On the front door of the Princeton outpatient site, a colorful rendering of the Mona Lisa (pictured left) recently served as a welcoming entry point for patients with the words, “You are a masterpiece.” Inside, the walls and ceilings of offices, hallways, break rooms, and the lobby were filled with vibrant artwork produced by both patients and staff as part of an event celebrating the return of in-person treatment: the Women’s Program Art Exhibit.
Featuring the theme collaboration, the exhibit was coordinated by Senior Allied Clinical Therapist Jacqueline Pidich, LPC, ACS, LPAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, Primary Therapist Danielle Andersen, LAC, ATR-P, and master’s level Art Therapy Intern Katie-Lynne Lussier, with the support of Jamie Benjamin, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS, Clinical Manager of the Women’s Program at Princeton.
Art therapy is an integral component of each patient’s treatment plan at Princeton House – even continuing virtually throughout the pandemic. But now, patients are no longer limited to supplies they’d find in their homes. They’ve regained access to in-person collaboration and discussion along with a broad array of art supplies, including many donated by entities such as Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville and Firmenich Inc. in Plainsboro.
Through a wings project (pictured below), patients expressed what they needed to fly in life, such as strength, resilience, and self-love. They learned new skills, including weaving, crocheting, paper quilling, and mask making. Collaborative projects included a kaleidoscope of flower mandalas and mobiles adorned with bright shapes.
“The process of creating artwork was very grounding for the team and for patients,” says Benjamin. “This initiative set the tone that we’re all working together toward the same wellness goals. The pieces came together to create something bigger than ourselves, and you could sense an elevation in mood as soon as we hung up the finished artwork.”
“Art helps us come alive,” adds Pidich. “It’s visually stimulating, self-soothing, and self-motivating. Creating art requires trust in the process and a mindful focus on the present. Paired with the expertise of an allied health therapist, it supports individual treatment goals and can be empowering in the healing process.”
Pictured above banner (left to right, top to bottom): bird house created by a patient who identified Princeton House as their “safe space”; crochet art; Positive affirmation collage; patient artwork, including rocks collected on a mindful walk.
Inset: patient's colorful rendering of the Mona Lisa.
Group shot: Pictured with the wings project are (left to right) Danielle Andersen, Jacqueline Pidich, and Jamie Benjamin.
Patient art shared with patients' permission.
