Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Water Color Painting Therapy With Jo Ann Danchik

By Dorothy Hughes


Alzheimer and dementia are two rather sensitive subjects to discuss on any level especially considering the kind separation and emotional distress that they can cause on families, loved ones, and even the suffering patient. Although the is no cure for either of these conditions and doctors simply try to minimize their effects by prescribing specific medications, some that work and some that don t. However, Jo Ann Danchik says that in the midst of all this hopelessness something that seems to be shining small beams of sun rays of hope is the use of center painting therapy as a form of bringing patients with Alzheimer moments of joy and peace.

This, of course, has meant an increase in the search of finding new ways of self-expression, with most seeking out artistic ways of expression. This is sometimes done through art in various forms. One such art form is the use of poetry and written word. Where the artist simply puts their feelings, thoughts, emotions, and ideas into words. This can be done by either telling a story or through the use of inference.

What then tends to happen is that the patient starts to have outbursts as they grow more and more frustrated with themselves. This is when regular one on one conversation therapy stops yielding desired outcomes and therapists are forced to find various ways of opening communication channels with the patient. A great tool that has become quite popular is the use of art as a source of therapy, specifically painting.

This is quite often found in children who have seen a traumatic action or have been through a traumatic action. In fact, in kids it can go a step further, with some kids completely shutting down after such trauma. In some cases, children may stop talking all together.

This is where painting as a therapy form really shines through. It allows the individual a pressure less environment to heal from the trauma they have endured while giving them the tools to also process what has happened to them. Most therapists fear that individuals who have had traumatic events happen to them struggle to process the occurrence.

In a number of cases, displacement of emotions tends to occur. Where the individual will place blame on themselves. Using painting allows individuals to correctly asses the event without dissecting it. Although some argue that art doesn t fully get to the bottom of the issue, many therapists disagree.

Associating colors with specific feelings, memories and thoughts are only the first steps. The second step of this form of art therapy is having the patient paint an image. This could be an image from their own past or a completely unrelated image. Painting these images helps the patient assign colors to specific parts of the image which can be quite revealing of a patient s state of mind.

Our emotions are bound to come out, no matter how hard we try to bottle them up and store them away. Using art is truly an inspiring way to let those feelings and emotions out in a way that can help others too.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment