Couples paint to healthier relationships

By Christina SteinerNovember 8, 2018

Paint and bond
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Couples discuss over sketching what they want to paint as part of "Paint It Up Date Night" hosted by the Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program Oct, 25, 2018, at the USO on Fort Sill, Okla. FAP staff leaders said they hope to host similar pai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Paint night
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Left, standing) Sarah Galloway, a military spouse, licensed counselor and art therapist, along with Rebekah Cochell (right, standing), military spouse and art instructor, show date-night couples how they can bond by painting. The date night develope... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla., Nov. 8, 2018 -- As part of Domestic Abuse Prevention Month, which occurred in October, employees of the Army Community Service's Family Advocacy Program (FAP) along with the United Service Organization (USO) on post co-sponsored its first "Paint It Up Date Night," Oct. 25.

They provided a spaghetti dinner, canvases, paints and other supplies. Unlike other paint sessions hosted by various organizations, this event was alcohol-free.

Donabel Cate, FAP employee and domestic violence victim advocate, created the idea. She said she hopes to do this several times throughout the year.

"As part of Domestic Abuse Prevention Month, we're focused on building healthy relationships, and this free date night offers a chance for couples to spend time with each other," Cate said. "It's all about prevention."

Diane Dixon, FAP employee, arrived here this summer from Germany, where she also worked with the domestic abuse program overseas.

"In Germany they were all about showing the signs of abuse, whereas at Fort Sill, the FAP is more about building healthy relationships. It's a bit of a different approach. We're looking at doing another one in April (2019) and possibly three times a year," Dixon said.

"We're looking at providing childcare for future events. We were unable to have it this time."

Sarah Galloway, licensed counselor and art therapist, provided the art instruction.

"We merge therapy through the art process to help work through things," Galloway said. "It's a project (couples) can do together, doing art while working on communication. It's a joint project. I've found that art is a good stress reliever and a good way to work though conflicts."

Rebekah Cochell, whose husband is serving as a chaplain on post, taught at the date night. She said she began her art journey by integrating art activities into chaplain activities.

"Art helps you think better," Cochell said. The art instructors initially had couples sketch out their ideas, the jointly create a painting to take home.

Dixon said the event filled fast. Around 18 people or nine couples attended. FAP coordinators capped the event at 36 people.

Kimika Lewis, overall FAP supervisor stated, "Army Community Service knows about the importance of healthy relationships, especially about the audience we serve, which is military," she said. "With this in mind, FQAP hosted an event that not only promoted this and provided an evening of fun. Couples were able to build trust and respect and work on all aspects of their relationships."

Related Links:

Family Advocacy Program key resource for domestic abuse victims