PROGRAMS/SERVICES | angelcduncan

With a background in counseling psychology, art therapy and clinical research in Alzheimer's disease, I have learned from those I serve that the bottom line is mental health matters. Despite those living with a memory and cognitive impairment, having creativity and meaning in life is essential. Presentations, training workshops and consultations are offered in unique ways that support diverse populations.

As a researcher, I can attest that many of us tend to get so focused on the disease that we lose sight of the person. Short-cuts get made and our time gets rushed. The need to slow down and take the opportunity to engage with patients/clients without losing sight of our ethics- is a part of good medical practice. Keeping scientific integrity in check. When medical residents, students and healthcare professionals are exposed to person-centered approaches, learning to better support these populations- a change in care empathy shifts.

To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art, study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else. ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Clinical/Cognitive Scales

Clinical/cognitive scale assessments:

CDR
ADAS-Cog
R-BANS
ADCS-ADL
ADCS-MCI-ADL-24
MoCA
MMSE
GAD
QOL-AD
ADCS-ADL/ADCS-MCI-24
FAQ
CGIC-MCI
NPI
C-SSRS
GDS
Stroop
Rud-Lite
DAD
EQ-5D
Proxy (EQ-5D-3L)
SIB
FCSRT
WMS IV
FCI-SF
DLM/DLA
APWB
ISLT/ISLR
D-KEFS-CFT
D-Inventory
ZBI
BNT
CDT & dCDT
TMT
CBB
DSST
FPS-R
Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
Winterlight Labs AI Voice Recognition Diagnostic Test

Arts in Mind

Arts in Mind is an art museum education and art therapy program designed for persons with living with young-onset and early stage Alzheimer's disease. Held virtually and/or in-person, participants reflect on selected artworks, learn about the artist and engage in meaningful discussions, with the opportunity to get creative in art therapy experientials. Neurology and psychiatry medical residents, pre-med students and other diverse majors in health professions are provided with the opportunity to learn how art impacts memory disorders. This specialized training was co-developed in 2019 between Angel Duncan, Jessica Sack and Rachel Thompson from the Yale University Art Gallery. Arts in Mind is additionally provided to children and adolescents with a parent (or guardian) living with young-onset AD. The program introduces them to art museum education and creative self-expression through art therapy as a means for coping and learning ways to engage with their family. This training is provided to art museums worldwide.

Bringing Art to Life

Bringing Art to Life (BATL) is an expressive arts therapy program designed for teaching hospitals, academic institutions, and persons living with dementia (ADRD) that was developed between Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN and Angel C. Duncan in 2010. This unique program is offered as an elective for diverse students majoring in health and medicine occupations that teaches them about neurocognitive impairments and the impact of the arts on brain health. Embodied Labs is a partnering company that provides the VR dementia experience for students to gain access into understanding what dementia may feel like. BATL collaborates with care facilities and students are partnered with a resident living with dementia and engage in art therapy sessions led by a credentialed art therapist. Dr. Potts teaches on neurological disease and personhood approaches while Angel teaches an introduction into AD and an introduction to art therapy for neurocognitive impairments. Arts in Mind at Yale has additionally partnered with BATL, bringing in the art museum element.

Facilitator Training

Training Sessions

Facilitator Training: "Train the Trainer" workshops are offered in relation to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias support groups, and in the Cognitive Dynamics expressive arts program. Teachings include: an in-depth overview of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, common challenges and behavioral symptoms in the disease process, and ways to address key concerns.

Art facilitator training workshops include art directives/techniques to match cognitive levels, communication strategies and PR events in community support .

Caregiver support group facilitator training workshops include: addressing common themes in caregiving issues, the caregiver life cycle, communication approaches, and resources/referrals in care management

Support group facilitator training workshops designed for persons living with MCI and ES include: addressing common concerns, communication approaches, brain health engagement techniques and resources.

Support group facilitator training workshops for grief, loss and transitions for persons who either placed a loved one, or lost a loved one includes: education to the grief cycle, coping methods and a focus and introduction to CBT and DBT therapies and how it applies to life transitions.

Keynote Speaker

Consultant

Keynote speaker in diverse settings for the general public, healthcare professionals, business and outside professionals, Grand Rounds, higher education, lay caregivers and other entities on topics related to Alzheimer's and related dementias, trends in clinical research trials, mental health, caregiver stress management, lifestyle factors that impact the body and mind, how and why creativity is essential in brain health, and expressive arts therapy approaches for quality living. *Travel, accommodations and speaker fees apply

Consultations include grant-writing for wellness program developments in dementia and mental health care. Secured grants have ranged from $10k to over a million. Consult in effective marketing strategies and brand campaigns for programming, research study recruitment, memory screenings, public clinical trials education and more. Travel, accommodations and speaker fees apply.

Speaker Topics

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease: Facts, Figures & Future Outlook

Differential Dementia Diagnosis: Defining Common Dementias

Lifestyles to a Better Brain: Reducing the Risk of Dementia

Mind Full or Mindful?: Rewiring the Brain in a Stress Induced Society

Burning the Candle at Both Ends: Taking Care of the Caregiver

Depression vs. Sadness: Exploring Emotional Differences

Misconceptions of a Lost Identity in Dementia Care: Consciousness Through Art

How Creativity Enriches Brain Health: Why the Arts Matter as We Age

Society & Ageism: Debunking the Myths on Aging and Living Life Creatively

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: The Four Modules in Mental Health and Practice

Why Diagnosing Matters: Advancements in PET Detection & Diagnosing

Some Testimonials

Angel is truly an amazing force throughout Southwest Florida. She is a dedicated neurosciences clinician who prides herself on the latest research and techniques that will benefit those afflicted with these types of debilitating diseases. Angel and I collaborated on a community awareness campaign during the theatre production of country music icon, Glen Campbell's, "I'll Be Me", a behind the scenes documentary of his struggles with Alzheimer's disease. Angel continues to be a voice of knowledge and comfort and a class A resource within the industry. ~ Christopher Caserta, MS, IMC, Vice President, Business Development at US Medical Management.

I had the pleasure of observing Angel's lectures in mental health and dementia education. Her warmth and compassion are evident, and anyone would benefit from hearing her and applying her message on living with empathy. ~ Tobey Allen, LMFT, ATR, Vitas Hospice

We were sorry Dr. Schaerf was not available to speak, but Angel Duncan was the PERFECT substitute. She was great! ~Agnes Livingston, Bonita Springs

Angel has a way of providing a scary and hard subject on dementia and somehow making it less awful. I left her presentation filled with a sense of hope and more informed than I got from our doctor! ~JB, Fort Myers Beach