Art Therapy is a service offered here at THS that helps students express their emotions through artwork, photography, and art directives in a manner different from traditional therapy. Art therapy has recently been a subject of great excitement for both student clients and the person who started it all here at THS: our very own Ro’Shaun Dorsey.

Dorsey has been interested in bringing art therapy to Tuscarora High since she began working here, and has made it her mission as part of her Masters program to help students enjoy the benefits art therapy has to offer.

Dorsey reassured that what makes art therapy stand apart from other forms of therapy is that oftentimes clients are unwilling to open up about their emotions. “It doesn’t have to be awkward,” Dorsey assures. Art therapy gives clients a chance to “let go of the negative” and leave behind their personal issues at the end of the session.

There are many tangible benefits to art therapy, including kinetic manipulation, exposure to different types of art, providing an opportunity for destressing, and giving a healthy outlet for young teens to express themselves. Dorsey concludes that art therapy particicularly is helpful for young teens because it alleviates the awkwardness of having to verbally articulate every negative feeling they might be working through. Rather, they can choose whether or not they want to talk about certain topics.

Dorsey became interested in therapy after an interesting career change amidst her Master program at FCC. “I originally was going to be a nurse” she admits, but after one professor at FCC suggested art therapy, Dorsey was immediately interested in making the switch. “I knew I wanted to help others,” she reflects, and she also enjoyed art, so art therapy was a perfect way to create that outlet for others to feel comfortable. Dorsey brought art therapy to THS in hopes to provide “variety” and a “different kind of outlet” for students.

Dorsey has seen great success in art therapy here at THS. Even the shyer students have the freedom of opening up or not. “If a kid is really in need, I’ll drop what I’m doing to help. I’m always around.” Even amidst the nonstop business of working the front desk, Dorsey finds ways to make herself available to her therapy clients if she can.

As for the future of art therapy at THS, Dorsey hopes to increase the number of clients by advertising through Ms. Honaker and/or counselors’ offices. Art therapy is clearly a useful service for many students, and presents a unique outlet for those hesitant to attend therapy. Anyone who has spoken to a a student who has taken Ms. Dorsey’s art therapy knows the positive impact it is making for the student body.

Thank you Ms. Dorsey, for all you do for our students!