Hilla Yaniv
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Title: Using the observation of art work to facilitate therapeutic change with patients coping with schizophrenia
Biography
Biography: Hilla Yaniv
Abstract
This lecture will discuss a therapeutic process carried out with patients coping with Schizophrenia, who are highly suspicious of their therapists and having difficulty in forming a relationship. Those circumstances led to combine seemingly a new method of the creative therapeutic process utilizing the observation of artwork – a visual metaphoric instrument. The use of observing artworks, while relating to contents that arise from the artwork, had led to the dissipation of fear and suspicion and gradual familiarity in the relationship, altering between proximity and distance. The analysis of the cases points to the potential of using the observation of artwork in certain therapeutic cases, both for the process of forming a relationship and in nurturing a process of change, which includes a deep emotional dialogue. The resulting dialogue is indirect and gradual, reduces anxiety, facilitates growth and provides support for the rehabilitation process within the community. Examples of therapeutic cases, in which this therapeutic process was used, will be presented.