Barts Cancer Centre | Our support services | Art therapy
Art therapy
Art psychotherapy is part of the Cancer Psychological Services Team at Barts Cancer Centre. Our team includes an art psychotherapist and clinical psychologists.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses visual art as another way of expressing thoughts and feelings. Art therapists acknowledge that some things are difficult to put into words. They are trained to enable patients to use art materials as an alternative way of communicating. As a form of non-verbal communication, art can complement verbal discussion for some people. For others, it offers an alternative when emotions or experiences are too difficult to talk about.
Art therapy is useful if you need emotional or psychological support, and want to explore difficulties around, for example, loss, low self-esteem, coping with change, depression, existential issues or body image. It is especially useful if you find it hard to talk about these issues. The therapy can help you to cope with emotional and psychological reactions to diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
Art therapists are registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and have to adhere to high standards of clinical practice.
Art therapy is available to all patients being treated at Barts Cancer Centre, whether they are staying on ward or being cared for in our day unit. You can refer yourself by contacting the art therapist directly or by asking a member of staff. Alternatively, doctors, nurses and other professionals such as social workers and occupational therapists can refer you for art therapy.
Often our art therapist will visit you on the ward and introduce herself. You can either take part while on the ward or in the art therapy room at Barts, depending on your mobility. The number of sessions you might have will depend on your personal needs and circumstances. Sessions generally last an hour and take place once or twice a week. Sometimes only a single session is possible and even one session can be very beneficial. If you are available for a longer course of therapy, the art therapist will generally offer an initial block of six sessions with a review and the opportunity to extend the therapeutic contract. Some patients have ongoing art therapy spanning months of treatment.
Art Psychotherapist: Megan Tjasink
Contact: 020 346 55516
Art therapy at Barts Hospital is provided through the generous support of the Corinne Burton Memorial Trust.
