THE WORD "COUNSELING," FOR MOST, CONJURES UP IMAGES OF PATIENTS ON SOFT LEATHER COUCHES AND THERAPISTS SCRIBBLING ON PADS OF PAPER. Patients at Counseling Associates in Winchester have come to expect a different kind of service. One reason is AdelaideTurnbull's approach to therapy, which puts the pads of paper in the hands of patients. Turnbull ('94) uses a combination of art and psychology in her methodology.

The registered art therapist and licensed professional counselor works in an out-patient office and sees children, adolescents and adults for individual and family therapy. At JMU, Turnbull intended to major in art with a concentration in painting, but the idea of "living off of the occasional sold painting" wasn't appealing. "I heard of art therapy from another student, and it intrigued me," she says. Furthering her studies in Eastern Virginia Medical School's graduate art therapy program, Turnbull realized the significant amount of preparation JMU offered. "I became confident that art therapy combined two interests of mine in such a way that I could find a satisfying career," she says.

Each of Turnbull's clients begin with an art therapy assessment, which  helps Turnbull identify strengths, needs and other useful information. There is no set formula or book that you can look up interpretations she explains. "Each drawing is a self-portrait and expresses something about the person who created it." After each assessment, Turnbull works with the client to develop a treatment plan best suited to individual goals. "I focus on the process and like to work on what the client brings to each session," she says. Turnbull may suggest a project, but she tends to let her clients set the pace. This treatment method allowed Turnbull flexibility in counseling a 6-year-old girl who lost her brother in an accident. After the assessment and goal setting, the sessions began to focus around the idea of a memory box. Turnbull says, "She brought in photos and other special items related to her brother. Once the box was complete, she decided to write notes to her brother and put them in the box, which she took home."

Turnbull adds, "Every day I learn something new from the process of art. In therapy, the teaching relationship is always reciprocal; it's never static or boring. Even if you're not looking toward a career involving art, I still recommend some exposure to the subject. It's about the process as well as the product."

-- Lisa Freedman ('05)