Art as healing
Art therapy has long been recognised as being beneficial in reducing symptom intensity for palliative care patients. Art can become the symbol or metaphor for what is difficult to name, and the process of creating can be liberating and emotionally healing.
In a 2020 Journal of Pain and Symptom Management study titled ‘Art Therapy in a Palliative Unit’, almost all the participants directly or indirectly involved in the creative art process considered it helpful. They reported a wide variety of sensory, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual experiences.
Many more respected studies have been made into the health benefits of art and it is now frequently available in health organisations around the world.
THRF Group- Palliative Care supports art therapy programs that have developed to help support the emotional wellbeing of clients and families in palliative care.
Art therapists are based at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Central Adelaide Palliative Care Service), Flinders Medical Centre (Southern Adelaide Palliative Services) and Modbury Hospital (Northern Adelaide Palliative Service).
To find out how these services can help you and your family, please contact your local palliative care service here.
