Stories:
Client comments about CBT & Expressive Arts Therapy Programs
In-Patients:
James's story: This program has changed my life
Norm's story: I am learning to love and appreciate myself
Robert's story: Expressive Arts Therapy cured what made me an addict
Allen's story: I am learning and practicing real tangible tools
Kenneth's story: I see a light at the end of the tunnel
Loved Ones:
Ed's story: Through his mother's eyes
Gerred's story: A mother says thankyou
Gerred has had the opportunity over the past few years to attend Drug Rehabilitation facilities in an attempt to control his drug addiction. These sessions only lasted 30 days at a time and I always had the opportunity to talk to him almost daily while he was going through his rehab. I know he was getting guidance from qualified people, however he went through some very highs and very lows during those 30 days. He always seemed to be very hard on himself and was often more depressed than positive about his situation and stressed that he would not succeed in controlling his addiction once he left the facility.
Being able to enter Paetzold Centre has made a big difference to his life. He has been very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the Art Therapy Program and he is so thankful for that chance. Since attending, in our daily talks, I have noticed such a wonderful and remarkable change in him. The change is in his voice, his attitude and in his confidence. I have to admit, I didnāt know what to expect because I was unfamiliar with the program. Through his Art Therapy, I have found that he is more positive, he is planning ahead, and best of all, he is aware of what he has done with his life, where he is at now, and where he is going. He seems to be very aware of what has happened to him and what effects his addiction has had on his life. He seems to embrace the knowledge and is moving forward with it. - Dianne
What clients say they have learned about themselves through using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
"I don't question why I think the way I do now. I've learned to re-evaluate how my thinking affects my behaviour. I realize who I really am, how to change my behaviour by how I think. I need to use thinking to keep me aware of how to stay clean." - Lester
"That it is okay to express my feelings in a sensitive way instead of acting out in anger and rage. That I am capable of thinking out my behaviours and actions, instead of just acting out. I am aware of my thought patterns, learned communication skills and deal with my anger." - Dalton
"I have learned to be humane, tolerant, forgiving, compassionate, trustworthy, honest and approachable. I have a life that is profoundly unique, and I have valuable assets, that others could benefit from." - George
"That I act directly upon my thoughts and feelings rather than assessing and re-thinking before acting. I have learned how to re-route y thoughts, understanding core-beliefs and learning to re-focus negative beliefs." - Shaun
"I am more understanding then I thought. I can change the way I feel and think about my drinking and behaviour problems. I did not know that I had a real problem, about anything, until came here. Now, I can face people, talk to them and explain my problems to them and face the feed-back." - Bob
"I took part in the Expressive Arts Therapy program and in the time that I have been here myself and others have noticed an extraordinary positive change in me. The range of issues and problems that can be addressed is limitless. I have learned to express myself in ways I never dreamed possible. This program has changed my life and gives me the tools to keep it that way. If you would like to figure out who you are give it a try."
"In the past I have been to other treatment centers that only seemed to touch on the surface of my addictions, primarily using a 12 step philosophy as a way of therapy. Yet I have always felt that there was a piece of the puzzle still missing and I could never seem to get to the root of my problem. But by being here I've learned to express myself through art, meditation, inner-child work and journaling, which is enabling me to use these tools to heal the wounded child within. I am also learning to love and appreciate myself just as I am which empowers me to finally break the cycle of relapse so that I may have a life worth living. It's like I've been in the darkness for so long, and all someone had to do was to turn on the light. Thank you so much for bringing me home to myself."
"Expressive Art Therapy is a form used to get to what's really underneath. Through meditation and focusing you open the surface of the ice to get to the real problems that are lurking underneath the surface. You bring what is really driving your addictions/problems to the surface for clarification and examination. Once finding what the "catch of the day" is you explore what drives this anger/shame/guilt and so forth. Once exposed, I've found that I've been able to release what it is that drives me thru discussion with therapist and journaling. I've dealt with a lot of issues in the last little while and find I'm calmer and more able to analyze and control my emotions. I recommend Expressive Arts Therapy to anyone who truly desires to find the tools that will enable them to deal with addictions. In my book of life I will write that Expressive Arts Therapy did not cure my addiction, it cured what made me an addict."
"I have been to approximately 15 different treatment & recovery centres over the past 20 years. I have struggled with addiction and my recovery. The Expressive Arts Therapy program I have been att4nding for the past 8 weeks is by far the most unique process I have ever participated in. This program through the meditation and art process has allowed me to explore and discover the reasons why I run away from myself, my life, and my family to use drugs. I now believe and truly understand because of this program I am not a loser or a failure or a quitter, today I am responsible for change in my life. Now that I see and understand where these old core thinking and beliefs come from I am better prepared to threat myself with love and care. The art work is a spring board into myself, into my life and this it where the healing happens. I've never experienced such a deep and profound change in my thoughts, my feelings and attitudes towards myself. I am learning and practicing real tangible tools that I can continue to live my life with when I return to society. Today I feel I am becoming the person I've always wanted to be, free and me!!"
I am in my late forties and have had an on going battle with my addiction for the many years. At the age of 23 I had just become a father and began to seek help. I have been in some of the best treatment centres in the US and Canada. I had realized then, that I really wanted and needed to stop the vicious cycle of committing a slow death. Twelve- fourteen treatment centres later and still with not much of an awareness of healing. Twenty minutes ago I had just finished my Expressive Arts Therapy class for the day. Wow, how powerful! When I first arrived at the Paëtzold Centre I was a broken man, mind, spirit, body and soul. Today I actually see a 'light at the end of the tunnel.' As I am sitting here writing, I have begun to feel tears rolling down my cheeks. Why? I'm healing and learning to feel. From the bottom of my heart, thank you a million times over."
My son, Edward, recently completed the program involving Art therapy and I want to express my gratitude for such a worth while program. I have seen tremendous changes in Ed through his communication with me by phone and by mail. Incidentally he never wrote me a letter before now. Everything he has expressed to me has shown a positive person who is exploring his own spirituality. He is able to express his personal thoughts and emotions as never before, even thanking me for always being there for him. As he experiences feelings from the events in his life he is able to make tremendous changes for the better and look forward to the rest of his life. This particular therapy seems to have opened him up, uncovering all his concealed past hurts. With loving support I believe he now will have a life of service to others with rich rewarding personal connections. Thank you for all that you have given Ed. - Jeanne
I am writing this letter to express my observations of the results and impact that the Art Therapy Program has had on my son Gerred, and to our family since he has been attending Paetzold Centre in Mission, BC.
