Heartshops

Individual or group sessions that intersect creativity, psychology and Catholic faith. These sessions explore the topics below using metaphors, expressive arts, and creative approaches to wellness. Elements used can include everyday objects, creative movement, play, visual arts, music and connection to nature. No art experience is necessary. Sessions start at 1 hour and grow as many as necessary. I am bilingual and bicultural: servicios en español disponibles aqui.

Heartshops offered in NY, San Pablo CA, and remote: The Blessed Sacrament created by 60 teens, clothing exchanged and altered, cartooning to learn non verbal language, Mary co-founder of Heartshops, women mirroring Mary and families learning the art of walking.

Topics

  • The art of Discipleship: using found objects, movement and metaphor, participants act out the roles of visionary, messenger and builder for reflection and learning about their personal lives, and their roles in their communities.

  1. The Body of Christ: Puzzle building- I am one part of the whole. Visual art process involving personal reflection with prompts and interactive connections to create one image made of as many numbers of parts as there are participants. 

  

  1. The art of Walking–relationship with Christ: Interactive set of installations that help participants walk with Christ through the different spaces of grief. Includes psychoeducation on somatic experiencing of grief, scripture, and sensory explorations that include found objects, nature elements and journaling.

  1. Tree of life and the ecosystem: --identity & belonging: helps participants acknowledge multiple facets of their identity and connect to their community for inner resources and offerings. 

  1. Bibliodrama: Use of theatrical elements to engage participants in the embodied prayer with scripture. No drama skills required. 

  1. Spiritual & Emotional Hygiene: Self care and faith. Using theatrical elements, metaphors, psychology, theology and creativity, participants will get an experiential understanding and tools to maintain a clean and ordered inner world. Includes preventive measures towards burnout and compassion fatigue as well as elements for trauma healing.    

  1. Self Aware Nest–nest building: Using the metaphor of a nest, participants will learn psychoeducation on trauma informed, faith based tools for self regulation and self awareness. The more we know ourselves, the better we can relate to others.

  1. Common Unity—consultation: systemic approach to community engagement through beautification projects that involve mural making and gardening. 

  1. Hand me Downs–transformation-renewal using clothing, writing reflection and various clothing accessories to alter a hand me down as a metaphor for transformation and renewal.

Customized heartshops available too! Let's collaborate.

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Trainings & Topics for Consultation for Wellness & Service Providers: 

  1. How to collaborate with translators: using expressive arts and an experiential approach, this training will offer understanding and tools for service providers. 

 

  1. Use of expressive arts in mental health: Experiential training on how to use non verbal expression and alternative forms of communication using found objects, and various modalities. 

 

  1. Needs and Approaches with Latin communities: Offered to clinicians in private practice and groups wanting to learn creative approaches to Latin culture and therapeutic needs.  

  1. Community wellness and support for classrooms and schools: One on one consultation or group offering to systemic approaches to school wellness using creativity and social/emotional tools.

  1. The Cultural Buffet —experiential training on cultural awareness using various art supplies, discussions and music.  

Fee: Free for the Diocese of Oakland, voluntary generous giving, sliding scale, or fixed rate, by arrangement. Please inquire. Book a free 30min consultation over Zoom HERE, or by reaching out to me at kionamedina@gmail.com.

"Where do we begin? We begin with the heart" -Julian of Norwhich. Artwork made by heartshop participant, 2018. 

Testimonials

Kelly Takunda Orphan, Musician, KTO Project:

Kiona is a positive person, a deep thinker and a compassionate listener! Being in her presence is powerful. She brings a multi-cultural lens and a big heart - I highly recommend her work.

Chris, Elementary School Principal:

Kiona brought a sense of calmness, reflection, and the encouragement of self-care for all key stakeholders in our community.

Religious Sister:

Working with Kiona, helped me to identify and know the stumbling blocks that held me from seeing the artistic aspect within.

Public Health Director:

Kiona's passion for life and her offerings of self and wisdom have always impacted me so deeply. In one on one consultations with her I have been able to reconcile that tender bridge between psychological and spiritual wellness, remaining connected to faith in times of turmoil, and connected to wellbeing with a sense of empowerment and agency restored when needed. She is a gifted listener, prayer full woman, and guide.