Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre in Modderfontein introduces art therapy
MODDERFONTEIN – Wedge Gardens is helping residents to heal through creativity.
The Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre has introduced art therapy into its occupational therapy programme.
The centre uses the creative process as a tool to improve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of people undergoing substance abuse rehabilitation.
Occupational therapist at the centre, Kendra Neethling underwent an intensive five-day art therapy training course. In mid-September, the first four-week art therapy journey at Wedge Gardens was successfully concluded. Run as a closed group, it was targeted at specific individuals.
“Art as a modality in occupational therapy is a highly expressive and evocative technique that allows individuals to engage in a carefree, unstructured and highly personal journey towards self discovery,” said Neethling.
“It is a safe space utilised for non-judgmental self expression and was highly enjoyed by the eight patients who partook in the first four-week expressive art therapy sessions.”
Neethling has expressed excitement at the level of engagement from the patients and is excited to see the evolution of the groups as time unfolds.
The expressive art therapy groups are yet another example of how the power of activity can create monumental shifts in a person’s motivation, attitude, skills and self-awareness.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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