and causes connection.”

Each page of the coloring book has a theme. As the coloring book progresses, the pictures evolve from individual images to images that connect to each other and from inanimate objects to animate objects. It can be used in guided therapy, or participants can select an image to address issues.  The spiral-bound format has perforated pages so that pages can be torn out and saved. You can also add elements or notes to the pictures in the book.

A 12-year-old client from For All Seasons who lost a parent commented, “It’s so much fun! I love coloring with my mom, my pop-pop, and my mom-mom. It makes me feel happy.”

Caroline Eglseder, LMSW, who works at For All Seasons, states, “’Color Me Closer’ is a rapport-building tool for working with children of any age. It supports mindfulness, building healthy coping skills, and increasing emotional regulation.”

A For All Seasons’ client and mother of three adds, “I keep the book in the back of my car so it’s handy for appointments or for the kids where I work. Honestly, it gives me a warm feeling seeing the kids color together and knowing I always have something fun and relaxing for them to do.”

Gordon, who is a board-certified, licensed art therapist with a career spanning 35 years, has a wide variety of experience working with traumatized children and adults in numerous settings. Her long-standing relationship with For All Seasons goes back over 27 years, and through the agency, she has connected with hundreds of families and children to provide mental health support.

“Anyone can enjoy using the coloring book. I am excited to see how enthusiastically people are responding to it. Children have used it on snow days, adults have colored at wine parties, and mothers and daughters have colored together. I am doing it with my 25-year-old daughter,” she adds.

“Initially, I thought I would use it as a workbook, but it became fascinating to see what picture clients chose to do. There is diagnostic information there. It shows where they are. By creating art together, a therapeutic alliance can be formed. The power of connection is visual, tangible evidence that something has happened. It’s so wonderful to have this as a tool for healing.”

Lark Eshleman, MLS, MS, Ph.D., Trauma Expert and co-author of “Color Me Closer”

Dr. Eshleman has a long-standing passion for children and healthy development, spanning back to her early days as an elementary school librarian.  After years as a school principal, as a trauma therapist, and teaching and sharing her work internationally, she wrote “Becoming a Family: Promoting Healthy Attachments with Your Adopted Child,” and developed programs and therapeutic treatment models for children whose early years are marked by violence or other traumatic breaks in attachment. Her programs are designed for use in schools, professional settings, and for families. “Color Me Closer” represents her exciting collaboration with art therapist and friend, Jane Gordon, and their mutual zeal for improving attachment and trauma for children.

“As an attachment specialist I have seen the benefits of structured parallel play to bring parent and child together in a therapy setting.  But, I knew there was something much stronger that could happen if families were given a structured method of continuing their healing at home. We also have known for a while that there is a great calming benefit to coloring,” states Dr. Eshleman.

“Together we have discovered so many more ways that ‘Color Me Closer’ is able to help children — for example, my cancer surgeon wants to use it to help her patients with young children to stay connected through an emotionally difficult time.  It’s so fun to create with Jane, who is a talented art therapist, and such a gift to be able to help children and families heal.”

In looking to the future, Langrell comments, “I hope the coloring book can go to places where people are experiencing trauma or disasters – places that need a bright light where things are dark.”

The cost of the coloring book is $10, plus $5 for shipping for one book. Each additional book to the same address can be shipped for $1 apiece. Coloring books may be purchased on the For All Seasons website forallseasonsinc.org.

On June 10 at noon, For All Seasons will hold a Book Launch on Facebook and Instagram. The event will include a coloring book giveaway.

For All Seasons provides therapy, advocacy, psychiatry, and education to Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties. The agency accepts all private insurances, medical assistance, and supports English and Spanish speaking individuals regardless of one’s ability to pay. For All Seasons 24-Hour, confidential crisis hotlines are 410.820.5600 for English Hotline and 410.829.6143 for Spanish Hotline. Text available in English or Spanish at 410.829.6143.

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For All Seasons continues to have availability for crisis appointments, in-person appointments, teletherapy, and telepsychiatry, as well as 24/7 hotlines during the COVID-19 crisis. Staff is available for both long-term and short-term appointments for anyone in need of support.

According to Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis, “Since April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we particularly want victims of trauma and sexual violence to know – we believe you, and we are here for you.”

“While we are hearing the message ‘stay home and be safe’ every day during this pandemic, what happens when home is not safe? If you or someone you know is a victim of trauma or sexual violence, our 24-hour agency hotlines in English and Spanish offer crisis support and intervention. You can even text now to get help.”

For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis advocates provide free and confidential services – offering guidance, compassion, and information about a survivor’s options, including but not limited to food, emergency shelter, and legal counsel if the client chooses.

During this time of COVID-19, the agency continues to follow safety regulations, as outlined by the CDC, for in-person appointments including – illness screening measures, 20-second handwashing at the entry to all facilities, social distancing guidelines, and increased office sanitation. The offices are open for appointments only.

For All Seasons staff is also reaching out to the community with Mental Health Minutes – timeless tips to help all of us navigate the challenges being faced daily. These uplifting posts are being shared regularly on Facebook and through other social media outlets.  For further information, visit For All Seasons Facebook page or forallseasonsinc.org or call 410-822-1018. For 24-hour confidential hotlines and crisis support, call the English Hotline is 410-820-5600; the Spanish Hotline is 410-829-6143; and the English or Spanish Text Line is 410-829-6143.

For All Seasons provides therapy, advocacy, psychiatry, and education to Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties. The agency accepts all private insurances, medical assistance, and supports English and Spanish speaking individuals regardless of one’s ability to pay. For All Seasons Rape Crisis Center offers a 24-HR crisis hotline service, certified sexual assault victim advocates, same-day and ongoing counseling services, and hospital, law enforcement and court accompaniment by request of the survivor. Contact 410.822.1018 or forallseasonsinc.org for further information. For the 24-HR confidential crisis hotlines call (English) 410.820.5600 for English Hotline; (Spanish) 410.829.6143. Text available in English or Spanish at 410.829.6143.

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In light of social distancing and the cancellation of large public events, For All Seasons has rethought its annual Denim Day Event event for April to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As the only Rape Crisis Center on the Mid Shore, For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis is hosting its first Facebook Live concert on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. The concert will feature Lauren Hall, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who most recently was featured as a Top 32 contestant on NBC’s The Voice, first being chosen by Kelly Clarkson and later being stolen by Blake Shelton.

Hall, since moving to Los Angeles from Chicago, has made her rounds singing and/or headlining at various Southern California venues such as the famous Whisky A Go-Go. Her vocals have been described as “soulful, with a touch of sass and rasp.” Her music blends soulful, strong, piano and vocally-driven songs with Pop/R&B stylings. Lauren is inspired by a large range of artists including Adele, Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Sam Smith, Lady Gaga, and Maggie Rogers. She is currently writing and recording new music and is set to release her debut EP in 2020.

Lauren Hall

“We are thrilled to have Lauren donate her time for this concert. It is an excellent way for us to reach new audiences while also spreading important information about sexual assault. We hope that our supporters, while sheltering in at home, will join us on Facebook Live on April 29 and afterward will make a donation toward our sexual assault advocacy services. As essential personnel, our staff continues to work to meet the needs of our clients on the Mid Shore,” Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons, comments.

Denim Day is an international day created after an Italian court overruled a 1999 rape conviction because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, implying consent. The next day, women in Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity.  Although still social distancing, citizens are encouraged to wear denim with a purpose on April 29 to show their support in ending sexual violence.

For further information on the April 29 concert, visit forallseasonsinc.org, visit For All Seasons Facebook page, or call 410-822-1018.

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We are home and now we are on lockdown following Governor Hogan’s latest message delivered on Monday, March 30, but for some of us, we have been home together for weeks now – home with our kids, our spouses, and even our parents or grandparents. Like many Americans, our households are made up of different ages, different maturity levels, and let’s face it – different personalities. While the threat to our physical health lurks outside our doors, perhaps one of the biggest threats to our mental health may be in our homes. So how do we all- just get along?

Susan Truitt, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Director of Clinical Services at For All Seasons, said,   “As humans, we often want to take ownership of someone else’s poor behavior – blaming yourself for their words and actions.”

She said it is helpful to recognize that the other person may be having a stress response.

With the talk of COVID-19 on television, social media, and in our everyday conversations, it is understandable to have an unusual heightened level of stress. Combine that with social distancing, self-isolation and an abundance of family time, and a typical healthy family unit can become a powder keg of emotions.

In order to diffuse those situations, Truitt offers ways we can balance ourselves and our relationships with others using compassion, empathy, and self-regulation.

Truitt said during these moments of tension with our loved ones is where compassion really comes into play – compassion for others and ourselves.

“Bring self-compassion to your thoughts, knowing you are all in a tough situation,” Truitt said. “Treat yourself just as you would a close friend. Step back and tell yourself what just happened is not about me. This person is not at their best right now.”

Truitt said being able to recognize their emotions and understand their perspectives in the situation might improve their mood and show them support through this challenging situation.

“You can show that person some empathy,” Truitt said. “Let them know that you understand they are having a hard time.”

She said it also important to acknowledge our own needs as well, even if that means stepping away for a moment.

“Let the person know, I want to be here for you, but I need a moment to myself,” Truitt said. “You may need to do things that you do not normally do such as take a walk outside.”

She adds, “Two dysregulated people cannot work out a problem. You need to become regulated in order to help regulate someone else.”

Truitt said “Regulation is the feeling of being grounded or calm. It is when we are able to take in information and provide information effectively.”

“We (clinicians) refer to it as being in your window of tolerance. Meaning you are in a place where you can tolerate what is happening around you and can respond appropriately.”

She said using the window as a guide helps people to stay self-regulated, knowing how to remain within those parameters and being able to acknowledge when one’s emotions may be leading them outside the window of tolerance.

“It is about taking the necessary steps, using the necessary skills and being able to settle back into this space mentally, emotionally, physically,” Truitt said.

There are many ways to maintain self-regulation, including using repetitive movements that help individuals feel centered such as exercise, knitting, rocking in a favorite chair, drawing, playing with Playdough or gardening. Another way to maintain self-regulation is by taking a walk around the house, or in the yard. Other helpful techniques include deep breathing and connecting with a safe person.

For other mental help tips, visit forallseasonsinc.org.

For All Seasons serves Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties. For All Seasons Rape Crisis Center offers certified sexual assault victim advocates, counseling and support groups, free and confidential services in English and Spanish, support in the hospital, police department, and court and referrals to social and legal services. For All Seasons English Hotline is 1-800-310-RAPE (7273) and Spanish Hotline is 410-829-6143.

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