Lucia Capachhione Obituary, Death – My thoughts go out to Lucia Capachhione and the Power of the Other Hand as I remember them today with a lot of consideration and appreciation. Some of you who are old enough to remember that Lucia was the one who compiled a large number of groundbreaking innovations, ideas, and concepts in the field of journaling (both visual and written), way ahead of their time.
Quite some time before James Pennebaker, quite some time before we realized that “using the other hand” would be a brain-wise method to communication, and quite some time before parts work became a “thing.” Let’s just say that Lucia was already working on these concepts in the 1970s; that book on the left has been in our possession ever since 1981, when we were first starting out in the field of psychotherapy as an art and play therapist.
After a three-month struggle with depression and anxiety, our mother, Lucia Capacchione, took her own life on Monday, November 28. My sister, Celia, and me (Aleta), both have heavy hearts as we break the news to you, but we feel it is necessary to share it with you. In August of this year, Lucia asked for our assistance and made contact with us. She went on to describe her symptoms, indicating that she was unable to work due to brain fog, despair, and anxiety, and that she was suffering all of these conditions.
She was found to be in excellent physical condition after undergoing a battery of tests. Her family, her partner, and her friends were doing everything in their power to assist her in recovering from the mental health issue she was struggling with. We organized a broad and supportive community around her to provide assistance. We were helping her and concentrating on her healing process while we were working with her. She was agreeing to take advantage of our help and support. Everyone saw that she wasn’t acting like herself and that she required privacy, care, and some time to recuperate.
Late in the month of September, Lucia made an unsuccessful suicide attempt. She indicated that this was not a genuine endeavor but rather a plea for assistance. She was admitted to the hospital, but she was released after a short period of time. During her stay in the hospital, she was evaluated and given a diagnosis of “adjustment disorder,” which is an intense emotional reaction to a particular set of circumstances (this was not a long-term chronic issue). During the course of her recovery, we collaborated closely with a group of trained experts to provide assistance.