nfralick
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 10:27
Edited Text
Shed It All
PRACTICES TO CHANGE OUR MINDS
A DECOLONIAL
THERAPY DECK
MAKE TIME
1/15
The system — intersectional
oppression & capitalism — we live
within does not want us to have
time to think, breathe, or rest
Shed It All invites us to make
the time to change our minds
BREATHE
When we make time to breathe
we regulate our central nervous
systems and reclaim autonomy
over our bodies. The cards help
us breathe when we slow down
to shuffle, select, and reflect.
THINK
When we make time to think we
can reflect and become aware of
how we have been treated. The
cards help us to cultivate self
awareness through call and
response.
REST
When we make time to rest we can
dream up new ways of being in right
relationship with ourselves and each
other. The cards help us to rest by
giving us an opportunity to use our
imagination.
ABOUT
2/15
Shed It All is a decolonial therapy deck created for those who are feeling the
impact intersectional oppression is having on their mental health. For those
who are weary and wondering if change is coming these cards were created
with you in mind.
Change may feel impossible...especially considering the systems of power
that are working to keep us complacent, confused, or misused. Shed It All
invites us to direct our energy to create change from within. Change that
ripples out into our communities.
With the understanding that what we can do is the important work of
healing the effect these systems have on our minds. By taking the time
to reflect on, repair, and re-imagine our mental health.
THE CARDS
3/15
Shed It All introduces three ways we can change our minds via the process
of reflecting, repairing, and re-imagining
Reflect
Reflection cards support us in
processing the effect intersectional
oppression has on our mental health.
Repair
Repairing cards initiate integration
of newfound knowledge, found via
reflection, in order to heal the effect
intersectional oppression has had
on our mental health.
Re-imagine
Re-imagining cards inspire us to
envision a world and life beyond the
impact of intersectional oppression.
DEFINITIONS
Decolonizing
Mental Health
Highlighting how trauma from
oppression and colonization plays a
role in mental health. Offering the
proper support we need to cope with
and heal from that trauma (Zapata,
2020).
Art Therapy
"Art therapy is the use of nonverbal
creative processes using paints, pastels,
clay, etc., as communications for aiding in
problem-solving, healing and individual
growth" (Venture, 1976).
4/15
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is how multiple
identities interact to create unique
patterns of oppression. Identities such
as our race, gender, culture,
socioeconomic status, abilities, etc.
Therapy Deck
A therapy card deck may be
“instructional, designed to be used in
therapy, or intended to be played with
family and friends." (Lyford, 2022, pg.
11).
ART AS THERAPY
5/15
As an artist and art therapist I have experienced the transformative and healing power of
self expression. It has allowed me to express myself, heal myself, and to imagine
different possibilities for my life.
Art therapy can take place in traditional individual or group sessions. However, art
therapy can also take place in community, with an emphasis on accessible access to
mental health care in schools, forensic systems, inpatient or outpatient programs,
hospitals, after school care, summer camps, and more.
As I reflected on my journey to mental health I realized that my practice emphasizes
accessibility as well. My journey was rooted in decolonization that began with using the
tarot as a tool for self reflection and care. The cards were a mirror that helped me to see
myself and in turn decide who I wanted to be, what decisions or changes I needed to
make, and what I wanted to create.
ART THERAPY
6/15
About Art Therapy
" Truly the mind that resists colonization
struggles for freedom of expression." - bell hooks
My intention in sharing this information, prompts, and suggestions for
creatively responding to the impact of intersectional oppression is to cultivate
freedom of thought and expression. The prompts in Shed It All are influenced
by my art therapy education. In session we utilize directives or prompts to
initiate exploration, collect information, and somatically address our client's
needs. At the start of the session or group the materials are introduced, a topic
is discussed, and the directive is given prior to the client beginning the art
making process. The deck structure follows this format via the prompts on the
card and creative activity suggestions listed later in the guidebook. To mirror
the close of an art therapy session processing questions for each card are
offered to reflect on the creative process, engage with the artwork through
metaphoric exploration, and to bring closure to the moment.
HOW TO
How to Use Shed It All
With a loved one: pull a card with a friend at a picnic, during a night in, or
while you're apart so that you have something to share and explore when
you reunite.
In a group: do you have a mental health, social, or spiritual role? Create a
decolonial group to explore these themes via Shed It All. Have a group of
like minded individuals in mind who would benefit from this work? Choose
a time to meet to explore these themes in person or online!
With a mental health professional: use in or out of session (as homework)
to explore themes of identity, intersectionality, oppression, self esteem,
incongruence, family history, breaking patterns or habits, restructuring
your life, etc. You may also use the cards to strengthen your relationship
with your mental health professional through sharing, storytelling, and self
expression.
As Self Care: you can use the cards on your own during your down time, in
your self care practice, integrate them into your spiritual routine. Dive into a
prompt and its creative suggestions to focus your mind, relieve stress, or
plan for the future.
7/15
CHOOSE YOUR CARD
8/15
Focused Pull
Separate the deck into its three suites.
Pull from the area of focus that you most
need to work with at that time, ie. only
shuffle the reflection cards
Trust Pull
Shuffle the entire deck together and
allow your hands to decide if you need to
reflect, repair, or re-imagine at that time
Deep Dive
Seperate the deck into its three suites.
Pull one card from each. Allow time to
work through the prompts, to process,
and decompress from your exploration
Once you've decided on a spread, create a space where you feel grounded and
calm. Take a few deep breaths, stretch, light a candle, get cozy on your bed, floor or
couch, whatever you need to do to create a meditative and thoughtful
space for you to connect with yourself.
CREATE
9/15
Responding to the Prompts
Choosing to interact creatively with prompts that help us to develop self
awareness aids us in tapping into the mental health benefits of art making.
When we make art we are:
Work through our emotional response : the themes, prompts, and
reflection questions in the deck will likely elicit a sensory or emotional
response within us. Creative expression is a way to understand our
emotions, more safely explore them through externalization, and find
relief through the art making process.
Making meaning of our experience: in reflecting on the creative
process and the creative outcome that is born from it we can cultivate
self awareness and make meaning of our experiences with the intention
of choosing how we show up in the future.
Transforming our minds and our lives: when we make art we are
tapping into the transformative power of creation. Making space to
empower ourselves through our creative expression helps us to
cultivate self esteem, belief in ourselves, and our ability to make change.
FORMS OF EXPRESSION
10/15
To get us inspired to use our imagination and respond to the prompts creatively
I want to share four forms of artwork and ways that we can use them to express
ourselves
Performing Arts
Expressive activities that are
performed using the body
Media Arts
Art that is created using or with
the aid of technology
Visual Arts
Art that is created using or with
the aid of technology
Literary Arts
Creative expression that utilizes words
to express an idea or tell a story
ACTIVITY IDEAS
11/15
Performing Arts
Movement
Dancing
Singing
Rapping
Acting
Spoken Word
Speech &
Debate
Music
Comedy
Puppetry
Improvisation
Media Arts
Photography
Filmmaking
Digital Art: collage,
drawing, illustration, etc)
Animation
3d Modeling
3d Printing
Design
Audio
Podcasting
Blogging
Vision Board
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
12/15
Visual Arts
Painting
Drawing
Printmaking
Found Object
Mixed Media
Sculpture
Ceramics
Mask Making
Jewelry Making
Quilt making
Weaving
Design
Literary Arts
Fiction
Poetry
Lyrics
Creative Writing
Journaling
Narrative
Folklore
Humor
Mythology
Article
Essay
Short Story
ART AS THERAPY
13/15
My hope is that this deck helps us to create intentional space for tending to our mental health.
Space that helps us to slow down so that we may reflect on and begin to heal from the
systems we live within. The goal of this process is to assist us in making the time to re-imagine
our lives through creative expression.
Before you dive in, I'd like to share a couple of tips for engaging with the creative
practices in this deck:
• Use what you have: found objects (magazines for collage, nature materials, old books),
recycled materials (egg cartons to hold paint, food coloring to paint with, office supplies, old
clothing or fabric), gifted or borrowed materials are all ways to access creative expression
that don't cost a thing.
• Explore technology: if you have a phone, computer, or tablet you have access to free
creative apps such as sketchbook, freeform, bazaart, canva, and more to use for your
response to the card prompts.
• Create in community: this work is impactful to explore on our own or with a therapist.
However it can also be impactful in a group setting. Some of our safest spaces are with our
loved ones so invite one, two, or a few to explore the cards with you.
REFERENCES
14/15
As I dove into research for this project there were three pivotal
texts, written by Black women, who inspired this work
Black Feminist Thought
Patricia Hill Collins
Marginality as a Site of Resistance
bell hooks
Cultural Humility in Art Therapy
Louvenia C. Jackson, PH.D
Rest Is Resistance
Tricia Hersey
REFERENCES
Guidebook References
A Pioneer in Art Therapy. (2022, April 26). Union Institute &
University.https://myunion.edu/a-pioneer-in-art-therapy/
What is intersectionality and why is it important? (2022, February 16).
Global Citizen. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/what-isintersectionality-explained/
Zapata, K. (2020, September 21). Decolonizing Mental Health: The
Importance of An Oppression-Focused Mental Health System.
Calgary Journal. https://calgaryjournal.ca/2020/02/27/decolonizingmental-health-the-importance-of-an-oppression-focused-mentalhealth-system/
15/15
REFLECT
REFLECT
What were you taught about
who you are and where you
come from?
Processing Questions:
How has this story impacted
your view of yourself?
How has this story impacted
your view of others?
What parts of the story do you
hold most dear?
What information is missing
from the story?
REFLECT
REFLECT
What assumptions do
others make about you?
Processing Questions:
How does it feel when others
make judgments about you?
How do those assumptions
impact your self concept?
Share a time when you have
corrected an assumption?
What assumptions do you
make of others?
REPAIR
REPAIR
Without the limitations
of intersectional oppression
who would you be?
Processing Questions:
How would you move through
the world?
How would your body feel?
What would you do?
Where would you go?
REFLECT
REPAIR
What tools do you
need to empower
yourself?
Processing Questions:
What does empowerment look like?
How does empowerment feel?
How do you express yourself when you
are empowered?
What is the quality of your thoughts
when you feel good about yourself?
RE-IMAGE
RE-IMAGINE
What does
liberation mean to you?
Processing Questions:
What does liberation look like?
What does liberation feel like?
How do you claim it for
yourself?
How do you support others
in liberating themselves?
RE-IMAGE
RE-IMAGINE
What is currently making you
mad enough to initiate change?
Processing Questions:
What is the root of your anger
What part can you play in
writing this wrong solving
this problem?
Who or what can support you in
making these changes?
PRACTICES TO CHANGE OUR MINDS
A DECOLONIAL
THERAPY DECK
MAKE TIME
1/15
The system — intersectional
oppression & capitalism — we live
within does not want us to have
time to think, breathe, or rest
Shed It All invites us to make
the time to change our minds
BREATHE
When we make time to breathe
we regulate our central nervous
systems and reclaim autonomy
over our bodies. The cards help
us breathe when we slow down
to shuffle, select, and reflect.
THINK
When we make time to think we
can reflect and become aware of
how we have been treated. The
cards help us to cultivate self
awareness through call and
response.
REST
When we make time to rest we can
dream up new ways of being in right
relationship with ourselves and each
other. The cards help us to rest by
giving us an opportunity to use our
imagination.
ABOUT
2/15
Shed It All is a decolonial therapy deck created for those who are feeling the
impact intersectional oppression is having on their mental health. For those
who are weary and wondering if change is coming these cards were created
with you in mind.
Change may feel impossible...especially considering the systems of power
that are working to keep us complacent, confused, or misused. Shed It All
invites us to direct our energy to create change from within. Change that
ripples out into our communities.
With the understanding that what we can do is the important work of
healing the effect these systems have on our minds. By taking the time
to reflect on, repair, and re-imagine our mental health.
THE CARDS
3/15
Shed It All introduces three ways we can change our minds via the process
of reflecting, repairing, and re-imagining
Reflect
Reflection cards support us in
processing the effect intersectional
oppression has on our mental health.
Repair
Repairing cards initiate integration
of newfound knowledge, found via
reflection, in order to heal the effect
intersectional oppression has had
on our mental health.
Re-imagine
Re-imagining cards inspire us to
envision a world and life beyond the
impact of intersectional oppression.
DEFINITIONS
Decolonizing
Mental Health
Highlighting how trauma from
oppression and colonization plays a
role in mental health. Offering the
proper support we need to cope with
and heal from that trauma (Zapata,
2020).
Art Therapy
"Art therapy is the use of nonverbal
creative processes using paints, pastels,
clay, etc., as communications for aiding in
problem-solving, healing and individual
growth" (Venture, 1976).
4/15
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is how multiple
identities interact to create unique
patterns of oppression. Identities such
as our race, gender, culture,
socioeconomic status, abilities, etc.
Therapy Deck
A therapy card deck may be
“instructional, designed to be used in
therapy, or intended to be played with
family and friends." (Lyford, 2022, pg.
11).
ART AS THERAPY
5/15
As an artist and art therapist I have experienced the transformative and healing power of
self expression. It has allowed me to express myself, heal myself, and to imagine
different possibilities for my life.
Art therapy can take place in traditional individual or group sessions. However, art
therapy can also take place in community, with an emphasis on accessible access to
mental health care in schools, forensic systems, inpatient or outpatient programs,
hospitals, after school care, summer camps, and more.
As I reflected on my journey to mental health I realized that my practice emphasizes
accessibility as well. My journey was rooted in decolonization that began with using the
tarot as a tool for self reflection and care. The cards were a mirror that helped me to see
myself and in turn decide who I wanted to be, what decisions or changes I needed to
make, and what I wanted to create.
ART THERAPY
6/15
About Art Therapy
" Truly the mind that resists colonization
struggles for freedom of expression." - bell hooks
My intention in sharing this information, prompts, and suggestions for
creatively responding to the impact of intersectional oppression is to cultivate
freedom of thought and expression. The prompts in Shed It All are influenced
by my art therapy education. In session we utilize directives or prompts to
initiate exploration, collect information, and somatically address our client's
needs. At the start of the session or group the materials are introduced, a topic
is discussed, and the directive is given prior to the client beginning the art
making process. The deck structure follows this format via the prompts on the
card and creative activity suggestions listed later in the guidebook. To mirror
the close of an art therapy session processing questions for each card are
offered to reflect on the creative process, engage with the artwork through
metaphoric exploration, and to bring closure to the moment.
HOW TO
How to Use Shed It All
With a loved one: pull a card with a friend at a picnic, during a night in, or
while you're apart so that you have something to share and explore when
you reunite.
In a group: do you have a mental health, social, or spiritual role? Create a
decolonial group to explore these themes via Shed It All. Have a group of
like minded individuals in mind who would benefit from this work? Choose
a time to meet to explore these themes in person or online!
With a mental health professional: use in or out of session (as homework)
to explore themes of identity, intersectionality, oppression, self esteem,
incongruence, family history, breaking patterns or habits, restructuring
your life, etc. You may also use the cards to strengthen your relationship
with your mental health professional through sharing, storytelling, and self
expression.
As Self Care: you can use the cards on your own during your down time, in
your self care practice, integrate them into your spiritual routine. Dive into a
prompt and its creative suggestions to focus your mind, relieve stress, or
plan for the future.
7/15
CHOOSE YOUR CARD
8/15
Focused Pull
Separate the deck into its three suites.
Pull from the area of focus that you most
need to work with at that time, ie. only
shuffle the reflection cards
Trust Pull
Shuffle the entire deck together and
allow your hands to decide if you need to
reflect, repair, or re-imagine at that time
Deep Dive
Seperate the deck into its three suites.
Pull one card from each. Allow time to
work through the prompts, to process,
and decompress from your exploration
Once you've decided on a spread, create a space where you feel grounded and
calm. Take a few deep breaths, stretch, light a candle, get cozy on your bed, floor or
couch, whatever you need to do to create a meditative and thoughtful
space for you to connect with yourself.
CREATE
9/15
Responding to the Prompts
Choosing to interact creatively with prompts that help us to develop self
awareness aids us in tapping into the mental health benefits of art making.
When we make art we are:
Work through our emotional response : the themes, prompts, and
reflection questions in the deck will likely elicit a sensory or emotional
response within us. Creative expression is a way to understand our
emotions, more safely explore them through externalization, and find
relief through the art making process.
Making meaning of our experience: in reflecting on the creative
process and the creative outcome that is born from it we can cultivate
self awareness and make meaning of our experiences with the intention
of choosing how we show up in the future.
Transforming our minds and our lives: when we make art we are
tapping into the transformative power of creation. Making space to
empower ourselves through our creative expression helps us to
cultivate self esteem, belief in ourselves, and our ability to make change.
FORMS OF EXPRESSION
10/15
To get us inspired to use our imagination and respond to the prompts creatively
I want to share four forms of artwork and ways that we can use them to express
ourselves
Performing Arts
Expressive activities that are
performed using the body
Media Arts
Art that is created using or with
the aid of technology
Visual Arts
Art that is created using or with
the aid of technology
Literary Arts
Creative expression that utilizes words
to express an idea or tell a story
ACTIVITY IDEAS
11/15
Performing Arts
Movement
Dancing
Singing
Rapping
Acting
Spoken Word
Speech &
Debate
Music
Comedy
Puppetry
Improvisation
Media Arts
Photography
Filmmaking
Digital Art: collage,
drawing, illustration, etc)
Animation
3d Modeling
3d Printing
Design
Audio
Podcasting
Blogging
Vision Board
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
12/15
Visual Arts
Painting
Drawing
Printmaking
Found Object
Mixed Media
Sculpture
Ceramics
Mask Making
Jewelry Making
Quilt making
Weaving
Design
Literary Arts
Fiction
Poetry
Lyrics
Creative Writing
Journaling
Narrative
Folklore
Humor
Mythology
Article
Essay
Short Story
ART AS THERAPY
13/15
My hope is that this deck helps us to create intentional space for tending to our mental health.
Space that helps us to slow down so that we may reflect on and begin to heal from the
systems we live within. The goal of this process is to assist us in making the time to re-imagine
our lives through creative expression.
Before you dive in, I'd like to share a couple of tips for engaging with the creative
practices in this deck:
• Use what you have: found objects (magazines for collage, nature materials, old books),
recycled materials (egg cartons to hold paint, food coloring to paint with, office supplies, old
clothing or fabric), gifted or borrowed materials are all ways to access creative expression
that don't cost a thing.
• Explore technology: if you have a phone, computer, or tablet you have access to free
creative apps such as sketchbook, freeform, bazaart, canva, and more to use for your
response to the card prompts.
• Create in community: this work is impactful to explore on our own or with a therapist.
However it can also be impactful in a group setting. Some of our safest spaces are with our
loved ones so invite one, two, or a few to explore the cards with you.
REFERENCES
14/15
As I dove into research for this project there were three pivotal
texts, written by Black women, who inspired this work
Black Feminist Thought
Patricia Hill Collins
Marginality as a Site of Resistance
bell hooks
Cultural Humility in Art Therapy
Louvenia C. Jackson, PH.D
Rest Is Resistance
Tricia Hersey
REFERENCES
Guidebook References
A Pioneer in Art Therapy. (2022, April 26). Union Institute &
University.https://myunion.edu/a-pioneer-in-art-therapy/
What is intersectionality and why is it important? (2022, February 16).
Global Citizen. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/what-isintersectionality-explained/
Zapata, K. (2020, September 21). Decolonizing Mental Health: The
Importance of An Oppression-Focused Mental Health System.
Calgary Journal. https://calgaryjournal.ca/2020/02/27/decolonizingmental-health-the-importance-of-an-oppression-focused-mentalhealth-system/
15/15
REFLECT
REFLECT
What were you taught about
who you are and where you
come from?
Processing Questions:
How has this story impacted
your view of yourself?
How has this story impacted
your view of others?
What parts of the story do you
hold most dear?
What information is missing
from the story?
REFLECT
REFLECT
What assumptions do
others make about you?
Processing Questions:
How does it feel when others
make judgments about you?
How do those assumptions
impact your self concept?
Share a time when you have
corrected an assumption?
What assumptions do you
make of others?
REPAIR
REPAIR
Without the limitations
of intersectional oppression
who would you be?
Processing Questions:
How would you move through
the world?
How would your body feel?
What would you do?
Where would you go?
REFLECT
REPAIR
What tools do you
need to empower
yourself?
Processing Questions:
What does empowerment look like?
How does empowerment feel?
How do you express yourself when you
are empowered?
What is the quality of your thoughts
when you feel good about yourself?
RE-IMAGE
RE-IMAGINE
What does
liberation mean to you?
Processing Questions:
What does liberation look like?
What does liberation feel like?
How do you claim it for
yourself?
How do you support others
in liberating themselves?
RE-IMAGE
RE-IMAGINE
What is currently making you
mad enough to initiate change?
Processing Questions:
What is the root of your anger
What part can you play in
writing this wrong solving
this problem?
Who or what can support you in
making these changes?
Media of