Originally posted May 15, 2015
By Laura L. Acosta
UTEP News Service
Being born with a high-arched palate impaired Theron Nicholson’s ability to clearly articulate words like “dog” or “truck” that could only be made by his tongue touching the roof of his mouth.
Too afraid to speak, Nicholson completely stopped talking when he was 3 years old. Instead, his grandmother encouraged Nicholson to communicate through pictures rather than words. She sat with Nicholson for hours as he drew characters and created stories to go along with them in his head.
“[Granny] allowed me to communicate through art,” recalled Nicholson, who will graduate with a master’s in rehabilitation counseling from The University of Texas at El Paso on May 16. “I quickly developed a knack for drawing and began to understand that I didn’t need to depend on the formation of words or my voice to communicate.”
Nicholson wore a retainer for more than a year to correct his high-arched palate. In first grade he worked with a speech therapist, which helped boost his confidence.
After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from UTEP in 2010, Nicholson decided to apply the valuable lesson he learned from his grandmother into a career helping people with emotional and physical disabilities express themselves through art therapy.
“The insight I have gained through personal trauma, a hunger to explore the human experience and my personal process of healing really fueled my decision to pursue a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling,” Nicholson said. “I believe as humans, we are charged with no greater responsibility than to help one another. That single principle is my greatest motivation.”
Nicholson was the first student in the Master of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) program in the College of Health Sciences to explore art therapy at the Counseling Center of Expressive Arts during the fall 2014 semester.
The practicum allowed Nicholson to shadow Luis Cano, El Paso’s only licensed professional counselor with a master’s degree in art therapy.
Nicholson gained real world experience as he observed Cano apply art mediums including drawing, painting and sculpting to help clients experiencing depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
During therapy sessions, Nicholson saw how using different types of materials, such as fabric, textured paper and clay, helped children with sensory issues. He also saw how art therapy allowed children to develop problem solving skills by having them draw solutions to a problem.
“Art therapy benefits people with emotional and physical disabilities by allowing them to express themselves in various ways other than the traditional talk therapy,” explained Cano, who earned a psychology degree from UTEP. “At times, it is difficult to put into words how we feel, and art allows us the opportunity to express ourselves in ways that are genuine and cannot be censored. In the process of making art, clients can use their body – not just their hands – to express emotion, alleviate pent up energy, and learn new skills that can be a benefit to them in the future.”
Kristin Kosyluk, Ph.D., a visiting professor in the MRC program, fully supported Nicholson’s decision to learn about art therapy at the Counseling Center of Expressive Arts.
Kosyluk said that even though art therapy may not be a traditional form of therapy practiced by rehabilitation counselors, there is evidence to suggest that this form of therapy could be beneficial to individuals with disabilities.
“After getting to know Theron, I could see that (the Counseling Center of Expressive Arts) was an excellent fit for him,” Kosyluk said. “Theron is an artist himself and this was a setting where he could apply his leisure interests to his work to benefit individuals with disabilities. I think that Theron’s interest in art therapy is an excellent choice for him that will lead to great personal and professional job satisfaction.”
While completing his practicum, Nicholson said he learned that a person’s ability to explore, express and understand themselves is their most powerful tool to live a healthy life.
“It was during that practicum, and with the encouragement of my mentors and professors, that I was reassured that the scope and reach of this specific type of (art therapy) counseling was obtainable,” Nicholson said. “The rehabilitation counseling program has been supportive of the risks and leaps I have taken during my graduate course work.”
The experience also has allowed Nicholson to advance his goal to incorporate art into the overall wellness of the community.
During his first semester in the MRC program, Nicholson and his wife co-founded “The Caldo Collective,” a nonprofit organization aimed at creating bridges between artists and the communities in which they live.
Projects include, “Frijol Feasts,” a fundraising dinner for artists living in El Paso, and the “Transient Triangle Project,” which temporarily transforms unused public spaces into 48-hour art venues.
After graduation, Nicholson plans to obtain his licensed professional counselor credential within the next two years.
His internship at Pride Industries, a nonprofit employer of people with disabilities, has turned into a full-time employment opportunity where he will continue to assist individuals with disabilities secure jobs.
Eventually, Nicholson would like to create an organization where he can merge his rehabilitation practice and his artistic side.
“The Counseling Center of Expressive Arts reassured me that my skill and expertise in the field of art will continue to allow me the freedom to explore the applicability of critical analysis and subsequent action to my work as a future counselor or therapist,” Nicholson said. “I learned my identity as a contemporary creative will also enhance my professional identity as a rehabilitation counselor.”