Author: Wilmer, Harry

Publication Year: 1977

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Abstract:

Though current psychiatry tends to promote short term care and a heavy use of drugs, we work with long term patients and deemphasize drugs. Our approach is Jungian. It uses the arts and media to tap the healing potential of the collective unconscious. This treatment is called synesthetic therapy - a term used by McLuhan and Youngblood to describe the effects of television. We encourage patients to produce abstract paintings which reflect feelings, hallucinations and dreams. We then use color television to study the patients' artwork and, through weekly films and discussions, try to help the patients control their inner turmoil - to balance their inner reality with exterior reality. Synesthetic therapy relies heavily on rituals of culture and group processes. All meetings with staff and patients are videotaped and replayed to facilitate communication between the two. We try to avoid staff authoritarianism and to work with love and care. These goals are large and modestly achieved.

Since video is a new art form, one would expect support from art sources but I suspect they are not interested in medical research, particularly in state and federal institutions. Most new art programs must rely on private foundations. (p. 27-30)

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