This semester (spring 2022), I began an art therapy internship with Dr. Meera Rastogi at the UC Garner Neuroscience Institute to observe this particular form of therapy with patients who have movement disorders like Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's. In this time I was able to bear witness to the power of friendship, the burden of chronic illness, and the healing properties of art.
During the third week of school I finally got COVID and was down for the week. This was fine for this art therapy internship as the first half of the semester began virtually.
Amber, the other intern, and I met the first group virtually and it was interesting because it had 3 people who very clearly knew each other. This group—I'll call them group A— had members who had a various assortment of movement disorders but have been in this art therapy group together on and off for the last 3 years. We met this group of people every other week and a large part of the experience so far has been learning about their relationships with each other and truly admiring how they are able to support one another.
During the virtual half of the semester, the other group, those with multiple sclerosis, did not have as much of a regular zoom presence with one or two different people each week.
The midpoint of the semester marked a turn of events as we were able to meet in person with both of these groups and this experience of the last ~5 weeks was much more impactful.
Being in person for this type of therapy opened new doors of communication and reflection. For instance, patients could choose which art materials they wanted to use and the options of various mediums is also part of the art therapy process. I love the art cart, and enjoyed having my hands on art supplies that I don't normally get to interact. Not only was this more impactful to hear patient reflections after they created their art, but also a new experience of how to conduct myself in this more clinical space. I had to re-learn how to carry myself and show others that I was attentive as the sessions lasted about 3 hours. This was something that I struggled with more than I thought I would. Amber and I both had trouble with fidgeting which we alleviated by having something to fidget with in our hands. There was another week where I kept yawning during a session and Dr. Meera brought it up during our reflection time. Re-adjusting to being back and presenting myself as a therapist/healthcare professional for long periods of time is something that I'm continuing to work on.
Some of the prompts that were used over the weeks included:
I truly have been so touched by the thoughts, reflections, and kindnesses that have been shared with each of the group members and myself. This time with
Amber, the other intern, and I met the first group virtually and it was interesting because it had 3 people who very clearly knew each other. This group—I'll call them group A— had members who had a various assortment of movement disorders but have been in this art therapy group together on and off for the last 3 years. We met this group of people every other week and a large part of the experience so far has been learning about their relationships with each other and truly admiring how they are able to support one another.
During the virtual half of the semester, the other group, those with multiple sclerosis, did not have as much of a regular zoom presence with one or two different people each week.
The midpoint of the semester marked a turn of events as we were able to meet in person with both of these groups and this experience of the last ~5 weeks was much more impactful.
Being in person for this type of therapy opened new doors of communication and reflection. For instance, patients could choose which art materials they wanted to use and the options of various mediums is also part of the art therapy process. I love the art cart, and enjoyed having my hands on art supplies that I don't normally get to interact. Not only was this more impactful to hear patient reflections after they created their art, but also a new experience of how to conduct myself in this more clinical space. I had to re-learn how to carry myself and show others that I was attentive as the sessions lasted about 3 hours. This was something that I struggled with more than I thought I would. Amber and I both had trouble with fidgeting which we alleviated by having something to fidget with in our hands. There was another week where I kept yawning during a session and Dr. Meera brought it up during our reflection time. Re-adjusting to being back and presenting myself as a therapist/healthcare professional for long periods of time is something that I'm continuing to work on.
Some of the prompts that were used over the weeks included:
- Draw yourself as a vessel in the ocean
- How do you picture yourself as a sexual being
- Draw your inner critic
I truly have been so touched by the thoughts, reflections, and kindnesses that have been shared with each of the group members and myself. This time with