There is a little-known art gallery in Westchester that boasts a striking collection of drawings, paintings and sculptures. What’s unique about this showcase is that the works of art are not created by professional artists and it’s not open to the public. Nonetheless, there’s a lot of art here worth viewing and all of it has been created by adults who are recovering from emotional disorders or suffer from psychiatric illness which affects their functioning.
The exhibition area is actually the offices and walls of White Plains Hospital Center’s Continuing Day Treatment Program (CDT) — an intensive, multi-disciplinary day program serving adults with a wide range of emotional difficulties. Since its inception thirty years ago, the professional staff at CDT has helped countless numbers of patients make the transition from inpatient care to the community as well as others who are undergoing outpatient psychotherapy.
Art therapy is one of several therapies and treatment modalities that the program provides that are designed to accelerate the patient’s rehabilitation and prevent relapse. And, it’s also the most visible reminder that this form of therapy “helps individuals experiencing emotional difficulties to communicate feelings and experiences that are difficult to express verbally,” says Susan Cooper, an art therapist at CDT.
She added: “The creative outpouring by the patients yields very unique and distinctive works of art — worthy of being put on display. The patient is recognized for his or her artistic expression inspiring others to express themselves in this way. This plays a large role in the healing process.” In all, there are about thirty five works on display at CDT.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, “art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma or seek personal development. Through creating and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences;
In addition to art therapists, the CDT art therapy program includes the participation of local professional artists, thanks to the support of ArtsWestchester and the Westchester Department of Community Mental Health. Funding by the county enables local professional artists to work with the patients on their projects during residency periods lasting two or more months. This allows for a sustained, hands-on approach to help patients fully realize their creative visions.
“In many cases, the patients had no idea they had the ability to express themselves through art,” stated Ms. Cooper. “For some, the discovery has led to a new and meaningful interest.”
The CDT program can accommodate up to 55 patients, weekdays. The patients undergo diagnostic evaluation, treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention and pharmacotherapy services. Other services include coping skills, socialization skills, assertiveness training, communication, music therapy, medication education, rehabilitation readiness, psychoeducation, stress management, time and money management.
White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) is a 292-bed voluntary, not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of offering high quality, acute health care and preventive medical care to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. Centers of Excellence include the Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center, The William & Sylvia Silberstein Neonatal & Maternity Center and The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel Stroke Center. Other specialty programs include The Westchester Orthopedic Institute and minimally invasive robotic surgery. The Hospital has the busiest Emergency Department in Westchester County, treating 48,000 patients a year. White Plains Hospital Center is an eight-time winner of the Consumer Choice Award, an honor given to the nation’s top hospitals by the National Research Corporation. WPHC is a member of the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System and the Stellaris Health Network, Inc. For additional information, visit http://www.wphospital.org.
