This is an art piece titled “Trust Her” created by Ashley Kincaid for the host of The Unqualified Therapists.
Black and white thinking is a cognitive distortion.
Most people think within black, white and shades of grey, but therapists, doctors, social workers and those who work with individuals who have experienced trauma know that often times after that trauma, thinking turns to black and white.
“After trauma you no longer think in areas of grey. Things are suddenly all good or all bad. You view yourself in this way also,” said Ashley Kincaid, a graphic designer who is from Halifax County that has been promoting mental health for the past six years.
It’s part of her Type4Me project that began as a way to develop and promote her art, typography and hand lettering skills but progressed into something meaningful.
Kincaid has always had an interest in psychology, and studied towards a degree in psychology during her time at Radford.
She became involved in a local domestic violence and sexual prevention shelter in Winchester known as “The Laurel Center” and has volunteered with The Concern Hotline.
“Since starting the project back in 2015, I never knew where it would lead but I love that it is a combined study of all that interests me as my background in art, psychology and volunteering all contribute to it,” said Kincaid.
She researches people in the Instagram community and podcasters to find individuals who lean towards the topics of domestic violence, sexual assault prevention and mental health struggles.
Two of her most recent influential projects are called “Trust Her” and “Fleu-De-Lis.”
Trust Her was created for a host of The Unqualified Therapists Podcast.
The podcast showcases Amy Baumgardner and Sarah Simone, and one of their episodes features Baumgardner’s story, “A widow’s love story.”
During the episode, the host expresses that she and her husband often joked about having him tattoo “Trust Her” on his hand for when he was in a manic episode and was paranoid of everyone, similar to how Leonard in Memento uses tattoos as a memory source.
In the movie, Leonard suffers from short-term memory loss.
“Fleur-De-Lis” was created for the host of the Bipolar Bachelor Podcast.
It features a symbol that is “very significant to the New Orleans culture.”
The host of the podcast requested the symbol because it represents his city and “the light inside of him amidst the darkness and chaos that is bipolar disorder.”
While Kincaid’s artwork isn’t connected directly, it allows her to continue to make connections in the mental health community, and as she continues to make connections, more of her artwork becomes connected.
“Some are just people who appreciate my artistic style. Some are personal pieces, sharing parts of my life journey. Others have been presents for weddings, engagements, birthdays and baby showers. In today’s age it is so important to keep an ongoing stream of new, diverse and fresh content for your following,” said Kincaid.
The graphic designer likes to get to know her clients and likes to find something that’s near and dear to them.
Some give her artistic freedom, but all Type4Me projects include a technique called Zentangle, which Kincaid said is useful for those who have anxiety.
“It gives you a meditative experience,” she explained.
She’s almost reached 500 projects for the Type4Me project, and the support she receives from her online community gives her the motivation to keep going.
“I think it is so very important that we as a society have a better understanding of the struggles that trauma victims and those with mental illnesses face,” said Kincaid.
As long as the clients keep coming, Kincaid is sure that her work towards mental health will continue.
“An artist’s portfolio tells a story, I’m proud of what mine is telling,” she concluded.
If anyone would like to see her projects journey on Instagram, visit @type4me.
Contact Kincaid through Instragram or email akincaid13@su.edu.
