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| Where can you find us? | E4-003, Paediatric Medical Day Unit |
| Who to contact with questions? | Michelle Wilband, Coordinator Michelle.Wilband@lhsc.on.ca Telephone: 519 685-8500 Extension 52097 |
| Who to contact when you are making a referral? | Art Therapy Telephone: 519 685-8500 Extension 52877 |
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What to Expect on Your Visit with Us
Our Program
The Art Therapy program uses art expression to offer children and youth an opportunity to gain a sense of control during their illness, medical treatment, and hospitalization and to express their feelings associated with these experiences. Art Therapy allows children and youth to express feelings too difficult to discuss and helps them clarify issues and concerns. Art making may also help them focus on something other then what brings them to hospital. It leaves the image which becomes a tangible product, a lasting mark.
Within Children’s Hospital, Art Therapy is offered to haematology/oncology patients, as well as paediatric medical day and paediatric ambulatory care patients. It is provided in a safe environment that encourages healthy coping skills, increased self esteem and confidence, stimulates imagination and creativity, and promotes the development of physical, emotional, and learning skills. Art Therapy can be an individual or group activity depending on the specific needs of children, youth and their families.
Our Team
Veronica Sweet, Art Therapist
Veronica.Sweet@lhsc.on.ca
Telephone: 519 685-8484 Extension 52818Todd Wharton, Art Therapist
Todd.Wharton@lhsc.on.ca
Telephone: 519 685-8484 Extension 52815Gill Yealland, Art Therapist
Gill.Yealland@lhsc.on.ca
Telephone: 519 685-8484 Extension 52819
What To Expect On Your Visit With Us
In the Paediatric Medical Day Unit, the Art Therapy room promotes an open art studio experience that can offer an expressive outlet, and the opportunity to assert control and thereby, reduce anxiety. The art therapist may introduce and lead an activity that may continue for several hours as individual children and youth move in and out of the room depending on the different aspects of their treatment visit. This can result in several mini sessions engaging in one or several projects using a variety of media. Art activity with others helps interaction, communication, and awareness of others. This group art activity helps children support one another and reduces their sense of isolation. In the Paediatric Inpatient Unit, Art Therapy is provided on an individual basis.
Individual Art Therapy sessions consist of two stages. The first stage is a period of creative art activity. During this quiet time, the child or youth becomes absorbed in the activity separating from and excluding others while he/she begins to self reflect. The second stage is a period of discussion focusing on the production of the artwork. At this time, the art therapist may ask how the artwork makes them feel, or how it reflects their feelings, or ask them to tell a story about the drawing. This second stage is designed to explore the image and help the individual make connections to their particular issue. Each session is a confidential record, showing patterns of feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. While the art therapist and the child or youth work together to understand the product of each session, this product must be seen as a reflection of the meaning for that person, through their own discovery.
