CASE STUDY: CHILL & SPILL AT RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER
By Sue Rolando, Arts Coordinator at Morning Star Boy’s Ranch

For the past 8 years, I’ve led the Creative Arts Program for Morning Star Boy’s Ranch, which is a residential treatment center for boys ages 10 through 17 who are experiencing behavioral and emotional problems. An overwhelming number of them come to us having been adopted and then “given back” to the state because they were too difficult to handle. Most have been abused.

Of the boys I work with more than half have a criminal record, are run-aways, or have substance abuse issues. Many also have suicidal tendencies or psychiatric disorders that affect every aspect of their lives. Many are dealing with attachment disorders as well. Each one is struggling to learn how to make healthier decisions.

The arts program I developed is a therapeutic intervention program, which helps the boys explore the arts in a nurturing and healthy way. About three years ago, I began searching for something that could take their art experiences a step further. I wanted something to help them express what was going on inside of them because self-expression is critical in truly helping them heal from their painful histories.

As soon as I found Art with Heart’s Chill & Spill program, I knew I had found what I had been looking for. Chill & Spill soon became an integral part of my program. The boys are able to open up during class and what I uncover, I share with the clinical team, who then uses the information to develop an effective treatment plan.

The therapeutic activities found in Chill & Spill help the boys find the words to talk about, come to terms with and move past their trauma. They learn how to build stronger relationships with those around them – and most importantly they learn how to manage their behavior. I want to share with you stories about three boys to paint you a clearer picture about the power of Chill & Spill…

BRIAN

Brian was 13 years old when he was sent to The Ranch. He’s a very bright and talented boy who used to like school and had been involved in choir and drama. But his mother’s mental illness prevented her from meeting his basic needs. Brian was ordered by the courts to move in with Dad, who had remarried, had five other children, and was unemployed.

As a result of the chaotic situation, Brian began shutting himself down because he felt that nobody cared about him. His self-esteem plummeted and his anger took over. He began acting out – causing major problems both at home and at school. He became too much for his dad and teachers to handle and was sent to the Ranch. As we worked through each Chill & Spill lesson, I began to see changes in him.

One particular activity – called “Powerful/Powerless” – really resonated with him. The activity asked him to create a collage by cutting out pictures from magazines that represented what those two words meant to him. For “Powerful”, he chose pictures of people singing, and students receiving awards. When we talked about the images he chose, he said, “When I’m doing these things, I feel powerful. I feel strong when I’m achieving.”

As Brian worked on the “Powerless” section of the collage, he chose pictures of young people with their heads bowed down looking frustrated, sad or troubled. As he did this, he realized that he really missed being a good student and being involved in the things he enjoyed. It was in this moment he realized that his negative behavior had chipped away at his dreams…. and he wept.

For this young man – who felt overwhelmed with anger all the time… this was the impetus he needed to realize that he alone had the power to put his life on a different track.

As time went on – with more lessons from Chill & Spill – there was noticeable improvement in his school performance and less acting out during home visits. Eventually, Brian was able to be reunited with his family and is now successfully back in school and doing well.

ETHAN

Ethan lived in several foster homes before being adopted at age 6. He had been abused and as a result, was highly aggressive and often exhibited violent behavior. His adoptive parents placed him in a behavioral treatment center when he was 8, where he lived until he was 10. After that, he moved back with his adoptive parents, but it wasn’t too long before he ended up assaulting his mom.

Traditional anger management programs were not working, and Ethan was running out of time before being charged as an adult for committing criminal acts. He was 14 when sent to The Ranch.

There’s an activity in Chill & Spill called “Action and Reaction” – it’s all about teaching kids how to identify their emotional triggers. Through the activity, I asked him to diagram what makes him feel “out of control” both physically and emotionally.

He wrote very little. Instead, he drew and colored a lot. To show how he felt before he hit someone, he ended up drawing fire coming out of his hands.

He had never realized that he had this burning sensation before this activity. It was a huge revelation to him to be able to connect the tingling in his hands to the onset of a violent episode. This was Ethan’s first step toward gaining control of his anger. Before he didn’t know that he had a choice – someone made him mad, and he hit them. Now, he knew that he had choices. For him, this meant the difference between going to jail or getting back on track.

Ethan continued to learn more about his anger triggers, and how to express difficult emotions. Chill and Spill was hugely instrumental in allowing him to become aware of, express and manage his anger. For Ethan, this was life changing.

I am happy to report that he, like Brian, was able to be reunited with his family and is now successfully living at home and doing well in school.

SHAWN

The last boy I’d like to tell you about is Shawn, who is 12. He is a new resident who came to us because his parents asked for help in dealing with his oppositional and defiant behaviors causing much strain on their family relationships.

His “A-HA” moment came during another Chill & Spill activity called “Fly Away”.

This activity asks you to imagine yourself as a seed that a bird takes and puts somewhere safe. It asks you questions like “What kind of plant do you become? Who discovers and tends to you?” etc.

He drew himself as a tree taking root and starting to grow. He included a small person holding a watering can, pouring water on the roots. Shawn added other things that strengthened the tree, like the sun and a rain cloud.

He was then asked to explore who in his life provided him nourishment like that. He paused and looked perplexed at first. He had been in daily conflict with his family prior to coming to the Ranch and this question made him stop and think.

Shawn looked at his picture for a moment and studied the symbols of nature then slowly began to write. He identified his parents, sister and friends as people he could turn to when he was upset…people who loved him.

This was a shift for Shawn to look upon others not as a source of conflict, but as nurturers of his growth, safety and comfort. Becoming aware of his support group was a very important step for him, one that gave him the courage to make an immediate change.

During a recent home visit, Shawn’s social worker got a phone call from his mother who shared this story:
She and Shawn were sitting in the living room together. She noticed that he was unusually calm and relaxed. Out of the blue, he said, “I love you, Mom” and proceeded to sit on her lap and give her a hug.
This wasn’t the angry, defiant and detached child she’d been struggling with for years. She was deeply touched and felt hopeful for his future.

I am confident that Shawn, like Brian and Ethan, will be reunited with his family. I can’t tell you enough how much I believe in Art with Heart’s work. I am privileged to see, on a daily basis, the change that occurs in our boys as a direct result of Art with Heart’s program. You, by being here today, are helping to change the lives of so many young people.