29 May Mental Health Awareness Month – A Candid Discussion with Art Therapist Dawn Ippoliti (Ep. 12)
EPISODE SUMMARY
Our Breaking Distance Team sat down with Art Therapist Dawn Ippoliti LCAT, ATR-BC for Mental Health Awareness Month. We had an opportunity to delve into her practice as an art therapist and speak about mental health issues people are dealing with, particularly in regards to quarantine and the lock-down. Dawn is a licensed, board certified, art therapist and registered with the American Art Therapy Association. For almost twenty years Dawn has worked in a variety of clinical settings and institutions both in California and New York, providing art therapy and mental health services to children and families in crisis. Currently, she works as the program supervisor for New York University Art Therapy in the Schools Program providing supervision and trainings to school art therapists and their graduate level interns.
EPISODE NOTES
Our Breaking Distance Team sat down with Art Therapist Dawn Ippoliti LCAT, ATR-BC for Mental Health Awareness Month. We had an opportunity to delve into her practice as an art therapist and speak about mental health issues people are dealing with, particularly in regards to quarantine and the lock-down. Dawn is a licensed, board certified, art therapist and registered with the American Art Therapy Association. For almost twenty years Dawn has worked in a variety of clinical settings and institutions both in California and New York, providing art therapy and mental health services to children and families in crisis. Currently, she works as the program supervisor for New York University Art Therapy in the Schools Program providing supervision and trainings to school art therapists and their graduate level interns. https://www.art-therapy.com/
More About Art Therapy and Dawn’s Approach
Art therapy is a unique form of therapy that integrates the creative process for emotional health and healing. Many of the people I see are looking for alternatives to traditional talk therapy. Using art can be extremely beneficial to the therapeutic process as it can help illuminate your internal world. When you engage in discussion and the creative process together, both the left and right hemispheres of the brain are stimulated promoting the whole brain to function simultaneously.
Our focus is more about the process of creating and finding a place you feel safe to freely explore. However creating art is always your choice and if you prefer verbal means of expression, I will always welcome the direction you choose.
I offer a supportive and nurturing environment with practical feedback to help my clients effectively address the challenges they face. While we can’t change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve behaviors or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
I know it is a difficult decision to start therapy and often times people can even feel conflicted about whether or not they are ready, or the time is right. I acknowledge your courage for beginning the process and taking action to move in a new direction. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
ARTICLES AND RESOURCES
COVID Crisis and Mental Health:
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/covid-19-coronavirus
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/04/mental-health-coronavirus/
https://www.mountsinai.org/care/behavioral-health
https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/child-adolescent-psychiatry/clinical-services
CRISIS SUPPORT:
To request a mobile crisis team in NYC, call NYC Well at (888) NYC-WELL (888-692-9355
1-800-273-8255
Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).
Other helpful resources for parents and young people:
You can find similar guidelines in English, Spanish, Chinese, Amharic, Korean, French, and Vietnamese at https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource
Talking with Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks: https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/pep20-01-01-006_508_0.pdf
How to Talk to Teens About the New Coronavirus:
Talking to Kids and Teens About Coronavirus (by age-group):
Stress and Coping: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Caring for Children in a Disaster: https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html
Supporting Kids and Teens through the Pandemic:
How Teenagers Can Protect Their Mental Health During Coronavirus: