Research shows that both the process and the product of therapeutic creativity can help your physical and mental well-being during cancer treatment.

Using the arts for expressive, creative, and reflective purposes can reduce anxiety and stress, improve your mood and enhance the quality of life and treatment outcomes by addressing your physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is an integrative mental health support service that enriches the lives of individuals, families and communities through active art-making and applied psychological theory within a psychotherapeutic relationship (American Art Therapy Association, 2020).

How Does Art Therapy Work?

Our art therapy sessions are centered around the individual art-making process. They look different depending on each individual’s unique needs.

Using live art-making, meditative art appreciation, guided prompts, and verbal discussion, our art therapist can support you through all phases of your treatment and survivorship.

Evidence-based research in the field demonstrates how art therapy helps a person resolve problems, gain insight, improve coping skills, and enhance overall well-being.  

Art Therapy Services at Sylvester Include:

• One-on-one sessions: Our individualized art therapy sessions can positively impact emotional health, increase awareness of cognitive patterns, and help you to experience a sense of connection and accomplishment. Participants may choose to engage in painting with watercolor or acrylics, sculpting with clay, weaving with textiles, and other mediums, all geared towards healing and wellness.
  
  
• Group sessions: We facilitate group art therapy sessions online and in-person, holding a space for community, self-expression, and empathy. The sessions follow an open-studio approach, where participants can choose to paint, sculpt, write, chat, or simply witness the therapeutic process together.
  
  
• Writer-in-Residence program: This Writing Well is a collaborative program co-led by a published poet with expertise in literary arts, in collaboration with our art therapist. The Writer-in-Residence co-leads a series of generative writing for wellness workshops. Participants are provided with reading materials and writing prompts.

Can I Join the Art Therapy Program at Sylvester?

Sylvester’s Creative Arts therapy program is open to all, free of charge. And you don't need experience or any artistic skill to enjoy the benefits.

Our art therapist works with patients, survivors, and caregivers from all age groups and backgrounds, to provide support in a safe, non-judgmental space.

For questions about art therapy at Sylvester, please email Lindsey Weaver at lxw743@med.miami.edu.