Through Our Eyes,In Our Voices,the arts in our lives

Sometimes it is not about how the arts directly effect us,it is the way the arts effect those we work with or are around us. By seeing first hand how the arts can have an impact on individuals around us -they have an indirect effect on ourselves-the ARTS are powerful.

Art and Relationship Building

By Nicole Johnson Roberson, LCSW, MSW

I was a school social worker at a private school in Washington, D.C. when I was introduced to Robert. Robert was a unique young man, as was the school he attended. This private school primarily served teenagers with special needs and Robert was a first-year student when we began working together.

As a school social worker, our main responsibility was to provide clinical support as identified on each student’s individualized education plan. This support was provided through clinical counseling, group work and advocacy. Since Robert was a new student, I was particularly interested in helping him acclimate to his new environment.

The first day of school was excitingly chaotic. A day filled with moments of excitement and the all too familiar periods of anxiety experienced by staff and students alike. I was experiencing the latter when I finally found Robert and introduced myself to him. I extended my hand. Nothing. I tried to explain why I was there in the first place. Nothing. I attempted a little small talk. Nothing. I’m sure you see where this is going… Robert literally seemed to see past me. As if I were invisible. At least that’s exactly how I felt. At the time, it was hard to grasp but I would soon understand the significance of that moment. I would learn that Robert too felt invisible and ignored.

I would come to understand that what I perceived as nothing was just the opposite. I would learn that communication can take place in an array of mediums. Nonverbal communication being one. Unbeknownst to me, Robert would soon introduce me to the power of another.

Robert refused to meet with me for the first several weeks of the school year. I exhausted my therapist toolbox, mentally and physically. I consulted with everyone working with Robert. None of the other staff seemed to be having the difficult time I was experiencing. I would be remiss if I said I was not troubled and did not doubt my abilities. I felt deflated but I refused to give up.

One day, the school’s art teacher suggested that I join he and Robert in class. Knowing how talented and attuned this teacher was to his students, I jumped at the opportunity and it changed everything.

The first day was eye-opening. I chose to simply be an observer and learned that Robert was an amazing artist, that he communicated with his hands, and was particularly fond of painting on canvas. I attended Robert’s art class weekly, and although he did not speak initially, our moments of silent engagement increased. With time, Robert allowed me to sit next to him as he created his masterpieces. And without warning, one day he appeared at my office door.

I tried to hide my shock and excitement as he stood at my office door. I’m sure I failed. My smile was too apparent. He didn’t return the smile, but he held something large in his hand. Without a word, he handed it to me and left. What he offered was as beautiful as a toothy smile and as eloquent as a poem by a professional writer. It was a beautiful painting of the sun. Each ray bursting into what seemed to be radiant stars that merged at the top. This would be the first of many to come. It would become our means of communication.

It took time but eventually Robert and I began meeting regularly outside of his art class. He initially remained relatively non-verbal with me, but began to directly respond to my probing by creating art work. I would ask him about family matters and he would respond with a picture. Sometimes it would be explained and other times it would be shrouded in mystery. In either case, the creation of the work was powerful and therapeutic. Even when the paintings were not thoroughly explained, both Robert and I experienced a sense of validation, understanding, and appreciation simply through the process of sharing. It was an incredibly powerful dynamic that evolved into an increasingly more verbal relationship that never abandoned the use of art in treatment.  

In fact, my work with Robert only increased my interest and resolve to use various creative and artistic mediums when working with students and private clients. I continue to see the power of art in treatment. I only hope that this story highlights the intrinsic and therapeutic nature of the arts for everyone.