Dragon in psychosomatics… or let your dragon defeat the disease

The theme of dragons in fairy tales is not new, but it does NOT lose relevance over the centuries. And so smoothly and harmoniously this topic entered the process of psychological assistance to children. And so, the theme of dragons in the psychotherapy of children can be used when working with children of the asthenic type, often or for a long time ill children, in order to activate resources for self-healing.

 

The dragon symbol in China is one of the symbols of the beginning of yang, embodying light and activity. In general, he acts as the personification of strength and greatness. The hieroglyph denoting the dragon also conveys the concepts of energy, strength, mind. The word dragon comes from the ancient Greek derkien “seers”. Images of dragons have long been used in the east as amulets. Unlike Europe, where the dragon was a representative of an evil force, the dragons of the east are favorable to humans. They can positively and creatively influence his destiny. Dragons are capable of bringing good luck, dispersing demons, and even rewarding with immortality. He has cosmic energy and knocks down all the elements of nature.

Given such a powerful symbolism, I want to suggest topics for art therapy classes in the process of psychocorrection and psychotherapy of children who are somatically weakened or in painful states:

1. Dragon – strength
2. Dragon – courage to defeat the disease
3. Dragon – protector from disease
4. The dragon that carries disease away on its wings
5. Dragon – giving health
6. A gift from the health dragon
7. A dragon that dispels disease with its wings
8. Dragon that burns disease
9. Dragon of Tranquility
10. The dragon that catches its tail
11. Dragon giving knowledge for recovery
12. Bag for the dragon, in which he will carry away the disease
13. A magical talisman of health brought from distant lands by a dragon
14. Powers of the dragon
15. The dragon brings strength from heaven and earth, fire and water
16. Talisman of health with the image of a dragon
17. Red dragon of health
18. The path of the dragon to victory over the disease
19. Defeat the evil dragon – diseases
20. Weapons for defeating the dragon – diseases
21. Multi-colored lucky dragon
22. A dream that a dragon will have about you
23. Disease hunter dragon
24. Feast with the dragon after recovery
25. World of dragon helpers

The presented topics do NOT exhaust all the possibilities of working with the topic and open up several psychological mechanisms that affect the healing process. All other topics can be obtained by carefully listening to the child himself.

To implement the theme, any means of creative self-expression is suitable. You can start with simple drawings, gradually complicate their applications and complete the creation of a book in dragons or toy dragons from paperclay. Everything that the child wants and everything that is convenient for the child can be used for work.

An important part of the therapeutic process is to listen to the child, to respond sensitively to the story dictated by his unconscious. Very often, the stories that the child presents under the influence of the image itself reveal the mechanisms for curing the disease.

For more consistent work, I recommend taking into account certain stages of actions in the process of art therapy classes:

Stage 1 – setting up for work
At the first stage, it is important to create moods, such an atmosphere of a draconiade. Tell your child a motivating story or fairy tale where the image of a dragon will appear. Ask the child whether he likes or dislikes this fairy-tale character. Find out what dragons he knows. Offer to watch a book or movie about dragons. Ask if the child wants to create their own dragon so that it is easy to recover.
In cases of a positive answer, we proceed to the second stage, but if the child wants to create a second fairy-tale character, then the psychologist always follows the child’s wishes.

Stage 2 – What a dragon
Start fantasizing with your child about what the dragon will be like. Ask your child questions that maximize the essence of the image. For example, these:
Where will your dragon live?
What color will it be?
What size will it be big or small?
How will he be different from all other dragons?
Questions Formulating, following and relying on the child’s fantasies and experiences.

Stage 3 – Create a dragon
To create an art product, try to diversify the art materials for creating a dragon as much as possible. Ask your child what or how he wants to make or draw a dragon. Help your child achieve maximum pleasure in the process of creativity. There is one very important rule here, complete freedom for creativity.

Stage 4 – Dragon Magic
The work was completed and the time put on the dragon with magical properties. We ask the child how the dragon will defeat the disease. What magical powers does he have and how will he do it. That’s actually all, the child will voice the recipe for overcoming the disease, if not from the first lesson, but will tell you exactly what needs to be done. After all, even dragons need to gain strength to win!

© Nazarevich Victoria