Arts in Health Exhibit Shows Off Art by Service Members and More

Such an honor to have my artwork displayed in the annual Arts in Health Exhibit at work this year, among many amazing submissions by military and Walter Reed-affiliated people.

CIA Agent Uses Art Therapy to Heal from TBI

I read this interesting article about a CIA agent who received TBI treatment at the NICoE.  What I also found encouraging was that he noted art therapy to be one of the most helpful aspects of his treatment.

After 26 years with the CIA, I had silent wounds

Opinion by Marc Polymeropoulos

Updated 10:19 AM EDT, Tue March 16, 2021

"But what was most useful for me was the softer side of healing that is science based and proven to be effective in treating TBI.

A mask therapy program at the NICoE, in which TBI victims are encouraged by trained art therapists to express themselves by creating masks, helped me tremendously.

I put a great deal of thought and time into my mask -- a Superman-inspired one -- and wrote an accompanying poem. Both signified what my family thought of me for so long. A once invincible case officer on the tip of the spear for the US government, who served bravely and with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places I cannot name.

The mask was attached to a wooden plaque, with the background of the CIA seal cracked in half. It symbolized how I later had to fight some in the organization in order to obtain proper medical care. An ice pick is drilled through the mask as well, showing the headaches I still suffer from 24/7. Making this mask was a deeply cathartic experience for me, which -- along with talking to the resident chaplain and other talented mental health professionals -- has helped me begin to heal from the moral injury that I suffered. My kids recently sent me a text that stated "Dad, you are still our superman." I bawled like a baby."