Sage House Therapy Partners with MedStar Washington Hospital Center on New Art Therapy Study
In August 2022, MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Sage House Counseling & Art Therapy partnered on a Perinatal Art Therapy study. In the study, small cohorts of participants complete a six-week art therapy group, led by a Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist. Our clinicians, Kelley Kuchinov, Alanna Betts and Kate Tedeschi are the Sage House Art Therapists who collaborated with the researchers at WHC and who are facilitating the weekly research groups.
Eligible participants are between 26-34 weeks pregnant and are introduced to art therapy interventions, which include drawing, painting, bead making, collage, breathing techniques and mindfulness. The study seeks to measure the participants' levels of depression, anxiety as well as their emotional connection to their baby before and after delivery.
Our goal is to show how effective art therapy can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as enhancing the bond between mother and baby.
"As the group facilitator, I can see how each group member physically and emotionally changes from the beginning of the session to the end. As we breath and make art together I watch their shoulders relax and their breathing becomes deeper. They laugh and open up more about their experiences and feelings. It's such a beautiful thing to witness and I wish all pregnant women had this kind of space to be held,” said Kate Tedeschi.
We are about halfway through the data collection process, with a goal of enrolling at least 100 study participants. Our predicted completion date is 2024.
While we are not in the data analysis phase, we have found, over the last several months, study participants are reporting feeling very supported by the group and are enjoying connecting with other moms who are experiencing similar challenges. "Many of the participants have shared one of the most helpful parts of the group is the ability to be vulnerable and "real" together with other women. Pregnancy can be a beautiful time in a woman's life, but it can also be a very uncertain and scary time so coming together as a group to share joys and fears has been cathartic for the group members,” said Tedeschi.
Our team of Art Therapist have also really enjoyed working with the study participants, collaborating with the researchers at WHC and having the opportunity to showcase the power of art therapy!
"Throughout the study I have seen the participants re-awaken to the creative parts of themselves. They sometimes continue the creative process after the session ends or proudly bring art work they made years ago to share with the group,” said Tedeschi.
Stay tuned for more results!
