Introduction
My greatest concern in sharing the process of DelGiacco's Art Therapy is that it will be mistaken for a "cure all" therapy, which it is not. Some clients may not respond at all to this, or any other therapy. One reason for this is the emotional status of a client, which is so crucial to any therapy's success and, as such, must be a primary consideration at all times. Response also depends on the type of injury. Below is an outline of specific injuries and clients' varied responses, after which I discuss brain injury in general.
I focus on the disruption of sensory flow in these Courses. There is no intent to ignore the damage that is incurred with infarct, transient ischemia attacks, stroke, insult, or toxic brain damage or trauma. Because this is such a complex topic, I felt that it would be wise to focus on the cognitive aspect in relationship to sensory dysfunction. Of course, for safety, all clients' records should be reviewed before beginning any therapeutic program.
Stroke: Even clients who have experienced a major stroke can benefit from this therapy. These clients tend to tire quickly, and noticeable improvement can take a long time. Judgment as to the extent of therapy is necessary, as every client is different. One cannot undo damage from a stroke, but "rebuilding" is possible. A full recovery in clients with severe damage is not likely. However, it is a wonderful gift to give "vision" back, for example, to a woman who could not read for six years because of damage caused by a stroke. She may only be able to read for half an hour at a time, but this sight improvement can be translated into the bigger picture of better functioning in the world.
Brain Tumors: In another example, a client with a brain tumor will often have the same sensitivity to this therapy's stimuli as a person who has experienced a diffuse brain injury. It has been my experience that clients who have had a brain tumor respond nicely to this therapy with less residual effects. However, be on the watch for glassy eyes. It's a sign of sensory overload. When working with all clients, stop when you see this sign.
Brain Injury: Clients diagnosed with brain injury, both major and minor, have benefited from this process. As you begin to work with clients, you will find what process, or part of a process works for that client. Every client will respond or recover differently.
No one can say what a client will be capable of. That is part of the joy and struggle that you will experience together. What I want you to learn is simple--learn how people with neurological damage feel inside; learn to assess them and do thorough progress and final reports so they can serve as a "voice" when the client leaves your care. This will , in turn, help others, who are attempting to further assist them. Neurological injury is a shameful experience, especially when a client becomes lost inside his or her own head. The Therapeutic Drawing Series was developed to bridge the gap from an initial thought to formation of logic. It attempts to offer support and redevelopment using the arts to stabilize an erratic nervous system. You will be your client's guide through the darkness of thought and emotion. Some will travel further than others, and I believe that when you begin to see the remarkable progress that this therapy can trigger, you will respect its power and share it with those who would appropriately use it with their clients.
Maureen DelGiacco, Ph.D., LCAT, CDATA
My greatest concern in sharing the process of DelGiacco's Art Therapy is that it will be mistaken for a "cure all" therapy, which it is not. Some clients may not respond at all to this, or any other therapy. One reason for this is the emotional status of a client, which is so crucial to any therapy's success and, as such, must be a primary consideration at all times. Response also depends on the type of injury. Below is an outline of specific injuries and clients' varied responses, after which I discuss brain injury in general.
I focus on the disruption of sensory flow in these Courses. There is no intent to ignore the damage that is incurred with infarct, transient ischemia attacks, stroke, insult, or toxic brain damage or trauma. Because this is such a complex topic, I felt that it would be wise to focus on the cognitive aspect in relationship to sensory dysfunction. Of course, for safety, all clients' records should be reviewed before beginning any therapeutic program.
Stroke: Even clients who have experienced a major stroke can benefit from this therapy. These clients tend to tire quickly, and noticeable improvement can take a long time. Judgment as to the extent of therapy is necessary, as every client is different. One cannot undo damage from a stroke, but "rebuilding" is possible. A full recovery in clients with severe damage is not likely. However, it is a wonderful gift to give "vision" back, for example, to a woman who could not read for six years because of damage caused by a stroke. She may only be able to read for half an hour at a time, but this sight improvement can be translated into the bigger picture of better functioning in the world.
Brain Tumors: In another example, a client with a brain tumor will often have the same sensitivity to this therapy's stimuli as a person who has experienced a diffuse brain injury. It has been my experience that clients who have had a brain tumor respond nicely to this therapy with less residual effects. However, be on the watch for glassy eyes. It's a sign of sensory overload. When working with all clients, stop when you see this sign.
Brain Injury: Clients diagnosed with brain injury, both major and minor, have benefited from this process. As you begin to work with clients, you will find what process, or part of a process works for that client. Every client will respond or recover differently.
No one can say what a client will be capable of. That is part of the joy and struggle that you will experience together. What I want you to learn is simple--learn how people with neurological damage feel inside; learn to assess them and do thorough progress and final reports so they can serve as a "voice" when the client leaves your care. This will , in turn, help others, who are attempting to further assist them. Neurological injury is a shameful experience, especially when a client becomes lost inside his or her own head. The Therapeutic Drawing Series was developed to bridge the gap from an initial thought to formation of logic. It attempts to offer support and redevelopment using the arts to stabilize an erratic nervous system. You will be your client's guide through the darkness of thought and emotion. Some will travel further than others, and I believe that when you begin to see the remarkable progress that this therapy can trigger, you will respect its power and share it with those who would appropriately use it with their clients.
Maureen DelGiacco, Ph.D., LCAT, CDATA
