Art Therapy with Physical Conditions

As the emotional components of physical illnesses become more recognised, there is a renewed interest in the potential of art therapy to help patients come to terms with injury, pain, and terminal and life-long conditions. A wide range of experienced art therapists describe their work and its benefits to a variety of groups including those with cancer, debilitating conditions such as myalgic encephalopathy (M.E.) and ulcerative colitis. Physical conditions in combination with other factors such as homelessness or learning disabilities, and children with life-long and chronic conditions are also covered.

The book includes discussion of spiritual and philosophical issues when mortality is faced, life change and adjustment issues, practical considerations, and which models of practice art therapists find most helpful with various groups. This will be essential reading for arts therapists and students, as well as for professionals with an interest in psychological issues and wellbeing for patients with physical illness or long term conditions, such as psychotherapists and counsellors, complementary therapists, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jackie Ashley.

Preface.

Introduction. Marian Liebmann, Central Recovery Team, Bristol and Penny Brohn Cancer Care and Sally Weston, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.

ADULTS.

Part I. Setting the Scene.

1. Does Your Body Mind? Does Your Mind Matter? Art Psychotherapy and the Complexity of Interactions Between Mind and Body. Malcolm Learmonth, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Insider Art with Karen Huckvale, Long Fox Unit, Weston Super Mare and University of Exeter, 'Isabel' and 'Rachel'.

Part II. Cancer.

2. Short-term Art Therapy Groups for People with Cancer. Jo Beedell, The Rainbow Centre, City of Bath College and Penny Brohn Cancer Care and Marian Liebmann, Central Recovery Team, Bristol and Penny Brohn Cancer Care.
3. Absences in Images: What Those Affected by Life-limiting Illness Leave Out of Their Pictures. Jaini Hadley, Freelance.
4. Art Therapy, Cancer and the Recalibration of Identity. Michele Wood, University of Roehampton.

Part III. Debilitating Conditions.

5. Completing the Picture: Art Therapy with a Client with Myalgic Encephalopathy (M.E.). Simon Richardson, Private Practice and Community Arts.
6. Anthroposophic Art Therapy with a Patient Suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. Don Ratcliffe, European Academy of Anthroposophic Art Therapy Trainings and Private Practice.

Part IV. Physical Conditions and Other Conditions.

7. Art Therapy, Health and Homelessness. Julie Jackson, Trauma and Homelessness Team, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
8. Life, Loss and Labels: Art Therapy with Clients with Learning Disabilities and Terminal Physical Illness. Nicki Power, Lancashire Care Foundation Trust with Alison Hawtin, Cambridgeshire Adult Learning Disability Partnership.
9. Trapped Bodies, Open Minds: A Multicultural Art Therapy Group for Mental Health Service Users with Physical Health Problems. Cherry Lawrence, North East London Foundation Trust and Kayleigh Orr, Keech Hospice Care, Luton and West London Mental Health NHS Trust.

CHILDREN.

10. War Zones: Art Therapy with a 12 Year Old Boy with Crohn's Disease. Michael Fischer, Art Therapist in Northumberland Tyne and Wear Community Children and Young People's Service.
11. 'Will Some of Me Fall Out?' A Diabetic Boy's Creation of a Psychological Skin through Art Therapy. Jo Clifton, Learning Disability Directorate, Aneurin Bevan Univ Health Board, Gwent, South Wales, and Community Mental Health Team, Weston-super-Mare.
12. Intimations of Mortality: Art Therapy with Children and Young People with Chronic or Life-limiting Illnesses. Jo Bissonnet, Freelance Supervisor and Unthank Family Centre Social Enterprise, Norfolk.
13. The Power of the Image in Memory-making with Life-limited Children. Carole Simpson, East Anglian Children's Hospice Services, Cambridgeshire.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS.

14. Psyche and Soma: Reflections of a Whole Person. Sarah Lewis, Retired NHS.

Glossary.

Author Biographies.

Index.