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Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune's Art Therapy Exhibit Helps Overcome Combat Trauma, Create Awareness
Story Number: NNS130614-18
6/14/2013
By Anna Hancock, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Public Affairs Office
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune's (NHCL) art therapy program art exhibit came to a close June 14, after more than a week of thought-provoking display on the hospital quarterdeck.
Themed, Healing Wounds Through Expressive Freedom, the purpose of the exhibit was three-fold. It was designed as a therapeutic platform for patients to display and discuss the experiences that inspired their artwork, and to serve as a unique aesthetic experience teaching exhibit goers about the benefits of art therapy. For many patients, it posed as a challenge for them to conquer as they publically talked about overcoming the stigma surrounding seeking treatment for mental health and wellness.
"Art therapy can be an integral part of the healing process for many service members who have experienced a trauma and who are looking for ways to transform their lives and move forward with a stronger sense of identity and resilience," explained NHCL's Art Therapist Gayla Elliott. "Most of our patients are overcoming post traumatic stress from combat-related experiences, but this modality can also be effective for patients who have experienced traumatic brain injury as well."
With more than 30 pieces of artwork, the exhibit featured paintings, drawings, masks, sculptures, and poetry. Patients and their family members stood next to their art throughout the week, discussing their combat trauma experiences that led to their creations.
"My husband had delayed post traumatic stress disorder," explained Lali Vega, a spouse of one of NHCL's art therapy patients. "I started noticing symptoms, and he decided to get help. Art therapy has done well for him, taken him out of his shell."
One of the most notable successes of art therapy, according to Elliott, is how it gives a voice to patients who have experienced trauma, but are either reluctant to get help or have difficulties talking about their experiences. She also noted how most of the patients have little or no experience working with the various mediums of art therapy.
"Unconscious material is often shown through art," said Elliott. "Even if the artwork is not mechanically perfect, the content has deep meaning for the patient and once it is put on paper, the patient can see both the art and the problem face to face. I help the patient understand the images and the best methods to overcome what is depicted."
NHCL's art therapy program treats approximately 50 patients per week in group and studio sessions and individual counseling appointments. It was established in 2009 as part of the hospital's Mental Health Directorate and is used as an adjunct therapy that integrates the fields of human development, visual art, and the creative process through models of counseling and psychotherapy. It continues to be one of NHCL's most effective post-traumatic stress disorder treatment programs.
NHCL's art therapy program also focuses on helping patients learn how to resolve conflict, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem, achieve insight, develop hand-eye coordination and increase concentration and focus.
"Sometimes when we're discussing his artwork, it feels like we're going backward, reliving the trauma, and it hurts," said Vega. "But really, we're moving forward and it lets me see what he sees through his art since he doesn't speak about it. And our family and his career has been better because of it."
For more news from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhcl/.