Rachel Kent reached out to the Art Therapy Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital to help her cope after her treatment for cancer ended. “I was lost in this space of feeling like I wasn’t doing anything,” said Ms. Kent. “I struggled with returning to ‘normal life’ as a cancer survivor.” Without a creative background, Ms. Kent was skeptical at first. But now, after two years, art therapy plays an important role in Ms. Kent’s life. “It has given me an outlet to talk and creatively express my feelings,” said Ms. Kent. “When I find myself in tough spots, it helps to have an escape where I can be doing something that feels productive and creative.”
Art therapy is a counseling profession that uses the process of art making to help patients enhance their well-being physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Art therapists are trained in art techniques and mental health counseling and work in a variety of settings with people of all ages. “Studies have shown the process of creating art has therapeutic benefits and discussing art can facilitate self-expression and lead to greater insight about oneself,” said Elizabeth Ferguson, ATR-BC, LPC, Director of the Art therapy Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital. “The patient and art therapist work together to identify therapeutic goals and the best ways to achieve them.”
Smilow Cancer Hospital has been offering art therapy as part of the Palliative Care Program for nearly six years. Thanks to philanthropic support from Christine Moog and her husband Benoit Helluy, the program is available free of charge to patients. Individual or group sessions can be scheduled, and family members, children, and caregivers can also be included. “The best part is you don’t have to be an artist, or even like art to participate in and benefit from art therapy,” said Ms. Ferguson. “People are encouraged to try new things in a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere.”
Art created through the program has included collage, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and the list goes on. Recently, a group Ms. Ferguson facilitated challenged themselves to create art using something they would otherwise discard - literally creating beauty and meaning from something that was no longer wanted (old soda cans, gum wrappers, junk mail). The process also lends itself to working with metaphors and meaning which generalizes to life and dealing with cancer. “I have made several collages which I love. I have made numerous little booklets from scraps of paper, envelopes, etc.,” said Ms. Kent. “Some of the booklets I have filled with mini collages and notes while other booklets remain empty with the promise of something in the future.”
“Since art therapy does not rely on verbal communication alone, it enables a therapeutic rapport to develop with people who are unable or choose not to express their feelings in words, but who would benefit from having someone "bear witness" to their experience,” added Ms. Ferguson. “I am so honored by the patients who share their stories and experiences with me, not to mention their meaningful art.”
“Elizabeth is a phenomenal support and creates such a warm and welcoming space where you can tap into creativity while dealing with the emotions that this journey brings to the surface,” said Ms. Kent. “I have learned that the process of making something, even if it doesn't turn out the way I would have liked or takes longer than I expected, is just as important as finishing a project that I love. I've learned to be gentler with myself and that it's good to make space to experiment and see what happens.”
For more information about the Art Therapy Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital please call (203) 200-2725 or on the web: https://www.yalecancercenter.org/patient/specialty/palliative/atp/