Finding Home — Steph Guillén

Jan 15

“Finding Home” (2023)

**Art Intervention:** Using art as a tool to describe current feelings.
During the exercise, I noticed an attunement to my current mental state, feelings, and physical reactions. Additionally, I sensed an emotional state of immersion in the fluidity of the watercolor. That helped me enter a state of flow and deepen my connection and awareness of my emotions. I also noticed some anxiety and sadness in my chest somatically as I worked through the painting. This exercise dealt with my positive feelings about finding a home, putting down roots, and feelings of gratefulness for the love and gifts passed down from my departed Aunt. After finishing the artwork, I noticed heightened connections between my feelings of thankfulness toward my departed Aunt and sadness for her death. The entire exercise left me with more awareness and healing.
Related to psychodynamic theoretical models, I noticed a significant quantity of symbolic elements in my finished piece: roots, the hearts/love in the solid foundation, the moon and stars, the third eye, and my deceased Aunt represented as a bird.
© Steph Guillén

I’m an art therapy and counseling master’s degree program student, as well as an artist, writer, and program director with a strong background in communications, photography, art, and job search/employment strategies. I have a passion for uplifting marginalized communities through means that champion knowledge, growth, and empowerment. My professional history largely resides in working with unemployed mid-to-high level executives, refugees, immigrants, and newcomers from the Middle East. I’ve advocated for and empowered these communities through the mediums of online graphic communications, writing, education, workshops, program development, and art.

I combine skills in art, graphics, photography, writing, project management, content creation, social media, advocacy/awareness initiatives, program development, and research to make a positive impact.

Certificates in: Positive Psychology, The Science of Well-Being, Creative Writing, Therapeutic Art Life Coaching, Career Brand Management, and Social Media Marketing. Education in Graphic Communications Technology, Photography, Middle Eastern Studies, and International Relations. Pursuing a competitive M.A. program in Art Therapy & Counseling.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies while working full-time.

• Nominated for membership in Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, Sigma lota Rho Honor Society, and The Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement.

• Recipient of the Global Goodwill Ambassador’s Humanitarian Award in recognition of years of impactful volunteer work, primarily in the refugee and international arena.

• Inducted into the Golden Key International Society with a 4.0 GPA in Middle Eastern Studies.

• Invited and accepted into the following committees and board: YMCA International’s Refugee College Scholarship Committee five years in a row, YMCA International’s Triumph of the Human Spirit Art Selection Committee two years in a row, United Nations Association of Houston Board Member & Global Classroom Liaison, World Refugee Day-Houston’s Panel Committee and Fundraising Committee.