During a group therapy session at SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis, Candace Brown, MSW, LCSW, uncovered something remarkable from one of her patients. Brown, a behavioral health therapist lead for the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program, had a discussion with one of her patients who shared that her teacher was having students write cards for people who were affected by the tornado. Brown was moved, and began to think about adapting this practice into a skill she could leave with other patients.
Brown went to Megan Smith, manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health at SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis. Brown explained that she could use the card-making activity for individuals impacted by the tornado as a therapeutic skill rooted in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). With this activity, patients can apply this skill outside the health care setting. Smith agreed, and Brown went straight to work.
Using therapy creatively
A fundamental element of DBT is a distress tolerance skill known as ACCEPTS. In ACCEPTS, the first C represents “contributing,” which encourages individuals to redirect their attention outward by engaging in acts of kindness or service to others. Brown was able to make the connection with her patients between making cards for tornado survivors and “contributing.”
Before she implemented the technique, Brown measured the stress levels of her patients. After measurement and assessment, the card-making process began. Patients highly enjoyed the activity. And, after they created their cards, Brown once again measured their stress levels. Each patient’s stress level decreased significantly.
After the cards were made, Brown was able to transport the notes of empathy to the organizers collecting donations for tornado victims. The cards accompanied boxes full of paper towels, feminine hygiene products and other items collected by team members at DePaul. The cards were completed with uplifting notes like “May God wrap his arms around you” and “Just remember you are not alone.”
The impact of behavioral health services
The art techniques took focus, practice, and creativity from its participants. And the cards helped their creators learn important emotional and behavioral health skills, such as showing sympathy and empathy. The patients in the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program at SSM Health DePaul Hospital who participated in the card-making project were between 12 and 18 years of age. The entire process took about two days, but Brown hopes the skill set will last a lifetime.
