> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Reference:: Fortuna, J. (2019). Promoting Healing with Therapeutic Use of Clay. _The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy_, _7_(3), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1646 > Date:: 2019 > Tags:: #warp #ceramics > WeftLinks:: [[Health value of craft]] > Claim:: [[Claim - Craft helps recovery from trauma]] > [!SUMMARY] Summary > Alice McCall Smith found working with clay enabled her to overcome depression. ### Highlights Alice McCall Smith, occupational therapist and artist based in North Carolina grew up on a hill sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands. She has used many of the skills learned on the farm in everyday life and in occupational therapy practice. After being diagnosed and treated for depression, Alice turned to sculpting to cope with challenging emotions. The therapeutic use of clay was a meaningful part of her healing process. >Alice believes there is something intrinsic in human beings that makes them want to create. “Clay became my path. Creating sculpture is a process, you focus in the moment, create, and move forward. Sculptures are a part of you, yet separate. They show you something about yourself which is new, a surprise. Therapeutic use of clay has changed my life.”