The Bridge Behavioral Health Uses Art to Help in Recovery
The Bridge Behavioral Health (www.thebridgenebraska.org) works every day with clients working on coping skills in recovery. Recently, Rachel Redlightning, PLADC, counselor at The Bridge, began using art as a therapeutic tool during group activities. This has provided healthy coping skills via arts and crafts.
“The clients focus on things beyond themselves when using their hands. It helps them open up because the attention isn’t on them, but on their work,” says Redlightning. “Many have never been creative, but see the success in their projects, and can relate that to the success in their sobriety. The clients become invested in each other, encouraging their work, and have genuine, tangible interactions.”
“Detail work forces the clients to slow down and focus. It takes away the instant gratification they are used to, and instead focuses on being mindful,” commented Katie Kimmerling, LIMHP, LADC, director of clinical services at The Bridge.
The Bridge Behavioral Health has served as an essential part of the Lincoln community’s safety net since 1984. They connect people suffering from addiction and related mental-health issues with support and treatment, including medically supervised detoxification, substance use and mental health respite, residential treatment, and a variety of recovery support services. Visit their website www.thebridgenebraska.org and follow The Bridge on Facebook (@TheBridgeNebraska) and Twitter (@TheBridge_NE) to see more about the recovery process.