Art therapy is a mental health profession used to help individuals, families, and groups safely express emotions, gain insights, process trauma, decrease stress and anxiety, and increase self-confidence through the creative process. Art therapy is for people of all ages and artistic abilities. Art therapists are master’s-level clinicians who are trained in utilizing art making as a tool in the therapeutic process. While there may be components of art education in art therapy sessions, the focus is not on developing artistic abilities and skills. Art therapy focuses on art making for self-expression, emotional exploration, processing feelings related to the hospital experience, connecting with others, and engaging in positive coping.
Art therapy is prioritized based on doctor referral, but requests for a referral can be directed to any member of your child’s care team.
Art Therapy Goals
In the pediatric medical setting, art therapy can be used by patients and their families to:
- Promote self-expression surrounding feelings, thoughts and experiences related to illness, injury or hospitalization
- Build verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Provide opportunities for choice and control in all aspects of art making
- Develop and strengthen positive coping strategies
- Support pain management
- Facilitate exploration of identity and formation of self-esteem