A.R.T.C. brings healing and empowerment to substance abuse and mental health patients in Quincy

QUINCY — What happens when words aren’t enough to tell your story?

At Clarity Healthcare, healing begins where words end — with a paintbrush, a piece of music or even a karaoke machine. Clarity Healthcare’s A.R.T.C program helps bring a voice to youth and adults struggling
with mental health or substance abuse.

A.R.T.C. was started in 2003 by clinician Kasey Harlin during her early adolescent substance abuse treatment work in St. Charles, Mo. Harlin was looking for a new way to reach her clients who were not making progress with standard behavioral health interventions. She turned to the arts.

“I started with basic stuff like sketchbooks, crayons and a karaoke machine, because that’s what we had,” Harlin said. “I gave A.R.T.C. a name and created a curriculum because I wanted to access funding for better supplies. I felt like our clients deserved real materials and a richer experience.”

A.R.T.C. stands for “achieving resiliency, responsibility, and recovery through creativity.” Harlin emphasized A.R.T.C is about more than art. Each A.R.T.C activity is tied to a therapeutic purpose with every project connected to a clinical objective.

“A.R.T.C. is a client-driven, strengths-based intervention,” she said. “We want the client to choose the vehicle they drive through their experience with us. That might be art, music, poetry, gardening, dance or sports. It’s about speaking the client’s language and weaving that into their entire treatment process.” 

What began in adolescent substance abuse services has expanded across adult and adolescent service lines at Preferred Family Healthcare, Clarity Healthcare’s parent company, and Clarity Healthcare.

In 2015, A.R.T.C. arrived in Quincy and serves 30 clients in substance use disorder outpatient and inpatient programs, behavioral health services and Thriving Minds, a partnership with Quincy Public Schools and Clarity Healthcare.

“Treatment for substance use and mental health issues is hard, but it’s doesn’t have to be unbearable. Interventions like A.R.T.C. give clients a way to address that scary stuff in a less scary way,” Harlin said.

Quincy and the surrounding area will have a chance to see the program’s impact firsthand. Clarity Healthcare will host a public A.R.T.C. showcase at Clarity Healthcare’s 639 York St. clinic housed within the senior center in downtown Quincy from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 6. The event offers a chance for community members to learn more about recovery, resilience and the power of creative healing.

Alexis Covert participates in A.R.T.C as an outpatient client. Covert is one of thousands of clients who have participated in A.R.T.C throughout Missouri and Illinois since its founding.

“A.R.T.C. helps in expressing my pain and emotions and helped me bleed out the parts of my
past I couldn’t carry anymore,” Covert said.

While painting remains the most common creative outlet in Quincy, A.R.T.C remains flexible. Past projects have included mosaics, patchwork quilts, dream catchers, rock painting, stained glass and recovery-focused writing. Clients have also participated in collaborative group-art emphasizing community and belonging. Harling sees creative expression helping clients process trauma in ways language often can’t. 

“When you think about trauma, there’s not a lot of everyday language that truly expresses what it’s like to go through it,” Harlin said. “But art and music and metaphor are powerful enough to carry that message.” 

Harlin said she’s often struck by the level of insight and talent among the artists who participate in A.R.T.C. 

“Our clients are some of the most amazing, underestimated individuals I’ve met,” she said. “They are deeply insightful, and their creativity shows up in ways that surprise even them.” 

The A.R.T.C. program welcomes community support. Local artists, musicians and volunteers are
encouraged to share their talents or lead activities. 

“For me, it’s all about showing our clients and our community that there is so much more to our clients than the behaviors that brought them to us. Allowing them to shine in a way that allows them to see themselves in a positive light even though the things that brought to us may be dark,” Harlin said.

See A.R.T.C. in action Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6639 York St. in downtown Quincy from 5:30-7:30 p.m.