Ithaca College

For Creative Artists Only: An Emotional Safe Harbor is a group CAPS would like to start soon.  It would be virtual on zoom.

This pandemic has been difficult for everyone. However, social and emotional isolation can hit creative artists even harder (being alone with feelings, letting feelings go unexpressed, etc.).  CAPS would like to create a safe place for creative artists in the IC community to gather with like-minded and hearted individuals. This is not for art majors only.  If being a creative artist is one part of your identity, this group might be for you.  This would be mostly unstructured, weekly attendance would not be required, no paperwork, no need to be a CAPS client.  

The group could include some of the following:  

• A chance for students to express their emotions through sharing their art (music, creative writing, poetry, scripts, dance, monologues, photography, drawings, etc.). Or you can share art created by others but speaks to you emotionally (movie clips, songs, poems, etc.).  
• Will function as a support group  
• Provide some coping skills practice when appropriate.  
• Individual informal consultations with a CAPS counselor will be available, as well, for students who request it.  

The main objective is to create a safe place for creative students to not be alone emotionally. So, the primary focus of the group is emotional expression. This will be a safe place to express yourself and be truly and deeply heard and seen by others. This will not be a space for critiques or feedback about the art itself. This will be a no-competition zone.   

If you have any questions or would like to attend, please email Ron Dow at rdow@ithaca.edu.

Once there are enough group members who are interested, we will get started.  Ron will find a time based on the schedules of group members so please send him your availability, as well.