The exhibit offers samples of art therapy projects completed by individuals and groups of varying ages, across mental health diagnoses. According to Sheila Mayse, a Licensed Independent Supervising Social Worker and co-owner of MSW Solutions, “I reached out to the JHH Museum to discuss this partnership event because I feel so strongly about promoting the benefits of mental health services within the community. As therapists, we have many tools beyond traditional talk therapy at our disposal to assist clients in attaining mental well-being. The goal of the exhibit is to highlight the many ways art can be used for healing within the mental health profession. My hope is to expand these efforts to include other agencies and expressive forms of treatment in the future.”

Art is a tool therapists use to help patients interpret, express, and resolve their emotions and thoughts. Patients work with a therapist to explore their emotions, understand conflicts or feelings that are causing them distress, and use art to help them find resolutions to those issues.

Many of the works in the Art as Therapy exhibit have been led by Dawna Walters-Hardesty, LPCC, who incorporates art therapy concepts into her work with children, adults, individuals, groups, and families. She explains the process as, “During a session, a therapist who uses artworks with the client to understand what is causing distress. Then the therapist guides the client to create art that addresses the cause of the issue. I explain that clients don’t have to think of themselves as creative or artistic to benefit and help the client choose and use a medium, such as drawing, sculpture, collage, or painting, guiding the client through expressing themselves through art, usually by asking questions, and discussing the results, including both the work of art and what the client felt.”

For more info on this exhibit, visit jhmuseum.org/special-exhibit