My name is Cheryl and I am an Expressive Arts
Therapist at Children’sCancer Foundation (CCF)!
Art is in our daily lives and is a universal language
for self-expressionandcommunication.Someof us
choose to relaxwithcolouringbooks, somedance to
releasetensionandsomesimplyfind joy in listeningto
their favouritesongs.AsanExpressiveArtsTherapist,
I use art to help the children at CCF seekmeaning,
clarity and healing during their battlewith cancer.
What isExpressiveArts Therapy?
Expressivearts therapyadoptsan integratedapproach
in using a range of artsmodalities –music, dance/
movement, drama, visual art and poetry/creative
writing.It isatoolforpsychotherapytofacilitatechange,
healingandgrowth.Thetherapyisusedwithindividuals,
groups and communities in a variety of settings.
Expressive Arts Therapists use an intermodal
approach inshifting fromoneart form toanother
within a supportive, therapeutic encounter in
ourworkwithclients.Theprocessofart-making
allowsclients todiscoverhidden inner feelings,and
expressing them through thecreationofouter forms
in visual art, sound, movement, writing or drama.
Howdoes it help childrenwith cancer?
The stresses of their illness and hospital experience
can cause distress and anxiety to the patients.
Often, childrenmaynot understandor areunable to
verbalise thedifficult feelings, thoughtsandemotions
relating to their experience with cancer. As an
Expressive Arts Therapist, I use art to help the
childrenprocess theirworldandmanage theirscaryand
difficult emotions ina safeandnon-threateningway.
With expressive arts therapy, children are
able to express themselves without judgement
or criticism. The process engages all the
child’s senses – visual, kinaesthetic and
auditory, to promote holistic healing of the
body, mind and spirit. Through the use of
imagination and creativity in art-making,
children with cancer are able to explore and
envision new solutions and possibilities and
hope beyond their current limitations.
Expressive arts therapy at CCF’s Place for
Academic Learning andSupport (PALS)
Onceamonth, Iconductasession for thechildren
at PALS as part of the therapeutic group work
curriculum. Together, weexplore topics suchas
self-image,peerpressureandstressmanagement
through dance, music, visual arts and drama.
The therapy usually begins with a ‘check-in’.
For instance, students may be tasked to play
a musical instrument to express how they are
feeling physically or emotionally. Thereafter,
I will share the theme for the session and
students will explore it further using various
arts modalities. An example of a session
that educates students on coping with peer
pressuremaysee themusingbodymovements
to ‘push away’ or ‘block’ negativity, create their
own shields with a personal slogan and learn
todevelop their ownpositive coping strategies.
I am encouraged when the children enjoy
my sessions and eventually become more
comfortable with themselves. It makes me
happy tosee thembreakoutof theirprotective
shell, pluck up their courage to try new
experiences and recognise their achievements.
I hope that they will continue to adopt the skills
they have learnt duringmy sessions and apply
it positivelywhen they face new challenges.
For further enquiries or to schedule an
appointmentwithourExpressiveArtsTherapist,
pleasecontact your caseworker.
ADay in theshoesof an
ExpressiveArtsTherapist atCCF!
PROFILE
Name:
Cheryl
Profession:
Expressive
ArtsTherapist
TRIBUTE
NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 03/2016
CONTENT
1
ADay in the shoesof an
ExpressiveArtsTherapist
2
Siblingson aMission
3
Gameof Life
4
SurvivorsLearning
Project inHue
5
CCFYouthCamp -
OneStep at aTime
6
NewCCFMerchandise
PlayTherapy
7-8
GIROForm
9
Youth for Causes
10-11
PALS
12-14
Hospital Events
15-16
Social &Recreational
Activities
17-18
CommunityPartnerships
19
FeatureStory –
ThankYouVivoCity
20
Announcements
TOOURCHILDREN
