Felt as Art & Therapy

7/9/2012 (Updated 6:53:07 PM)

(Source: Jason Weinstein)

"This repetitive poking, this chit, chit, chit, chit sound. It's so simple and it's so primal and it's so basic. And it connects with your breath and connects with your pulse and it helps to just calm you down in that moment," said Angelina Blasich, founder of the Felt Your Therapy Program.

Blasich is a social worker who splits her time between serving clients in Ithaca and Vestal. And she's discovered a novel way to help patients work through traumatic events - creating art from felt.

"It's taking that one specific moment and placing it somewhere. Pinpointing these moments and pinpointing those experiences and then being able to leave them," said Blasich.

Blasich just earned a $750 grant from the Community Foundation for South Central New York to offer her work to others in the area. She is planning to help flood victims in the Southern Tier - as well as those who have suffered physical abuse or sexual trauma.

"I think people need to tell their story. And for a lot of people speaking their story out loud can be re-traumatizing. It can be really difficult to say the words and have to go through it again," said Blasich.

Blasich is also working with soldiers returning from war and people released from prison learn physical and emotional independence.

"And turning into this creative process that helps create this firmer, stronger fiber. That helps to create something that can stand on it's own," said Blasich.

If you're interested in felt therapy, you can email Angelina Blasich at ablasich@aol.com.

****In Vestal, Jason Weinstein, FOX 40 News.****