Friday, May 09th, 2008 -- 18:18:02 CDT
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Breaking Ground Issue 22 Article Friday, May 09th, 2008 -- 18:18:02 CDT |
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The original article is located on page 18 in this PDF document:
http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/kennedy/breakingground/archive/Issue 22 Final.pdf
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When Amy enters the art therapy room at The STAR Center with her white cane in hand, amber-colored glasses, and shy, unassuming smile, she is ready to "get to work." The lights are low in the room in order to diminish the glare, the window blinds pulled closed. Amy experiences difficulty with bright light due to her diagnosis of retinitis pigmintosa, and amber-colored glasses help decrease the glare that Amy experiences due to the progressive loss of vision. Amy chooses her media for the day and states an affirmation such as, "I am a good artist."
As one might imagine, having a disease that affects one's sight would possibly affect one's self-esteem. Amy is quiet; she works each session to reveal a little bit more about herself and also to laugh and smile more often. Amy shares stories about her family and her beloved dogs, Rocky, Ginger, and Lady. Recently, she has completed a sculpture of one of her dogs, a beaded necklace and bracelet, and several elaborately decorated boxes. When asked what she wanted to do next, Amy responded that she would like to paint on a large canvas, to work on it in an abstract fashion. This is a significant step for Amy, requiring her to express herself on a more substantial scale. She is about to embark on her large painting; her art therapist says she feels very lucky to be able to facilitate the process. At The STAR Center, art therapy utilizes art making, creativity, and various art media to assist individuals in reaching their fullest potential.
Amy also attends music therapy sessions at The STAR Center. Amy awaits the music therapist in the lobby of The STAR Center, clutching her music book. While walking with assistance to the music therapy room, Amy eagerly shares with her therapist musical problems and successes during the previous week and makes positive statements about her playing. Since Amy has learned to identify keys on a piano by feel and finger foundations, she practices every day at home and Amy's confidence in her ability to play the piano has increased slowly but surely. Amy now sings along while playing her own accompaniment!
Because music touches Amy in so many different ways, participation in music therapy offers her opportunities for creativity and expression that may be significantly different from more traditional approaches. The difference between music therapy and traditional music lessons is that in music therapy Amy is provided support and encouragement as well as special modifications and adaptations she needs in order to acquire new skills and abilities. Amy has learned to identify keys on a keyboard with a firm foundation of skills, and has learned to read a style of music that was specifically created by STAR Center music therapists to help her overcome her challenges. Amy's success in music therapy has been profound- she has reached her goals and graduated to organ lessons in the community, where she continues to succeed.
Through both art therapy and music therapy at The STAR Center, Amy works on her goals of increasing fine motor skills, enhancing her self-esteem, and practicing communication skills.
-Laura Logue, MT-BC is a music therapist and is board certified. Jennifer Albright, MA, has a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. Janie Giles, MS, ATR has a Master of Science in Art Therapy, is a Registered Art Therapist, and is the coordinator of Art Therapy at The STAR Center.
For more information about The STAR Center or art and music therapy, please visit The STAR Center website, www.starcenter.tn.org or call (731) 668-3888.