Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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46 | APRIL 2015 nshoremag.com work as a consulting art therapist for Northshore Education Consor- tium, adjunct professor at Endicott College, and supervisor for Lesley College graduate interns. Creative Bridges is set up like an art studio, with paints, brushes, paper, and other art supplies. The 45- to 50-minute sessions begin with Musial and the patient talking and deciding together what kind of project they'd like to work on that day, or what kind of art supplies they'd like to explore. "I'm meeting them where they're at for the day," she says. For adults and children, sim- ply engaging in the act of being creative and making art can be a positive experience. People not only let their guard down and relax through art but are also able to find success and prideȃIeel- ings that might be in short supply durinJ touJK tiPesȃZKen tKe\ȇYe finisKed a proMect and created something beautiful. "When art is being used, anxiety decreases, and it increases some- one's self esteem," Musial says. Plus, once anxiety is down and self- esteeP is up, clients find it easier to open up and talk. Although a variety of patients are referred to Creative Bridges through physicians, schools, and other resources, Musial most often works with elementary-, middle-, and high school-aged children. She says kids tend to use pictures and play to express themselves rather than talking. That's why art therapy is a good alternative to traditional talk therapy for children. "It's not as intimidating for kids; they're not having to sit there with an adult in a chair," Musial says. Instead, the kids get a chance to play, create, and do something they enjoy. That's when they'll start building a relationship with Mu- sial, and be able to talk about their struggles, maybe mentioning how hard school was that day or how sad they feel about something. "It's their own way of processing through it. It comes more natural- ly," Musial says. At Creative Bridges, patients are free to create whatever feels good to them. An elementary school child whose parents are in the midst of a divorce may draw a picture of what's been especially diɟcult aEout tKe e[perience, and FACES CONTACT Creative Bridges 14 Cedar St. Suite 203 Amesbury 978-290-0042 stephaniemusial.com then work with Musial to create a list of things that are actually posi- tive about it. They could also work together to come up with ideas that may help with the transition. Musial might participate in role- playing scenarios with clients to help them practice and navigate diɟcult or an[iet\inducinJ situa- tions. She remembers role-playing a job interview with a nervous high school student who was having a hard time. There's a doll house in the studio to allow kids to process diɟcult situations tKrouJK pla\ There's also music available to listen to or move to. "Any type of expression, really, can be used," Musial says. Children make up the bulk of Mu- sial's clients, but she sees families and adults, too. For adults, simply having a quiet 50 minutes that's all their own might be enough to help tKeP Zork tKrouJK diɟculties "They can come in and start throwing paint around if they're completely overwhelmed," Musial says. From there, "The conversation happens automatically." Musial also runs parenting groups, providing a place where parents can not only share experi- ences and talk aEout tKe diɟculties and struggles they face throughout tKe da\ Eut also find Za\s tKe\ can change their viewpoint. Musial enjoys helping fami- lies work through their struggles together; nothing happens in a vacuum, and everyone's got a role to play. "That's a big part of what I do: trying to connect with the parents and keep that communication open," she says. "Some of the most rewarding experience has been working together with the families and the parents…and really seeing the connections start to happen." In her studio, Musial helps clients open up through play and art.