Art as therapy for our patients
A THERAPIST, listener and facilitator is how one East Cheshire Hospice member of staff describes her role.
Fay Mitchell, the art psychotherapist at East Cheshire Hospice, has worked at the Sunflower day care centre for 16 years and says her work is hugely rewarding.
“Art therapy is about a lot more than painting, although that’s a crucial part of it,” she said.
“We give people the help and support they need at a difficult time in their lives, and we hope that we do this in a positive and strengthening way.
“Art therapy is one of the ways we help people deal with the emotional trauma which can be triggered, or made worse, by their physical illness.”
Developed into a distinct discipline in the 1940s, art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art as a way to communicate.
It allows people to use art materials for self expression and reflection.
“Everyone can benefit from art therapy”, said Fay, “But it’s especially helpful for people experiencing trauma. Young people especially find it helpful when trying to deal with the additional stresses of everyday life, like work and young families.
“It can be really hard trying to carry on as normal if your future hangs in the balance.”
Sessions at the Sunflower Centre are weekly and last for an hour, during which time Faye will work with people on a one-to-one basis.
“It’s really important to gain an individual’s trust and to let them decide exactly how they want to use their time. Some people just want to sit and paint quietly, others will use the opportunity to talk and share.
“Every patient is different but the purpose of every session is the same – to allow the individual the time and space to express themselves in a safe environment, using art instead of spoken words.
“The simplest of pictures can reveal the most complex of stories, and it’s my role to help people understand and deal with their anxieties and fears.
“Art allows us to begin a dialogue, which is vitally important for anyone’s emotional wellbeing and mental health,” said Fay.