Since before words were spoken, humanity relied on simple methods of communicating needs and emotions with alternative skills - the carvings on cave walls to tell a hunting story, for example, or the beating of drums to signify war.

As language developed to a more defined part of daily culture, these old ways faded into history books and museum tours.

Now, alterative therapies are resurrecting some of these ancient forms of expression by using music, art and even pets to coax stories, trigger emotions and promote healing among patients who fall silent to disease or trauma.

Art Therapy
Originally started as a profession in the 1940's after psychiatrists became interested in artwork created by patients with mental illness, art therapy has become a recognized and growing field within the mental health arena. Hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centers have been using art therapy programs in conjunction with traditional counseling protocols since the 1950's.

Locally, art programs abound in schools, museums and community centers, and in therapeutic settings such as assisted living facilities, child care settings, life coaching seminars and more.

Some are specifically designed to reach patients with measurable goals for treatment and healing. Other programs, by their very nature, seem to help “unlock” and “unblock” people who are stuck at a particular emotional point in their lives.

“I know for years, I could not do my art,” said Jody Carter of Melbourne, who owns Art Expressions Gallery - a framing and art gallery in downtown Eau Gallie.

“I was locked up and I felt isolated until I practically forced myself to start again.

“Art provided a kind of therapy for me. I was able to release a lot of tension and frustration through my painting and through the creative process,” she said.

And, Carter said, the process freed her from some debilitating panic attacks that seemed to dissipate almost as soon as her art sessions started back up again.

Carter recognized on her own what administrators in hospitals, clinics and after-school programs have known for decades - that art programs (and art therapy) - can help redirect aggression, promote healing and give a sense of accomplishment to people in confined and stressful situations.

The Florida Art Therapy Association boasts about 90 members, a small branch of the American Art Therapy Association's 4,500 member professional society. Members receive their certification through accredited college programs which combine therapy, art theory and practical work in a master's level program, said 2006/07 President Raquel Kirk-Farell.

In Florida, there is no regulatory oversight of the profession but mental health counselors must pass a rigid state certification before hanging a shingle.

Art Therapy programs currently are being used in a variety of local settings.

Continuing Care Communities like Buena Vida Estates in West Melbourne bring in artists to teach classes and help residents learn new skills - a vital component to keeping the mind nimble as it ages.

These types of programs also are being studied to determine how they might help boost memory and communicative skills in dementia patients, who have responded strongly to art, pet and music therapy programs.

Pet Therapy
Another promising alternative therapy is Animal Assisted Therapy, also called Pet Therapy, where animal handlers take pets to a variety of care locations for on-site visits.

One local not-for-profit organization, Space Coast Therapy Dogs, has been active in Brevard for 15 years, according to President Joan Anderson.

“Pet therapy is useful in helping patients cope with a variety of ailments, including cancer, dementia and anxiety disorders,” she said.

Space Coast Therapy Dogs logs about 2,000 hours of volunteer visits with their 50 or so human owners each year at a host of local venues including adult day care centers, hospice locations, the Cancer Care Centers, Parrish Medical Center Children's Center, My Refuge Children's Shelter and Wuesthoff Progressive Care, among others.

Dogs and handlers are trained, tested and approved to volunteer based on strict specifications from the national governing organization, Therapy Dogs, Inc.

“It's miraculous to see what happens when we come into a room with our [trained] dogs,” Anderson said.

“Pet interaction helps reduce blood pressure, gives a sense of joy and relief and may trigger feel-good endorphins,” Anderson said.

Research backs this up, with numerous studies reporting that animals can provide emotional, social and physical benefits to patients (and staff, as an added benefit).

Music Therapy
Music therapy can soothe, calm and help lower blood pressure, said Natalie Sellers of Parrish Medical Center, which “began offering live music in our atrium since unveiling its new facility in Titusville in 2002.”

Parrish Medical Center integrated many evidence-based healing therapies, including art, massage, aroma, humor, pet and music programs to create a holistic healing environment at this facility, she said.

Like other local hospitals, Parrish began offering music to patients and staff long before moving into the new location.

“When we don't have live music, there is always recorded music playing overhead,” Sellers said.

Members of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra (BSO) have been providing music to patients at Parrish for two years, said Mary Nelson Daughtery, Marketing Director for the BSO.

Assistant Principal Cello player Thomas Silliman said that in addition to his regular visits to Parrish, he occasionally also plays at nursing homes, and once a month at Health First/Holmes Regional Hospital in Melbourne and Wuesthoff Hospital in Melbourne through a program sponsored by his church.

Silliman said the rewards of being able to provide this service are evident.

“The audience is always very appreciative. It pleases me that patients and family tell me how much they enjoy the music.”