Holman (Apr 04/05) - A specialist in art therapy, Eve Stocker has moved to Holman to fill the year-old vacancy for an addictions and mental health counsellor.

The Vancouver Art Therapy Institute graduate has spent the last seven years working with a diverse range of cultures and clients, from children and families to at-risk youth, to women coming out of drug addiction and prostitution.

New addictions and mental health counsellor Eve Stocker is happy to be living and working in Holman. - photo courtesy of the Oblate Order

News/North: How does art therapy work?

Eve Stocker: Sometimes what's going on inside of us can be more readily expressed through images than words. So I try to help my clients express themselves with our materials. It's not about complexity, it's simple.

I use crayons, paint, clay or even sand trays where clients use figurines to create a scene. It can help to evoke something that becomes the departure point for further exploration.

N/N: Do you practise art therapy in Holman?

Stocker: I'm comfortable working with both verbal and non-verbal counselling. But there is a natural link with art therapy and the very expressive culture of the people here. N/N: What services do you provide?

Stocker: I guess you'd say I'm the town counsellor. There's the specific aspect of addiction, but I'm also here to help in all aspects of mental health and wellbeing.

N/N: What are your goals for the community?

Stocker: As a new service provider in the community, my main goal is to create an atmosphere of trust and support.

I'm also here to help create healthier relationships and increase mental and emotional well being in the community. Building a strong link with the school is another goal.

N/N: How do you plan to accomplish this?

Stocker: I plan to hold an interagency committee meeting to help and identify the gaps in our services. Part of my job is also to help the people realize the strength of their abilities and ideas so solutions are always available.

N/N: Why is it important to have a counsellor in Holman?

Stocker: It's a unique place because it's so isolated. In the old days, people provided for themselves and lived their lives here in isolation. But now, there's exposure to the values of the larger culture.

People work and they're not out on the land so much.

Material goods are available and people think more about connecting with the south, let alone the exposure to media and youth culture. So there's this double reality that creates a specific set of challenges: how do you live your life in such an isolated place but still be aware that you want to be connected to the outside world.

N/N: Can this lead to depression?

Stocker: Yes. These circumstances can create a feeling of being thwarted in one's own process or the community's ability to grow. Depression is also linked to drug and alcohol issues.

N/N: What other mental health issues might naturally be prevalent in the North?

Stocker: First of all, I look at the strengths of people here. I don't just focus on dysfunction. My sense is there's a lot of unresolved grief and that can link to depression, familial distress and can sometimes contribute to domestic violence

N/N: What are the signs someone should come see you?

Stocker: They feel alone or other people don't understand them. They feel angry or frustrated on a regular basis or are consistently sad. If you're feeling out of control with drinking or drugs or there's some cycle of abuse within the family. If you're thinking of suicide, that's really severe and you need help. It varies.

N/N: Why did you get into the business?

Stocker: I went through my own healing processes and I come from a background where I dealt with difficult issues in my life and gradually I felt like I could give back to people what I'd resolved for myself. So it's about me being a communicator and also being aware of the challenge of being human.

N/N: How do you feel about moving to an isolated community?

Stocker: I grew up in a very isolated town in B.C. accessible only by plane or ferry. So I'm accustomed to isolation factors to an extent. And besides, Holman is beautiful.