Art Therapy and Acquired Brain Injury: Building

Integrity through Creative Self Expression

Sally Sainsbury (BSc, DipTAT)Elizabeth Mudri (BA)

ART THERAPY AND ABIRees (2005) notes that in cases of acquired brain injury, “Unless there is

significant participation in carefully chosen activities, withdrawal, isolation

and dependency can become characteristic and therefore reinforce

negative behaviours in an all-encompassing cycle of impulsivity,

disinhibition, and stress-laden unawareness”.

ART THERAPY AND ABI“Some key contributions that art therapy can make to rehabilitation

include; sensory experiences, symbolic expression, emotional expression, life enhancement,

cognitive development and social connectedness.” Van Lith, Fenner

and Schfield (2010).

AIMS• Smith(2007)highlights how art can serve as an

aid to rehabilitate sense of self, self esteem and social skills through group participation and self exploration

• The focus is on the creative process, not the outcome

• Facilitating and supporting psychological healing; guiding sense of identity, as a person with ABI

• To redefine rehabilitation goals in the context of participants life values

• Provide a positive distraction from individuals problems and perseverations

METHOD

• 6 ninety minute sessions• 5-9 participants per session, non-judgemental

environment• Group facilitated by Speech Pathologist, Social

Worker, with assistance from Occupational Therapy students and allied health students

• Transpersonal approach to therapy• Sessions structure consists of myth, story

poem, activity, reflections, debrief• “Drop in style”, to accommodate clients with

other rehabilitation appointments at the time of the group

Case Study – Mickey GSocial History:• 57yo Italian male, ex-granite worker• Worker’s compensation injury• “House husband” for wife and three kids, including

7yo twin boys with ADHDMedical history: • Right Pontine stroke 2008, left hemiparesis, TIA’s

and other Interests:• Cooking group, bowls, bowling, fishing, woodwork

LONG TERM GOAL: To spend as much time possible at home with his wife and kids

Session 4,5,6 - MASKS

• Story: “I’m the prince with a beautiful princess” (Sophia Loren)

• Fred and George: Fred is quiet, shy, plain/pale – George is vibrant, charismatic, colourful

Session 2 – Head/Body Sculptures

• Mickey G’s self portrait in dough…

OUTCOMES• Reflections from clients present ideas and

their relationship with creative process, overcoming ABI symptoms - conscious and unconscious self-awareness and self- identity

• Using stories, myths, poems, and engaging in reflections – creating positive identification with the reality of each participants’ pre morbid and current identities, relationships, experiences

• Engagement created a social connectedness, rather than therapist/client relationship – trust and rapport transparent

Art Therapy allows an individual to express their individuality with integrity, rather than being the

victim of an Acquired Brain Injury, to understand and know THEIR OWN identity, rather than being modelled

by their disability“YOUR BRAIN INJURY

DOES NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE. YOU DEFINE

WHO YOU ARE”

REFERENCESRees, Roger (2005). Interrupted Lives;

Rehabilitation & learning following brain injury. Victoria: IP Communications.

Smith, C. (2007). Innovative rehabilitation after head injury: Examining the use of a creative intervention. Journal of Social Work Practice, 2(3), 297-309.

Van Lith, T., Fenner, P., & Schofield, M. (2010). Art Therapy in Rehabilitation. In J.H. Stone & M. Blouin (Eds.), International Encylcopedia of Rehabilitation. Retrieved from http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/article.php?id=131&language=en

QUESTIONS?