Page 95 - ART FORM AND MENTAL HEALTH - Ingrid Pénzes

structure and variation as indicators for balance and adaptability | 93
4
Art product, instruction and preliminary diagnosis by psychiatrist or psychologist
Art product
Mental health according to the art therapists in this study
Formulated focus and du- ration of treat- ment
Art product 4
Instruction: Painting a land- scape with acrylic paint; first session
Client 4: Female, age 48, Personality disorder (main), depressive disorder recur- rent moderate.
Combination of formal elements -> structure
Variation
(Im)balance
Adaptability
All therapists men- tion the presence
of movement and dynamic in combina- tion with presence of figuration and some amount of repetition. Seven therapists mention contour, five men- tion color saturation varying between saturated and trans- parent/dry and four mention the pres- ence of mixture of color. They agree that this art product is not completely chaotic or organized structured, yet slightly tending to- wards chaotic.
All therapists agree on the presence of variation.
Compared with the other clients in this study, the therapists find this client most balanced; despite having a tendency towards feeling, yet showing as- pects of thought..
Therapists agree on this client’s adaptability (open as she seems to be experimenting and exploring, flexible as she seems to differ- entiate, creative as she seems not to be restricted to what is familiar or obvious, some limited self-de- termination as her impulses may block her from cognitive control.
Therapists
are optimistic about change . They estimate that this client may benefit from cognitive experiences
to develop the ability to stop and reflect
and develop more cognitive control over feelings in order to enhance au- tonomy.
table continues