Healthcare Art Programs Support Art Therapy Objectives

Healthcare Art Programs Support Art Therapy Objectives

Children at Local Arts Festival, Rainforest Project, MosaicWondering if art therapy is truly providing value? Psychology Today recently published this list of research studies that suggest art therapy makes a difference in the healthcare setting. The article mentions several studies that demonstrate benefits such as decreased symptoms of distress, improved quality of life, enhanced perceptions of body image, reduction of pain perception, reduction of depression and fatigue levels, reduced anxiety, stimulated cognitive function and other health benefits.

As healthcare art consultants, Distinctive Art Source creates programs that support art therapy initiatives. While we are not art therapists, we work closely with hospitals to integrate art therapy into art programs. Oftentimes, the art programs can complement or feature the work being done by the art therapists and provide another avenue for sharing the art-making experience.

For example, at Children’s Hospital Central California a community art project enabled patients, visitors and community members to experience the benefits of art-making and contribute to a tile mosaic that is on permanent display in the hospital. While technically not a therapeutic art program, this example illustrates the possibilities for supporting art therapy programs in the creation of community art programs.