Advantages of using origami in therapy
Goto Therapeutic Value
Goto What can be observed
Flexible & Convenient
- Can be practised any place, any time,
- Can be a form of non-verbal communication
- Can be carried out indoor or outdoor
- Paper is easily accessable
Attractive
- Colourful
- Non-threatening
- Affordable cost
- Least restrictive
Simple & safe
- Only paper is required
- No tools are needed
- Safe with clients with self harming behaviour
- Safe with clients with unpredictable or potentially aggressive behaviour.
Provide choices
- Different colours
- Different patterns
- Folds from simple to challenging
- Present as an observer or a participant
- Practise by self or with others
Origami sessions can provide psychological support, e.g.
- Conveys the feeling of acceptance when you take time to demonstrate or teach origami
- Promotes the feeling of being connected when the client realized self as part of a group
- Staff doing origami presents an approachable image because this activity can pause anytime for more urgent intervention
- Confirms the staff's availability as the client can choose the right time to voice his problem when he feels ready.
Origami sessions can encourage desirable behaviours, e.g.
- Use positive social interaction
- Use problem-solving approach
- Be patient
- Promote creativity
- To develop a hobby
- To involve in activity
- To share feelings and knowledge
Origami sessions can facilitate
- Learning experience
- Problem solving experience
- Communication experience
- Goal setting experience
- Opportunity for fun & relaxation
- Opportunity to receive feedback and positive reinforcement
Other possibilities in Origami sessions
- Used as a bridging therapy
- Used as an relaxation before other therapies
- Used as an non-threatening approach
- Used as an ice breaker
What can be observed -- during Origami sessions
Can evaulate motivation and interest, e.g.
- Only present as an observer
- Actually doing folds
- Handle/study samples
- Ask questions
- Make comments -- positive/negative
- Request to make something new
Can evaluate concentration, e.g.
- Length of time the patients stay in activity
- Promptings needed
Can assess ability or detect problems, e.g.
- Hand eye co-ordination
- Communication skill
- Hearing
- Vision
Can assess social skills, e.g.
- Degree of co-operation
- Willingness to teach others
- Helpfulness
- Behaviour when facing difficulty
- Enjoyed others company
Can assess degree of achievement, e.g.
- Accomplish tasks
- Partially completed
- Good effort
- Disinterested
- Increased in social interaction
- Client expressed appreciation
- Appeared more relaxed
- Appeared more patient
- Appeared more focused
Origami & Mental Health Therapy Web page
George Ho |