Chennai: News Today met Eric Miller, director of World Storytelling Institute, and his wife Magdalene Jeyarathnam, director of East West Centre for Counselling at their Chennai residence at Nungambakkam and had a chat with them regarding their work.

“We have a common interest of using art and culture to help people overcome their emotions and stress,” said Magdalene who added that her experience of working at the story-telling field for more than a decade helped her achieve her ambition.

“Expressive arts can help a person express his/her troubles and let know to others how they want to change their life. It can be any form of art, say dance, music drama, poetry, painting etc.”

Eric said that he is much inspired by Tamil epics like Silapathigaram and believes in cultural anthropology and stories. “The human mind works in various ways, not just through abstract,” he said and added that the Expressive Arts Therapy which they practise, encourages people to connect their intellects with their emotions and sensory experiences.

“It has helped people to live in a more organised way involving developing and integrating various aspects of themselves.”

They also offer group therapies like anger management and also provide diploma courses for those who wish to work with psycho therapy and art. “We try our best to keep the therapy sessions as interesting as possible,” added Eric.

“When asked how challenging it is to keep going and help with bringing out the best in people,” the couple concluded, “We thank and praise each other whenever possible. We take a complete break from everything, by travelling.
Since we are constantly in therapy all the time, we also learn a lot from different people. Everyone needs to network more and make their own communities. Living together in harmony is the best way to live.”

Eric can be reached on 9840394282 and his email address is storytelling7@gmail.com