Medical Art Therapy with Children

Medical art therapy is defined as the use of drawings, art expression and imagery with individuals who are physically ill or disabled, or are undergoing aggressive medical treatment such as surgery or chemotherapy. Children in such situations may find it easier to express their emotions, and their fears, through art than through strictly verbal channels. Drawing pictures may be a less threatening form of communication: it also encourages the building of a trusting relationship with a clinician.

However, in order to use art therapy effectively with children, clinicians must have practical resources to help them understand the use of art expressions in treatment. Equally important is information on how to choose drawing tasks for particular goals and on how to help children express themselves through drawing. This collection of contributions, by some of the most eminent art therapists in the US, will provide just such a resource. Drawing on case material from a variety of situations, the book describes current research on medical art therapy with children, and practical approaches to using art activities with them. The writers examine art therapy with young patients suffering from burns, cancer, asthma and HIV. Medical Art Therapy with Children is a ground-breaking book, the first work to tackle this rapidly growing field. It will be an essential resource for professionals - psychologists, counsellors, play therapists and art therapists - working with physically ill children on a day-to-day basis.