re-stART Stroke Therapy
The opportunity to engage in creative expression, and connect with a like community, is of immense value and support to participants following the trauma of stroke.
Engaging in creativity rehabilitates, renews motivation, and provides purpose in life.
Research undertaken by the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau* found support for the view that Māpura Studios’ Art Therapy Programme contributes towards significant improvement in psychological well-being for stroke survivors.
This group-centred enquiry process initiates a journey of self-reflection and in-depth examination of the experience of having stroke-affect.
Art forms are introduced as tools and ways by which participants can explore emotionally and psychologically, providing insight, healing, and resolution – assisting rehabilitation, and renewing motivation and purpose in life.
The group environment provides a sense of connection and community for those who may be isolated in their experience; a place to share and be heard constructively and safely. The process is dynamic and life-enhancing.
In this programme participants will:
- use art processes to express the experience of being stroke-affected
- explore, discover, and grow meaning to their circumstance
- develop diverse and creative ways of communicating
- be introduced to the elements of artmaking
- meet others in like circumstances and develop companionship.
Image: Untitled Stripes by Christina van der Hooft
Image: Untitled by Gerri Power
As a result of attending this programme participants will:
- feel a renewed sense of purpose and motivation in their lives
- develop the ability to self-reflect and increase self-awareness
- be more aware of and authentically express their experience
- utilise creative process as a life-enhancing tool
- create a vision for a positive future.
ABOUT re-stART Therapy:
Māpura Studios has been running art therapy programmes especially designed for people affected by stroke since 2010. The programme has produced positive outcomes for the majority of participants.
Research has been completed by the Centre for Brain Research of the University of Auckland. The research results support the view that the Māpura Studios Art Therapy programme contributes toward significant improvement in the psychological well-being for stroke survivors.
81% of participants demonstrated improvement in motivation, initiative, and a new sense of self. 71% reported an improvement in their quality of life – post programme.
The programme is endorsed by the Stroke Foundation with whom we have a close relationship.
In 2010, Māpura Studios was contracted by the Stroke Foundation Northern Region Inc, to develop and trial a programme in arts therapy for people with stroke-affect. Māpura Studios subsequently delivered a 14-week art therapy pilot programme for a group of twelve participants. This was followed by further yearly programmes.
All were highly successful with participants responding positively to the experience and reporting significant outcomes, such as a marked increase in their enthusiasm, motivation and ability to re-engage in life. Many participants have continued to be involved in other art programmes at Māpura Studios and continue to greatly enjoy the sense of creative community.
Māpura Studios continues its collaboration with the Stroke Foundation Northern Region and plans to offer two re-stART art therapy programmes each year subject to sufficient funding. One will be centrally located, and the other in South Auckland
“I have been given a new life.
Wonderful people, wonderful art, wonderful healing.”
Objectives
- to provide a safe environment and process in which to explore experiences and issues related to effect of stroke
- to develop participants’ capacity to reflect and grow self-awareness in regard the effect of stroke and its impact upon one’s life
- to develop communication and community with others of like experience
- to utilise creative process in visual art making and art therapy to provide pathway for emotional and psychological healing
- to promote rehabilitation – and to create possible new life pathways and opportunities centred in creativity.
Image: Taniwha by Liebchen Tamahori
Image: New York by Kerry Deane
Description of Art Therapy Programmes for people with stroke-affect
The art therapy programmes are offered to groups of ten to twelve people with stroke-affect who wish to engage in a person-centred, therapeutic group process to directly address the issues arising from the life-changing experience of having a stroke. Each programme runs for 12 weeks.
The Art Therapy Team
The Art Therapy Team is multi-disciplinary. It includes Registered Arts Therapists and qualified art tutors.
The Group Process
The programme follows a ‘group-inquiry’ process, initiating a journey of self-reflection and examination of participants’ experience of having stroke-affect. Prevalent issues such as grief, loss of identity, loss of confidence and self-autonomy, the experience of depression, etc., are addressed.
Image: Moving Away by Allyson Hamblett
Art forms are introduced as tools and ways by which individuals can explore and progress emotionally and psychologically, assisting in their process of rehabilitation.
The group environment provides a sense of connection and community for those who may be isolated in their experience; and offers a place to share and be heard in constructive and safe ways.
Through participating in the group process and sharing their experiences, participants form meaningful connections with one another, learning and growing from each other, developing mutual understanding and companionship.
The outcomes can be life enhancing and catalyse change – they are therapeutic and rehabilitative in effect, creating new pathways.
Opportunities after Art Therapy
The art based therapeutic process has a significant impact on people’s rehabilitation. Creativity as a life enhancing modality regularly becomes part of participants’ daily life. Many discover a real interest and enjoyment in making art and continue to be involved in Māpura Studios’ visual arts programmes (see Leading a Creative Life and Stroke Arts Transition). Here, they experience a real sense of community with one another, develop their arts practice, and have the opportunity to take part in regular Māpura Studios public exhibitions.
Māpura Studios proudly acknowledges the partnership with The Stroke Foundation of New Zealand in the development and ongoing delivery of this programme.