Painting the journey to recovery

14 Nov 2018

14 November 2018

The Journey to Recovery Project asked patients to create a painting in response to Saint John of God’s life journey and reflect upon their own journey to recovery.

St John of God Pinelodge Clinic Art Therapist Annette Chauncy said the project was tied into St John of God Day celebrations, but its benefits extended further.

“Saint John of God could be described as a restless soul – a description that many of our patients would relate to,” she said.

The painting process required patients to paint the land and the environment before moving on to paint the subject in the works.

“Creating art in this way gave patients an opportunity to reconnect with a time and place that was strengthening, resourcing and replenishing,” Annette said.

Art therapy is a key part of the hospital’s therapy program for both inpatients and outpatients and patients’ goals and recovery outcomes are tracked using an evidence-based qualitative tool.

Similar programs are run at St John of God Health Care’s other dedicated mental health hospitals in Burwood and Richmond, NSW.

Art therapy at St John of God Burwood Hospital

At Burwood, Art Therapist Jo Doyle offers art therapy groups to each inpatient therapy program at the hospital – mothers and babies, people with alcohol drugs and addictive behaviours, anxiety and depression.

“Often patients have no previous experience with art since primary school, so it can be challenging for them initially,” Jo said.

“However the nature of the groups is such that they are gently supported through the art therapy process only to discover the healing nature of art, and sometimes even some hidden artistic talents. All this happens within a group process which allows them to see they are not alone in their art therapy experiences as well as their experiences of their illness.”

Art therapy at St John of God Richmond Hospital

At Richmond, Associate Nurse Unit Manager Kate Butler-Nixon sees art therapy as a way to inspire confidence in the patient’s own abilities and to invoke mindfulness, social integration and creative awareness.

“The art studio approach encourages clients to relax through the participation of art by painting, drawing, using charcoal, painting plasters and other art.

“The therapeutic process of healing within the art studio assists the transition back into the community setting. Encouragement is also given to continue the clients’ art journey upon discharge from the hospital.”

St John of God Health Care – arts and health

In the last year, St John of God Health Care has expanded links with Western Sydney University (NSW) and La Trobe University (VIC) that offer a Masters in Art Therapy degree, with students completing placements at Berwick and Frankston this year.

Murdoch University in WA is also about to establish an arts therapy program which will provide more access to this care at St John of God Health Care’s WA hospitals.

Group Coordinator Arts and Health Deborah Pearson said the prominence these programs were given in our hospitals was just another demonstration of St John of God Health Care’s commitment to arts and health.

“Art therapy is one way the arts can enhance the holistic health, healing and wellbeing for each individual in our care as well as in the broader community,” she said.