Hey y’all! I’m Rissa—a cancer survivor, survivorship coach and certified Therapeutic Art Coach.
After treatment, many survivors enter an in-between space I call “the void”. Where survival mode ends, but you feel disconnected to who you were before cancer.
This space is about giving the void a voice through therapeutic collage, self-discovery and honest conversations. Together, we process what you’ve survived, release what no longer belongs and intentionally create who you’re becoming.
Because you weren’t given a second chance at life just to “get by.” It’s time to reconnect with Self, reclaim your power and RIZE beyond survival.
And then there’s Blaze, my ESA bearded dragon and Chief Vibe Officer. He brings affirmations, intentional-living wisdom, bombastic side-eye and enough spice to keep us grounded and laughing.
Ready to give the void a voice and create what comes next?
Book your Rize Call: paperbell.me/marissa-rusnow
Instagram: @MzRizingAlchemy
Mz Rizing Alchemy
9 months ago | [YT] | 0
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Mz Rizing Alchemy
I had a life changing experience this past weekend…….I attended an art therapy retreat for cancer survivors.
First I have to give a huge shout out and thank you to Farahana, Rachel, Alyssa, and Andrea for coming together to put on this event. I also want to thank all of the other warriors that attended, I enjoyed our time together. It was so inspiring to connect and share with other survivors. For many survivors there is a loss for words. Art therapy allows you to express, reclaim, reflect, release, and honor your journey.
At the retreat we got together for 2 days 3 hours per day. We were given a canvas that we cut into and stitched back together. There was a plethora of materials available for us to use for our art pieces. For me this art project was very symbolic of what I went through. Being cut open (literally) then having to put myself back together.
My favorite part of the retreat was our last day when we were able to share our art pieces and tell our stories. Everyone has a beautiful and impactful piece that was uniquely theirs. It was so mind blowing to see everyone’s different interpretation of their story. I took some video of some of the art pieces. Please check it out…...they are all incredible.
Here is my art piece. The X is representing my tumor. I used my favorite colors, silver, teal, and purple. The bright melon yarn represents my furbaby and love of my life Halo. She found my illness before anyone else did, and stood by me with a love so deep it still surrounds me, even as she watches from above. Though she's in heaven, our bond is unbreakable. I did the 3 slashes to represent my 3 surgical scars from my first surgery that officially made me cancer free. They also represent my Mom, Grammers, and Papa in heaven watching over me. It was their consistent love, encouragement, and protection that helped stitch me back together.
The experience I had at the Art retreat is exactly why I incorporate collage art therapy into my coaching.
What art therapy offers is powerful: a way to process without words, to turn the unseen into something seen, and to rebuild identity in a way that’s authentic and empowering.
I’m a survivorship coach. I empower cancer survivors to break free from living in survival mode and boldly stepping into a life of authenticity, purpose, and power. I guide survivors to own their story, reignite their soul and thrive with courage, clarity and unstoppable resilience. I incorporate collage art therapy into my coaching as a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.
#breastcancersurvivor #cancersurvivorship #surviviorshipcoach #arttherapy #healingjourney #artretreatforsurvivors #
1 year ago | [YT] | 1
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Mz Rizing Alchemy
Check out my podcast on powerhour with Deb. We dive into survivorship and coaching.
1 year ago | [YT] | 1
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