Recovery Stories Through Collage

Storytelling has long been recognized for its therapeutic value in helping people recover. By adding the creation of a collage, the benefits are greatly enhanced because collage provides an avenue for the creation of personal art. With this in mind, Horizon House, a large psychiatric rehabilitation provider in Philadelphia, in conjunction with three members of a local art group called The Delaware Valley Collage Collaborative (DVCC), recently facilitated 10 workshops held at eight different mental health settings. The three DVCC members included Virginia Conover, Linnie Greenberg, and Arlene Solomon. The workshop settings included several psychiatric rehabilitation programs, a youth employment program, a residential treatment facility for women with substance abuse issues who have also experienced severe trauma, and the Veterans Recovery Program.

The workshops had two parts: 1)Participants were asked to describe where they were in their recovery and what their hopes and dreams were. They then created a collage constructed with magazine images, glue sticks, colored pencils, markers, specialty papers, personal photos, and poetry. Each collage was mounted in a mat frame. 2) Participants explained what the images represented to the whole group. 

Supplies were paid for through a small grant from the Community Support Program of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities Services, along with contributions from members of the DVCC. In addition, each site was given a packet of materials and instructions, so they could repeat the workshop on their own. A staff person was also required to participate in the workshop.

The workshops were extremely successful in terms of the beautiful work that was created as well as the feedback from the workshop participants regarding their experience. With little instruction, the artists produced outstanding creations. Although each person’s recovery journey is individual, there were recurring themes:  family, a nice home, travel, food, and portrayals of themselves before recovery and where they are now. Many chose images of butterflies and maps and included works like “hope,” “love,” and “empowerment,” along with at times, vivid images that clearly show the challenges that each person faces.

Participants provided feedback through a short seven question survey on how they felt about creating a collage, sharing their stories, and whether they felt hopeful. Eighty-nine surveys were completed. Eighty-five percent of participants agreed it was easier to tell their story with a collage compared to talking; 98% agreed enjoyed creating the collage; 95% agreed creating the collage and telling their story made them feel hopeful; and 97% agreed that telling their story through art made them feel connected to the other participants. The written comments were consistently positive, conveying the participants enjoyed the experience although they were skeptical at first, and wanted the facilitators to return for another session.  

At the conclusion of the workshops, an exhibit of 30 collages was held at Artist’s House Gallery, located in a prominent historical area in Philadelphia, for six weeks. The description of the collages posted at the exhibit included the following statements: “The themes expressed by these artists are shared amongst most adults regardless of whether or not they have a mental health diagnosis. We all struggle with our own challenges. The hope for a better life in the community is what bonds us all. For those that have experienced discrimination, it’s about being “like everyone else.” 

Arlene Solomon has worked extensively in the field of psychiatric and vocational rehabilitation. Currently, she is Director of Employment and Education Services at Horizon House in Philadelphia, as well as a consultant for the Temple University Collaborative on Community Inclusion. Her varied experience includes teaching at the Medical College of PA (now known as Drexel University) in the Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education and providing technical assistance and training nationally on topics related to community integration, employment, and supported education. Arlene has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and has been a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Professional (CPRP) since July 2003.