What is Art Therapy?

At Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, patients are able to express their thoughts and feelings through individualized art therapy sessions. Art therapy interventions facilitate the creation of art throughout a traditional talk therapy session. The art making process initiated in a session provides an opportunity for control where patients have little or no control over their hospital admission.

Children may not have the words to communicate their thoughts and feelings, art making can support them in discovering the words to describe their personal and medical experiences. Creative therapeutic expression can promote independence, relaxation response, control and positive self-esteem. No previous experience with art is necessary to benefit from this service.

Who are Art Therapists?

Our Art Therapists are Master Level, Registered and/or Board Certified professionals who are trained in human development, psychological theory, counselling skills and clinical practice. Art therapists may utilize specific art directives to assess a patient’s mental health, facilitate opportunities for control, relaxation and self-expression, while continually incorporating evidence based research to enhance our patient’s quality of life. Art Therapy is currently offered on a referral basis in all Acute Care Patient Units (PCU 200, 300, 400) as well as in the Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation units (PCU 160).

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