We tend to think of art as an expression, created to be displayed and admired for its beauty and thought provoking influence. But we often forget about the therapeutic value that it provides to both the creator and the observer.
According to the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health and a recent study out of Drexel University in Philadelphia, participating in cultural creative activities, or even just admiring the art, was found to produce good health, satisfaction with life, decreased anxiety and low rates of depression.
“Art therapy has the ability to be utilized in a variety of ways, with diverse types of people and in an assortment of settings,” said Nichole Hall-Permell, art therapist and program coordinator at Midtown Community Mental Health Center, a division of Wishard Health Services. “The art created by the individual or group functions as an external representation of the person’s internal world. It provides the person the opportunity to gain insight and awareness into their life stressors and situations to find better ways of coping.”
Hall-Permell coordinates the Glad Writings Card Shop at Midtown Community Mental Health Center, a program that provides its clients with a collaborative creative outlet through the production of hand-made greeting cards. Clients design, construct, package and market the cards, which can be bought by the public. The artists of the cards are able to express their emotions through the group process. They also have the opportunity to build cognitive, job preparatory and decision-making skills leading to more independent lives.
The art therapy that Hall-Permell describes is an alternative expressive therapy in which a creative outlet is provided to open lines of communication, allowing emotions to be expressed safely. But there are other therapies that also help inspire and lift the spirits of people whether it is in the hospital or at the park.
Take Bonnie, a 5-year-old yellow Labrador retriever and one of Wishard’s therapy dogs. Bonnie and the other therapy dogs at Wishard are specially trained and certified to assist patients in recovery, but they also tend to put a smile on everyone’s face as they pass by.
“They just make things more relaxed and calmer for everyone they come across,” said Penny Handshaw, director of Rehabilitation Services at Wishard and Bonnie’s handler while at Wishard. “I have been a physical therapist for over 30 years and it is truly amazing to see the difference these dogs can have on a patient in a matter of seconds.”
While Handshaw admits the therapy the dogs provide is very different than the traditional physical and rehabilitation therapy most of us think of, she believes it has an important place in recovery. She said the dogs also assist with more traditional physical therapy activities such as participating in group therapy sessions, playing catch to help improve the range of motion for patients and allowing physical therapy patients to groom them to increase patients’ fine motor skills.
For more information or to find a primary care physician, call Wishard Health Connection at (317) 655-2255.
