Publications & Recommendations
Patients Write
“Art therapy allows me to step out of the usual expression of words and takes me to an unfamiliar area and an intuitive language where I can express myself in a new, unfamiliar, and wonderful spectrum.”
“Michal, I wanted to thank you for our session, I still have the drawings I made in my head. The ability of color and form to express what I'm going through simply enchanted me. I feel the session helped me better understand the place where I want to be now, and the place where I want to be going forward.”“Dear Michal, we want to thank you for the dedication, kindness, and peace of mind in your sessions with our daughter. Thank you for giving her the air, space, and tools to create with both hands… and to open a door… Thank you for returning to her and to us the laughter, childhood, innocence, and joy. A big thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”“Dear Michal, we don't have enough words to express our appreciation for your professionalism in the amazing work you do with our son!!! We received our son as a gift anew!!!”“Dear Michal, honestly the parting is hard for us, but we actually feel it's only a formal parting, not a parting from what you've instilled in us through the process. We had the privilege of knowing you, an extraordinary personality, a therapist of the highest level, boundless humanity, and always saying the right word at the right time. You gave her the tools and strength to cope with difficulties, with a smile and happiness that always graced her face. I have no doubt that without that warm, caressing hand and the lantern you used to light her path, her success would have been different, and I credit that to you.”“Thank you so much, Michal. You helped me and I healed, deeply and without shortcuts. May blessings be upon you.”“Dear Michal. Thank you so much for everything. Your help was enormous and important in the process I went through, and I'm glad you were there at the right time.”“My name is Ronit. I'd like to express my gratitude to you, Michal. I only had one session with you, but you helped me a lot. I came because I was deliberating what to study, whether art therapy or another profession, and I understood my path. In addition, I discovered things I didn't know about my inner feelings that I had suppressed. To anyone deliberating whether to go to therapy with Michal — don't hesitate.”“I came to try and was surprised to find how good drawing made me feel. I found a new and different area within myself. The workshop was an experience that gave me strength, allowed me to bring ideas that were inside me to life, and helped me break through blockages. I enjoyed it immensely. After your workshop, I wrote a light and free summary compared to the seriousness that usually characterizes my documents. You can't imagine how meaningful that is to me. I've already experienced a change as a result.”Depth Meeting Testimonials
“Michal, I wanted to thank you for our session. I still have the drawings I made in my mind. The ability of color and form to express what I am going through simply amazed me. I feel that the session helped me better understand where I want to be now and where I want to be going forward.”
Orly G., client, age 40
“A meaningful and surprising meeting that enables a deep, precise connection inward and the discovery of significant insights – all in a professional and supportive atmosphere. Highly recommended.”
Dana Kaplan, art therapist
Lecture, Workshop and Cards Testimonials
“Thank you for a professional and fascinating lecture. The cards you developed are a powerful tool that uses the most basic forms known to people. Our brief introduction to them left me curious to explore and experience more.”
Hava Levy, aromatherapy practitioner and mandala researcher
“I used the personal and group workshops, together with the "Focus into the Soul" cards, to examine personal and professional issues that concerned me. Combining observation of the simple forms with Michal's sensitive guidance allowed me to explore with creativity, enjoyment, and curiosity – and quickly arrive at new and refreshing insights.”
Galila Tavtznikov Oren, drama therapist, senior lecturer and supervisor
Book Reviews
“It was fascinating to discover how scribbles develop into drawings, how each part of drawings by children and adults carries meaning, and how people express their inner worlds through drawing. I especially appreciated the clear, step-by-step explanation at the end of the book, which provides a helpful summary of the process. A special, colorful book filled with knowledge that was new to me.” - Drama Therapist
“Michal Bogin Feinberg's book invites the reader on a fascinating journey along the stages of drawing development in young children, with explanations of each stage in accessible language understandable to any reader, alongside deep observation of the psyche and the world of therapy as reflected in each of these stages. Reading the book is recommended for all therapy and education professionals exposed to drawing and creation in their work, as well as for parents of children seeking to understand their children's inner world and turn the act of drawing into a delightful, developmental, and meaningful experience.” - Tali Frankel-Hochman, Expert Clinical Psychologist, therapist for children, adolescents, and adults. Draws with her children and learns from them about everything
“Do Not Disturb, I'm Drawing opened another window for me to the magic that happens in the encounters between material and creator. Michal gathered in the book a diverse and heart-and-eye-delighting collection of drawings from around the world, through which she reveals the natural developmental potential inherent in the creative process from the toddler's uncontrolled scribble to the artist's brushstroke. I found useful information for me as a therapist; the case stories are moving and allow a glimpse into the safe therapeutic space she created for her clients and to trace the different stages in the art therapy process. The flowing and clear writing makes the professional material accessible even for readers outside the therapeutic field, and parents who adopt the tips in the book will be able to provide their children with a development-encouraging creative environment and many shared moments of enjoyment.
Highly recommended for parents and therapists, for deepening knowledge, practical tips, reading pleasure, and delightful browsing through children's drawings from around the world.” - Ronit Gabai, Art Therapist (MA)
“I can say that reading the book forever changed the way I look at my son's drawings. Suddenly every circle and dot has meaning to me, and I know yet am curious to see how the drawing will develop in a few months and years. I stopped asking "what did you draw" every time we sit down to draw together, and I mostly enjoy watching the creation with wonder and understanding that my child's soul is blooming and growing. These scribbles are full of emotion and meaning, and that moves me.” - Anna Ben Shabbat, mother of a 3-year-old
“Hi Michal
I'm so impressed by the book
I wanted to thank you and express so much appreciation
for the investment
the amazing idea
the creativity
the light and accessible style
I never thought there was a connection between the early scribble
and the mature scribble in therapy
A truly amazing idea
Well done
Keep surprising and innovating” - Hagit, Art Therapist
“The best guide on children's drawings. Bogin Feinberg did a wonderful job by the development of children drawings. The book is packed with interesting examples of drawings, clear explanations and updated theoretical knowledge.” - Amazon Reviewer (h.c)
“OK. So I read it last night. Charming, accessible, sensitive. On one hand, written simply and clearly. On the other hand, it brings depth, teaches, and explains. The book conveys the message, and does so with felt gentleness and love. I think I can now name the stages and their meanings, and also notice them in drawings I see in the future. I swear.” - Einat, Music Therapist
“Dear Michal, thank you for a charming and useful book.
As an art therapist, the book is an important tool for understanding children's development and growth. It differs from other books because it helps understand the child's emotional development, not just diagnosing difficulties and problems expressed in drawings.
Additionally, I'm a grandmother to 3 lovely grandchildren. Your book accompanies me as I observe their drawings and identify each time something new growing — here's a circle, here's a dot inside the circle, crossing lines, and more — and my heart fills with joy when I see the growth and development.
You wrote your book with love and empathy for growing children. The observation of the process comes from a place of wonder and respect for the growing child expressing their inner world through drawing.
Highly recommended for professionals and also for parents, grandparents who can joyfully and pleasurably follow their children's emotional development.” - Orly Burg, Art Therapist
“Dear Michal, the book is very beautiful and impressive, both the text and the drawings that illustrate things so beautifully and authentically. For you, it's a language you understand freely, but for us — regardless of education and experience — it's vague and seems almost random, just 'development' and what that means. As a young mother, I used to save my children's drawings and hang them proudly, but I never thought about the circle, the line, the mixing and separation in those drawings, as you describe and explain in the book. From now on, I'll look at my little grandson's drawings with new eyes. Thank you so much for opening my eyes.” - Prof. Amia Lieblich
“Great Read For Any Parent. This is a great book that really opens your eyes to appreciating your child's art. It has you take a deeper look into their artist creations and gives great tips on bringing our your child's artistic side. I never knew that drawing had such a vital link into self expression and discovery. Highly recommend.” - Amazon Reviewer (AATaleghani)
“Dear Michal, I really enjoyed reading the book. It was interesting, fascinating, and impossible to ignore the many insights I formed for myself from reading it. Already waiting for the next book!” - Kalanit, mother of 3
“The book is delightful! Educational, joyful, gives proportions, and opens thinking. Recommended for anyone who loves watching children grow, draw, and play.” - Galila Oren, Drama Therapist – Tel Hai College
“The colorful and fascinating book written by Michal Bogin, "Do Not Disturb, I'm Drawing," contains important knowledge for parents, educators, art therapy professionals, psychologists, and in general — for anyone curious.
The book is very readable, professional, and creative.
When I opened the book, a magical world of shapes and colors was revealed to me. Later, when I read in depth, I understood how all the shapes and colors communicate and tell about the development of the child's inner world.
As a lecturer at Lesley College, I warmly recommended my art therapy students to read it.
I fell in love with the book and highly recommend it.” - Shabi Medzini, Senior Lecturer at the Academic College for Society and Arts
“Michal Bogin's book is a masterpiece of intelligent and imaginative writing that invites readers on a fascinating journey of observation, listening, and excitement during the encounter between adult and child in the process of drawing and creation. The author masterfully describes what happens in the toddler's growth process, from the most primary lines, the innocent scribbles, to the formation of the circle with a tiny dot at its heart and the creation of the cross where two lines intersect and open to infinite possibilities.” - Dr. Hanna Soker-Schwager, Senior Lecturer in Literature, Ben-Gurion University
“The book opens eyes and hearts. Highly recommended.
For parents, holiday gifts, parents of toddlers, and therapists.” - Racheli, Social Worker
“You have no idea how much the book you wrote serves me as a mother and as a therapist.” - Tamar, Movement Therapist
“Dear Michal, I really enjoy your book. "Sometimes one therapy session creates changes across several generations, both horizontally and vertically" (p. 144) — sometimes books do too.
Huge thanks.” - Yael Peleg Tsalim
“A fascinating and educational book, written in an understandable way. Another look, in practice, into the child's world.
It helped me greatly, both as an education student and in working with children.
It's a language that gives more depth.
Thank you for the book.” - Eden