Jade JagoProject title: Determining the effects of dissociative clients' communication through visual journal use from a therapists' perspective: A mixed methods approach.

Jade Jago is an emerging art therapist with a background in special education, science, and language teaching. She is driven by a passion for communication and empowering individuals to find their voice. As a visual art teacher she developed curricula that maximised student abilities, with artmaking contributing significantly to the wellbeing of the school community. Jade believes everyone can be artists regardless of their background and wants to make a positive impact by helping people improve their lives. Her love of language and communication, science and the arts have been a constant throughout her career, and she is excited to bring her passion and experience to this new profession.

For Jade, the act of creating is more important than the materials used, and mistakes are viewed as opportunities for learning. She enjoys sculpting with wire and clay, printmaking, acrylic and watercolour painting, and drawing with conte-crayon, oil- and soft-pastel, graphite and coloured pencil. Her diverse skills allow her to connect with others over a range of interests and media. Jade appreciates the scientific precision of botanical art and soft lines of life drawing. It is her experience that viewing the world as an artist enhances mood, outlook, and appreciation of detail. She believes beauty can be found in everything and everyone if one learns to look, leading to joy in everyday encounters.

Dissociative states affect one’s sense of Self, and can result in disconnection from emotion, memory, bodies and/or environment. It disrupts communication and negatively impacts the formation and maintenance of the therapeutic alliance. Jade’s article explores ways in which visual journals can provide a consistent sense of Self and strengthen the communication and the bond between dissociative clients and therapists. Her artwork delves into the nature of dissociation and the unpredictable process of research. Jade uses charcoal to highlight the 'black and white' factual nature of research and the colourless disconnect of dissociation. Jade created an intentional parallel between process and topic by choosing a medium that was novel to her in order to address themes of disorientation, disconnect, and finding voice. In doing so she created pieces that convey a sense of ungroundedness and invites emotional and intellectual exploration and nuanced reflection on the complexities of both dissociation and the research process.


Into the Unknown
Into the Unknown
Charcoal on Paper
29.7cm x 42cm

The research process was disorienting and brought up feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and inadequacy. Research only becomes defined as one progresses along the journey, requiring blind faith, doggedness, and determination—an unsettling experience.

 

The Plain
The Plain
Charcoal on Paper
29.7cm x 42cm

The plain depicts the numbness of dissociation. Faint tracks in the grass symbolize possible research pathways to truth, as well as tracks to traverse the dissociative plain to face a threatening reality on the horizon.

 

Not Mine
Not Mine
Charcoal on Paper
29.7cm x 29.7cm

Not Mine illustrates the dissociation from the body that can occur in a dysregulated state.

 

Speechless
Speechless
Charcoal on Paper
29.7cm x 29.7cm

This piece portrays the speechlessness experienced in dissociation. Automated responses constrict the throat and empty the mind. The snake, though it adopts a protective position on the shoulder, restricts healing and growth.

 

Into the Forest
Into the Forest
Charcoal on Paper
29.7cm x 42cm

The unknown hides in the depths of the forest. Embarking upon research requires the courage to tread an ill-defined path, forge one’s own way, and learn to discern the forest from the trees.

 

Dinner is Served
Dinner is Served
Charcoal on Paper
29.7cm x 42cm

My research explores the neurological processes that separate those who dissociate from their sense of self, physical environment, memories and/or emotions, and the role visual journalling may play in strengthening the therapeutic alliance and reintegrating left and right hemispheric functionality.

 

Attrition
Attrition
Charcoal on Paper
29.7cm x 42cm

Premature therapy dropout is common in clients prone to dissociation. Visual journaling may enhance communication, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, and reduce dissociation in session, allowing for deeper engagement and enabling essential therapeutic work to progress.

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