Art Therapy Program at Children’s Hospital
What is Art Therapy?
Children often struggle to express their feelings and experiences verbally, and engaging in art-making allows them to tell their stories and make sense of their emotions from their own perspective.
Art Therapy combines creative expression with talk psychotherapy, providing children and adolescents a chance to regain a sense of control over their medical conditions. It serves as a valuable outlet for them to articulate their feelings about the challenges and disruptions they face in their lives.
When children feel powerless over their health issues, creating art empowers them to take charge in a meaningful way.
Through observing the child’s creative process and discussing the artwork afterwards, the art therapist supports the child in navigating their experiences and emotions.
Art Therapy at Children's Hospital
- The Art Therapy Program is a daytime run program
- Available to all medical and mental health specialty Clinics
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Support at the bedside
- Short and Long Term involvement
- Enhance clinical understanding of patient perspective to medical and mental health teams
- Unique psychotherapy approach utilizing art
- Provides a safe environment for emotional expression and therapeutic rapport
- Integrates Evidence Based psychological practices
- Accessible to all children and youth
- Honours Family Centered care, supporting all family members including siblings
- Individualized interventions
Benefits of Art Therapy
- Art therapy benefits children and adolescents with medical challenges.
- Helps identify stressors and manage anxiety.
- Provides a safe outlet for emotional expression without judgment.
- Develops coping strategies to reduce anxiety.
- Enhances communication skills for expressing feelings.
- Builds a sense of competence and control through creativity.
- Promotes self-advocacy in voicing needs and preferences.
- Offers peer support in group settings, reducing social isolation.
- Fosters a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.
More about the Art Therapy Program
- Focus on relevance and effectiveness
- Acknowledges unique challenges during medical treatments
- Empowers children and families through creativity and expression
- Encourages exploration of emotions through art
- Aids in processing experiences and fostering resilience
- Art therapists collaborate with the other medical teams
- Provides holistic care prioritizing emotional and psychological well-being
- Emphasizes balance with physical health
For more information about the Art Therapy Program, please contact:
- Email: art.therapy@lhsc.on.ca
- Telephone: 519-685-8500 Extension: 52818
