HAMK University, Finland and the TTAP Method

HAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, HAMEENLINNA, FINLAND

This past May a week long Certification Course on the TTAP Method was given through the Continuing Education Department at HAMK University. The course is designed for working professionals in the fields of gerontology, specifically Art Therapists, Recreation Therapists, Nurses, Administrators and health care providers.

Collen Ryan, featured below, a Recreation Therapist who graduated St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2008 and has been utilizing the TTAP Method at Westchester Valhalla Medical Center with those in Skilled Nursing Care, and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, with adolescents. Colleen presenting a case study in which she sucessfully conducted the TTAP Method with individuals diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders.

The participants conducted experientials with sharing memories about berries which were handed out to each participant. This use of objects enhances detailed levels of communication while allowing each individual to learn an enormous amount of detailed information in a short span of time. Below are images of these conversations.

Below are artworks of the participants, after expereincing a guided imagery.

The filming and documentation through the Fulbright Scholarship

The TTAP Method receives second Fulbright Scholarship Award to create Certification Training.

Students at HAMK University are learning how the TTAP Method(c) affects the brain in a very direct way. By experiencing each of the nine steps through experientials, the students learn first hand what it means to give and receive therapeutic stimulation and person centered programming. Charts and graphs make learning about TTAP Method(c) steps, brain region, and learning styles easy.

Every day of in class learning is complemented with educational filming. Footage is obtained daily to be edited into a five part documentary that have now been edited and featured through LTV Television in Long Island, New York. Go to LTV.org for more information on schedule dates.

TTAP Method Internationally taught and researched

The TTAP Method is being taught at SEAMK University since 2008. The Chair of the Department of Gerontology Dr. Aila Vallejomedina, has been supervising graduate students research on the TTAP Method with well elderly, those in assited living and those diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Above are some views of one of the oldest scientific Universities in Finland. OXO.

TTAP Method Study at Cornell and St Thomas Aquinas College

I thought I would share some interesting photos from the Cornell University and Weil Medical College study, which was conducted in January through May 2009. View these "capturing" images from both my students who are learning the TTAP Method and the participants at Cornell "doing" the TTAP Method. Here are some of those images, notice the concentration and the "flow" as the participants explore the creative arts in painting and mask making.

This research study will be presented at the Gerontological Society Annual Conference in November, 2010. For more infomation go to geron.org.

Where the TTAP Method has been taught...

HAMK University of Applied Sciences: "HAMK University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary higher education institution in southern Finland. We have five degree programmes delivered completely in English and over 100 partner universities around the world. Our activities also include applied research and development projects."

University of Tampere : "The hallmark of the University is sound, diverse research and teaching focussed on society, its economy, administration and culture and on the health and welfare of individuals."

SEAMK University of Applied Sciences: "Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences offers a total of 20 bachelor level and 7 master level degree programmes in the [varying] fields of study"

(All of the above information on the various universities was taken directly from the online data base provided from the institution itself. Click on the hyperlinks provided to be redirected to the corresponding website.)

TTAP Method featured in the New York City Creative Arts Summit

This is another in a series of brief communications from our faculty, featuring their work, and the sessions they are preparing for the EXPRESSIVE THERAPIES SUMMIT. I hope you find them of interest, and will forward them to others.

Today's is from Linda Levine Madori, PhD, ATR-BC, LCAT. She is the author and primary researcher of the TTAP Method,™ which was was awarded New York State METRO Most Innovative Program of the Year in May, 2010. The TTAP Method, is a nine-step multimodal arts-based approach grounded in neuroscience, learning theories, and developmental psychology. It provides a theme-based structure for helping clients to move through meditation, music, drawing, painting, sculpture, poetry, movement, dance, and photography in their creative arts treatment.

According to Linda, "Seven international studies have thus far confirmed strong correlations between the TTAP Method and enhanced cognition and psychosocial wellbeing in well elderly, those in community day centers, and individuals diagnosed with mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease. In 2010, I established an international TTAP Method ™ certification training through St. Thomas Aquinas College and the University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland."

In her November 13 session at the Summit, Linda will discuss how different regions of the brain are stimulated by the TTAP Method. Come learn how this approach can help you assess, implement, plan, evaluate, and research the creative arts in therapy with any population.

To learn more about the Expressive Therapies Summit, visit
http://summit.expressivemedia.org