A therapeutic photography pilot program developed at the Lebanon VA Medical Center will be implemented at other VA hospitals using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' innovation investment program designed to ensure best practices are spread throughout the VA health care system.
This 10-week pilot program, called The Seeing Lens, fuses therapy and art together to assist veterans in recovery by increasing skills such as self-awareness, coping and mindfulness. Each week focuses on a different aspect of recovery and ties it to photography. For example, the recovery topic of clarity and attention is tied to the photography lecture on aperture and depth of field. Each veteran enrolled in the program is provided a camera and a textbook for the duration of the course.
The program's results included a 91% completion rate with zero no-calls and no-shows, according to Amy Cook, a recreation therapist assigned to Lebanon VA Medical Center. Artwork was displayed in an exhibit at Lebanon Valley College.
Lebanon VA Medical Center is one of 170 medical centers in the nation that provide medical care to America's veterans. Lebanon VA Medical Center serves Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill and York counties. Lebanon VA Medical Center also currently oversees community clinics located in Lancaster, Mechanicsburg, Pottsville, Wyomissing, York and Fort Indiantown Gap. Veterans who may be eligible to receive care and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may call 717-272-6621, ext. 6000.
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