Art Therapy
"You can just let out all your feelings"
"Art Therapy is like a journal where you can just let out all your feelings and they help you along the way"
- patient
Self expression is important in dealing with any major illness, especially a life-threatening disease like cancer. Children do not have adult capabilities to talk about their feelings, or experiences. Creating artwork is a familiar and safe way for children to express their innermost fears and concerns.
At Children’s Hospital, Art Therapy is an important therapeutic approach in cancer treatment. This therapy is key to helping children with life-threatening conditions express themselves through art which helps in coping with their fears, and progressing through treatment. Art Therapy makes their time in the hospital tolerable, lowers their anxiety and gives them a sense of control in the midst of a situation they can’t control. Looking after a child’s emotional well being is as important as the physical treatment they receive.
Art Therapists are trained to help.
In Art Therapy the relationship between the therapist and the children is important. The artwork created gives focus for discussion and self-evaluation. Pictures and other works of art help the therapist understand the children’s perceptions and feelings about what is happening to them. The art therapist interacts with warmth and empathy to develop the openness and trust necessary for therapeutic progress and positive change.
The medium is the message.
No matter what the season, images of rainbows, butterflies and spring flowers are consistent themes of children of all ages. These images are symbolic of hope, good luck and renewal.
"Art Therapy provides an important outlet for our patients to channel their emotions and feelings through art, which I feel plays an important part in their healing process" – Shayna Zelcer, Paediatric Hematologist / Oncologist, Children’s Hospital
Art Therapy consists of two stages
Stage One: Creative art activity
Children become absorbed in the activity and withdraw into themselves while they begin to self-reflect.
Stage Two: Discussion with the Art Therapist
The art therapist may ask the child how the artwork makes them feel, ho it reflects their feelings or ask them to tell a story about their work. This second stage is designed to explore the image and help the child make connections to their particular issue. each session is a confidential record documenting patterns of feelings, thoughts and behaviour.
345 Westminster Avenue, London, Ontario, Canada N6C 4V3Phone: (519) 432-8564 | Fax: (519) 432-5907
info@childhealth.ca