Youngstown — The Ryan Giambattista HELMS Foundation will significantly expand the Ryan Giambattista Art Therapy Program, thanks to a $127,500 grant from several local organizations.
With the increased funding, Chair Terry DiGennaro seeks to expand the culture of art therapy to serve adults, seniors and young people throughout Youngstown.
The grant will be used to hire more therapists and secure the resources needed to improve our services.
“We are stepping into something that started from scratch.” Digennaro said. “All of this funding will provide what the foundation needs to provide treatment.”
The Boardman-based foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to honor the life and vision of the late artist. Its mission, according to its website, is to provide community-based art therapy services, working with groups, individuals, social service organizations, learning institutions, and providers of services in the areas of mental health, developmental and physical disabilities. is to provide
Digennaro’s son Giambattista, 23, died in Struthers in July 2015.
“Through his art, I could see how the rougher times manifested themselves.” she said. “I knew when he would create something.”
she added: “Artists think differently. They function differently. They tap into the creative side that most people don’t.”
Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses the creative process as a form of communication. Instead of speaking to a counselor, clients are able to tap into their emotions, which are then analyzed by a trained therapist.
Grants from Western Reserve Health Foundation, Trumbull Memorial Health Foundation, The Mahoning County Mental Health & Recovery Board, Arnett Family Fund, The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, Frances Schermer Charitable Trust, William Swanston Charitable Fund, The Youngstown provided. Foundation.
Advantages for target audience
Organizations that adapt art therapy programs include: His YWCA in Youngstown and Warren. Yellow Brick Place. Casa Madre; ACLD Learning Center; Potential Development Schools for Autism; Meridian Healthcare; Easter Seal; Compass Family and Community Services.
The type of treatment offered will depend on the development treatment plan of each participating organization.
This can mean helping reunite families coping with trauma, and helping adults and adolescents with their physical or mental health needs, among many therapeutic areas.
“There is no field where art therapy cannot be used. We work with people with dementia, high-functioning or low-functioning autism. Art therapy includes everything.” Digennaro said.
She said most of the services provided begin with a one-hour group therapy session of about six to eight people per group.
who teaches
An estimated 1,065 group sessions will be conducted by art therapists who have graduated from a master’s degree in art therapy and additional certifications.
One of the art therapists is Sarah Stein, 25, from Cleveland, who majored in art and minored in psychology at Kent State University. She also has a master’s degree in art and her therapy from Ursuline College.
Describing the first session, Stein said the therapist “Therapy Bond” Gauge where the client is in healing with a client similar to the consultation.
Starting with a 30- to 40-minute art task, the therapist pays close attention to what the client is drawing and how they are drawing it.
Art therapists observe how clients interact with art and seek insight into who the individual is.
“The colors are large, and the shapes and variations of the lines are abundant.” Stein said. “There’s a lot of appreciation about how art therapy is done, and it’s important to look for different elements of art.”
The final 20 minutes allow the group to reflect and share their work (if they are willing to do so).
For the therapist, part of the session is making adjustments.
“If a group comes to me about what works best for them, I respond to what works best for them.” Stein said.
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