Flourish Bottle — Steph Guillén

Feb 10

“Flourish Bottle” (2023)

Containers and their contents can be so powerful within the therapeutic realm. They can function as protectors from what is held or for what is held.
In the theme of nature and ceremony, I decided to create a positive psychology style, "flourish bottle," housing little things to attract flourishing energy. The whole experience felt very much on the cognitive and symbolic level of the ETC as I shifted from one side to the other. I had to think through what I wanted to put in the bottle, what I had available, and what each would represent. I also noticed what surfaced emotionally for each item as I included it. In addition, I had to keep the overall theme of flourishing in mind and include the different life areas I wanted to have representation.
My process started with choosing a bottle and the items in it. First, I added a single hair to tie it to me. Then I added turmeric for health, dried Baby's Breath from my wedding bouquet for love, broken glass to ward off harmful spirits, gold flakes for wealth, peppercorn for third eye intuition, sea salt for protection, dried pine from the Ohio land I grew up on for longevity, joy and roots/ancestry, dried Juniper from the Ohio land I grew up on for good luck and roots/ancestry, lavender for peace and calm, and lastly, burnt sea salt in Egyptian style for travel protection and to honor my mysterious trace Egyptian DNA. I corked the bottle, sealed it with wax, and added a golden ribbon for beauty. I enjoyed this creation, and I feel a connection to my bottle.
© 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.