Discover Delmarva Arts: TidalHealth Art Therapy and Mindfulness
SALISBURY, Md. — At TidalHealth, art therapy and mindfulness are used to treat a variety of diagnoses — helping patients feel grounded, aware, and at ease — all while tapping into their creative side. Music therapist Amanda Stejskal says art therapy is all about using different mediums of art to aid in the healing process.
“Patients or people that maybe are nonverbal or have different capabilities and functioning can all access art and it can help people sit with themselves and maybe find ways to get out those really big feelings,” Stejskal said.
She says mindfulness is all about self-awareness. “It’s all about being present. Some examples of being mindful are taking deep breaths and maybe checking in with different parts of your body; Just really being able to be grounded and be with yourself in the moment and notice how you’re feeling.”
Stejskal says creating art has helped her patients feel more confident and empowered to tell their stories without having to use words. “I always hope that they have a sense of pride and accomplishment that they created this thing — and that they also take away that it’s okay to engage in something even if you’re not an expert.”
In the exercises she does with her patients, Amanda focuses on movements and expressions that calm the body. At the end, they take home a piece of their own artwork that serves as a reminder of all the progress they’ve made.
