An innovative healing arts program at Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Groton's Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic is helping Wounded Ill & Injured Sailors and Marines along the path to recovery.

Developed by the clinic's registered nurse, Caroline Lampasona, the healing arts modules are integral components of the clinic's five-week intensive outpatient program and introduce service members to complementary and alternative treatment modalities such as art, yoga, journaling, mindfulness meditation, and guided imagery.

"While the majority of the patient's day is spent working with rehabilitation therapists and behavioral health clinicians, Caroline thought it would be beneficial to the service members to integrate a wider variety of treatment techniques into the patient's day," noted LCDR Michael Kluk, the clinic's program manager.

"Initially, we began by offering a breathing and relaxation class twice each week. Then, after much study and obtaining the appropriate teacher certification, we added a weekly yoga class," remarked Ms. Lampasona.

As time went on journaling and art classes were added to the mix.The journaling class meets once during the five-week program and allows patients to explore the calming effects of creative writing. First, photographs of doorways are displayed on a table in front of the patients.

These serve as writing prompts. Patients are free to use these as starting points for their written compositions or they can disregard them completely.
At the beginning of the journaling session Ms. Lampasona reminds participants that their writings will neither be read nor collected, allowing them to express themselves freely.

"They can choose to take their writing with them or I offer to shred it. The choice is theirs," stated Ms. Lampasona.

Art sessions are conducted two times during the five-week treatment program. One class is devoted to coloring mandalas and the other to designing and creating masks.

Mandala, which means 'circle' in Sanskrit, is a geometric pattern that symbolizes the universe. While some believe that creating and coloring mandalas helps stabilize, integrate, and re-order inner life, their primary purpose in the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic is to introduce patients to a safe, low-cost activity they might find relaxing. "Sitting quietly for an hour or so and coloring these highly intricate designs really helps to take our patients' minds off of all the stressors in their lives," observed LCDR Kluk.

During the mask-making class, patients are provided with a blank papier-mche mask which serves as a canvas for their creative expression. A variety of watercolors, markers, pastels, and brushes are placed around the table. Patients are free to select the items of their choosing in order to create a unique piece of art. "In every class at least one patient discovers he has a hidden talent," commented LCDR Kluk.

More than simply creating a personalized design, the masks oftentimes serve as emotional outlets for the group members, allowing them to express with a brush what they are unable to say with words. "Since many of our patients have histories of significant trauma, these complementary and alternative modalities provide additional outlets for our patients to express themselves," noted Ms. Lampasona.

The Naval Branch Health Clinic Groton Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic offers Navy Medicine's only dedicated clinic for Wounded Ill & Injured Service Members in the northeast. Treatment is available for active duty service members from all branches of the military as well as other eligible beneficiaries.

The five-week intensive outpatient program is offered approximately nine times per year. In addition to the healing arts classes, groups focused on healthy coping skills, cognitive rehabilitation, brain health nutrition, and sleep hygiene are incorporated into the program. Please contact LCDR Michael Kluk at Michael.R.Kluk.mil@mail.mil for further information.