The Specialist Clinic offers children with cancer and their families, as well as youth cancer survivors outlets for them to express and handle their emotions, feelings and thoughts through various therapies including Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Animal-Assisted Therapy and Music Therapy

Play Therapy

Play is the language in which children communicate. Play Therapy is different from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. It builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them.

With the use of different mediums of play (art, sand tray, puppets, etc.), Play Therapy helps children explore their feelings, to express themselves and to make sense of their life experiences within a safe and nurturing relationship. 

Our PlayCove programme uses the therapeutic powers of sensory play to aid in the development of children’s emotional expression, understanding and regulation. The ability of sensory play to both soothe and stimulate the nervous system is key in treating the child’s nervous system reactivity to trauma and stress.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative process with different art materials within a supportive relationship with the therapist to help people communicate their thoughts and feelings, develop self-awareness and cope with stress. It is not about the creation of skilful artwork, but about finding one’s way of expressing fears and emotions in a safe environment, and making sense of one’s world in a constructive and positive way.

Through art-making processes at our Open Studio, beneficiaries make meaning of their shared experiences and emotions while providing support to each other.

Our Photovoice programme uses photography to give voice to youth survivors coping with long term effects of survivorship, as a way to create change and approach empowerment.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. It is a goal oriented, planned and structured therapeutic intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. 

AAT is designed to promote improvement in human, physical, social, emotional or cognitive function through the experience of the human-animal bond. 

Music Therapy

Music therapy is the use of musical interventions within a therapeutic relationship towards observable, functional, educational, rehabilitative or well-being outcomes by a credentialed professional.  

Through the use of interactive music making and other forms of musical interventions, music therapy facilitates opportunities for self-expression, pain and anxiety management, social interaction and reducing isolation, family/parent-child bonding and meaningful engagement.  

Music therapy focuses on the therapeutic relationship and identities, expressions and explorations that are accessed through music, rather than the aesthetic or entertainment value of music.