Attaching a positive spin is always a priority

As art therapist and personal coach, Susan enjoys motivating others, individuals as well as groups of all sizes, adults or children. En groupe or one-to-one, her style is mindful, truthful, practical, playful, and purposeful. The intention: to help assuage life’s challenges, consistently, persistently, and with heart.

The American Art Therapy Association chose Susan for their International Spotlight, Spring 2010 Newsletter, available here as PDF.

Consultations

Susan works holistically and realistically, considers and connects what clients wish to achieve with pacing and goals that are appropriate and timely. Step by step processes are tailored to meet individual needs, blocks lifted to make space for fresh possibilities. When “no-thinking” turns into “yes-doing” there are a lot more options!

Approach: "We work as a team. It’s not just what happens at a session. Homework and practice matter:  enthusiasm to be an active participant. Once effort and instinct kick in, there's movement—and magic!

Consultations: in person, on the phone, on-line.

Public Speaking and Presentations

Susan is an inspirational and charismatic public speaker in both corporate and more personal settings, locally and internationally. Her presentations and workshops draw on diverse and evolving experience and expertise. Her published books are a testimony to contributions in the field of expressive arts therapies. Upcoming publications and on-going art-making projects show an ever-growing range of skills, interests, and sympathies.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Expressive arts therapies and creativity
• Food's pleasures and pains
• Practical tips and necessities
• Single, solo, and relationships
• Travel and relocation
• Writing for personal and professional development

Self-Help/Inspirational Doodles

Susan is a big fan of doodle-making for stress relief and reflection. We doodle not only when we're bored, but also when we're frustrated, lonely, or confused. No particular skill or talent is required for doodling. Perhaps, the less the better. Susan has tips and details:

1. The doodle is (usually) for the doodler's eyes only. But you never know what might emerge and who might be interested in seeing it. When there's no pressure to perform, produce, or complete something, we're often more relaxed. What develops can surprise us, as well as those with whom we choose to share.
2. It's easy to make a personal doodle kit—one that's small and light enough to accompany you most anywhere. Contents: doodle paper or notebook that can be as tiny as 3 inches square, pencil or pen, small packet of markers, pastels, or pencil crayons. Mini-kits don't draw unnecessary attention when used during a lecture, beside the phone, at your desk, under the table, on the bus, or...?
3. Doodling can become a personal healer and friend. No need to be stuck for company or entertainment. Also,  batteries, fees, or cables aren't required. Doodling is a low-tech, cost-effective way to play, grow, unwind, simplify, and...?
4. Doodling may be a well-kept secret, or a survival strategy/life line. Intentions vary. Sometimes, the more you doodle, the more you'll want to. Other times, there's no desire. Even infrequent doodlers hav little difficulty getting back into it—like riding a bicycle, but without storage or maintenance problems. Doodling materials fit in your pocket, no rusting!
5. Doodle symbols, styles, shapes, and forms may be produced over and again, and usually not for any apparent reason. Most people realize, eventually, that they have their own identifiable repertoire. Regardless, the beauty of doodling is realizing no matter what you end up creating, you can't be graded or analyzed for it (unless you seek to be). Some who become hooked on doodling decide to share their doodles, or use them as sketches for bigger artistic creations.
6. Notice what's pleasing, beneficial, or original in your doodles. It can be an "aha" moment. Susan believes that the best gifts come from unexpected sources, like this one.

Viewing Susan's Doodles

Sometimes, Susan gives her doodles names. Other times, a statement, reflection, or poem is attached. What she writes can depend on a variety of factors: the medium used (ink, watercolor, or pastel), the size and form of the doodle, the time the doodle takes to complete, or the time spent contemplating. Some words are inspirational. Others say things plainly—point out truths, realities, or assumptions that can be hard to hear or accept. Certain images speak for themselves, like many of the hearts. No matter how, why, or when words are chosen that accompany the doodles, they offer viewers, as well as creators, opportunities to vent, celebrate, stress, accept. Moments in time are recorded and represented.

By sharing her personal doodles, Susan hopes viewers will feel encouraged to try doodling for their own self-help. Always worth a try!

To see the doodles, please click on links given below, or examples in the left hand column. New pages will open. Viewing instructions are included on each. Enjoy!

• Ink and Poetry
• Pastel and Poetry
• Watercolor and Ink Reflections
• Hearts and Words: Ink, Watercolor, Pastel
• No Words: Hearts
• No Words: Ink, Watercolor, Pastel

Commentaries

"Dr. Makin is a leader and a role model and she stands out among so many other professionals because she is an independent thinker and a free spirit. She is profoundly sincere and compassionate. When Dr. Makin commits to a client, she goes the extra mile." (teacher/care-giver)

"Dr. Makin exhibits extreme dedication to her clients' well being. In her work she is constantly taking into consideration the many variables that may add to or detract from her clients' progress. Her expertise and empathetic nature instill a high level of confidence in her clients knowing that they are working with an accomplished professional who cares!" (CEO/volunteer fundraiser)

"Dr. Makin has an innate gift that can untie what keeps one from moving on. She is an enabler." (social worker/single mother)

"Dr. Makin has consistently provided me with sound advice in a variety of important situations. She is considerate, determined, insightful, kind and dedicated. Her down-to-earth wisdom—based on sound judgement and an intuitive understanding of my circumstances and personality—has greatly helped me." (scientist/mature student)

"Dr. Makin is an exceptional listener. I get the sense that she really understands my journey. And from that position, her advice emanates empathy and hope." (entrepreneur/single father)

"Dr. Makin is an exceptional advisor—brilliant, insightful, a great listener. Always able to help brainstorm a creative solution to a tough problem. She really cares about her clients and is always available." (business developer/event planner)

Are you aware? "Art Therapy" has been added to the National Institutes of Health's professional career database. Also, CareerBuilders.com, a leading US job recruitment service, named "art therapist" as one of the "ten hot jobs for 2007." Both the American Art Therapy Association and the Canadian Art Therapy Association offer more detailed information and resources.