WHEN someone has suffered a loss or has a terminal illness, they can find it difficult to find the words to express how they are really feeling. Birmingham Hospice’s Art Therapist, Caron Smith, explains how getting in touch with a patient’s creative side can provide vital emotional and psychological support.
I work with both grown-ups and children who have bereavement, as well as adults with life-limiting illnesses. My clients use art materials as an alternative or additional means of communication, and through this process they can reflect and become more aware of their thoughts and feelings.
their emotions through creativity.
My day begins at 9am, when I check with reception to see if there has been any messages or cancellations about the day’s appointments. The first session starts at 9.30am so I ensure the room is prepared, making sure it is stocked with art materials and removing all unnecessary items of furniture based on the individual’s requirements. This morning, I meet with a client who has experienced a loss. Using the art materials helps a person to communicate powerful emotions symbolically within a safe space, which affirms their point of view and allows new perspectives to emerge.
My next port of call is the Living Well Centre at 10.40am, where patients venture out into the garden to collect a variety of found objects, such as leaves, flowers, sticks and feathers. Found objects can evoke feelings, emotions and memories from the past and everyone’s experiences are unique to them. The objects may be used to make an individual image or to prompt meaningful discussions in the group. Everyone has a different story to tell; it may reflect an emotion or memory that others can relate to, and this allows understanding and support to develop in the group.
After lunch, at 1pm I leave to visit a bereaved child at school. Working with young people who have lost a loved one, especially a parent, can have a devastating impact. Children may find it difficult to articulate their thoughts and feelings verbally; however, art therapy helps strong feelings and emotions to be explored in a symbolic way without the focus on the spoken word. It provides a creative space to explore and express a full range of emotions, both around the loss they have endured and any other difficulties they may be experiencing.
I return to the hospice at 2.45pm, which gives me just enough time to return my folder of papers and materials back to the art therapy room. My next appointment is at 3pm with a client who has a long-term illness. Working with people over time allows a safe and trusting relationship to develop. Through this relationship they can explore any difficulties, and we are able to work together, using metaphor and symbolism to be more accepting of any emotional challenges they encounter.
After my client has finished, I make sure the art therapy room is clean and tidy and then return to the Wellbeing Team’s office. The rest of my time is spent recording contact information, answering any queries which may have arisen, and getting in touch with new referrals and clients who require appointments.
Being an art therapist can be challenging but is also incredibly rewarding and every day is different. Everyone I meet has a unique story to tell and an experience to share, and I feel very privileged to be working alongside people in this way.
To learn more about the positive impact art therapy can have and the work that the hospice’s Wellbeing Team does, click here.
