It’s well-known that art is a powerful form of expression.
However, perhaps fewer people know that it can also be used as a form of therapy – a creative medium to help meet psychotherapeutic goals.
At East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), Art Therapy is a way of connecting with children, young people and families, giving them a platform to express themselves by releasing thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Katherine Walters sees firsthand the difference it can make, in her role as Lead Arts Therapist at Milton.
“In the same way that using words is one way to express yourself, art-making or creating something is another,” she said.
“It’s led by the child or adult, so it’s not a case of someone like myself telling them what to do or asking questions, as such.
“Instead, we’ll always be guided by the person who’s having the therapy.
“They can use a variety of materials and there’s absolutely no judgement in terms of what’s produced.
“We’re not trying to teach someone how to do something and we try and avoid any kind of judgemental language.
“We might comment by saying something like ‘that’s an interesting colour’ or ‘I wonder what that means or what that represents’.
“However, it really isn’t about what’s being produced.
“We’re not working towards a product or a performance or trying to perfect a skill.
“For us, it’s all about the therapeutic aims and that could be related to anything.
“If someone just wanted to make a mess, it would be valuable and encouraged, as long as it’s helping them process feelings.”
Katherine says therapy aims are set out right at the beginning and reviewed regularly with the person receiving the therapy.
They might be connected to emotional or social communication needs, or some sort of difficulty that person is experiencing.
From there, it’s not about the artwork, as such – it’s about what it represents and tapping into nonverbal expression.
“The arts can be very much a shareable experience,” said Katherine.
“That’s why, along with their individual caseloads, our Arts Therapists also help to facilitate various groups and events for groups of families, usually during school holidays at the hospices.
“Everyone can have a voice that’s nonverbal, in the same space, at the same time.
“Sometimes, as humans, we can be quite wordy.
“We talk and reflect, but, for many people, that’s not their natural language. For many of us, it’s easier to express ourselves in a nonverbal setting, using a nonverbal medium.
“Various things can happen within a session, from experimenting with materials and textures, creating artwork, collage or pictures, to using artwork to help relax, so the individual feels more able to talk about their worries.”
Katherine joined EACH nearly five years ago, six months before the Covid pandemic.
She says it is incredible how things have changed in terms of offering Art and Music Therapy online – something that would have been unimaginable before.
“At the time, we were all busy writing new guidelines as it wasn’t something Arts Therapists generally did pre-Covid,” she said.
“Now there’s so much we can offer remotely, which is amazing.
“We’d never considered Art or Music Therapy online, but now there’s no limit in terms of what we can do and, crucially, we’ve seen the impact remote sessions can have.
“Some children and families want to come in and that’s their preferred place, where they feel the session would be particularly beneficial.
“For others, they might have totally different associations with the hospice and find it difficult to come back.
“They might prefer to be at home and find it easier, and more comfortable, expressing their feelings remotely.
“It’s very different and people have very strong opinions, but it’s no problem either way and we can make a plan accordingly.
“It’s so valuable when children and young people engage with the arts therapeutically.
“As mentioned, we have a few groups and events for families during the school holidays and these are an informal way to meet others in similar situations through the arts. They meet others and connect in a positive way.
“It’s incredibly satisfying and rewarding when we see what we do makes a difference.
“It’s something I’m very passionate about and feel the arts have so much to offer our children and families.
“Art Therapy is particularly powerful for expressing difficult feelings such as grief and loss and can make something very painful into something very meaningful for that person receiving the therapy.”
