Art Therapy in Palliative Care
Katherine integrates a person-centred approach to working with individuals with terminal illness and supporting their loved ones through their end-of-life journey. Art therapy interventions allow clients to safely explore life meaning, reminiscence, and legacy artwork to share with loved ones.
Art therapy in end-of-life care includes:
A strong therapeutic alliance which allows the safe exploration of clients’ deeper questioning and reflection of life experiences. [1]
Clients using creation and reflection processes of art making to build on their ability to cope with end-of-life transitions. [2]
Experimentation with a variety of art media to build on a sense of mastery and autonomy, which in turn assists in building a sense of ease in facing their death.
Addressing clients' suffering of psychological, physical, social, and spiritual pain within the experience of having a terminal illness.
Providing clients with support in developing artwork for loved ones. This provides an opportunity for them to create something for loved ones to cherish when they have passed away, to pass on wisdom, and to feel active within the life of their loved ones.
Art Therapy supporting Family & Loved Ones
Katherine facilitates individual and group art therapy sessions, working alongside individuals, families, and loved ones of all ages, in processing a loved one’s end of life.
These sessions allow family members and loved ones to:
· Commemorating relationship
· Reminiscence of pivotal moments
· Express sadness and frustration within their loss
· Create artwork & develop strategies to hold the memory of their loved one
· Use art as a resource to navigate feelings within their grieving process
Art therapy serves to remind them of the connection to their loved ones at the end of their life and explore the trajectory of what life will look like without their physical presence; providing an opportunity to hold their legacy within themselves.[3]
Legacy Projects
Katherine facilitates group art therapy sessions for the patient and loved one to create legacy projects. Legacy projects are collaborative artworks created with the patient and loved one.
Legacy Projects provide:
Loved ones and the client with the opportunity for healing, emotional repair, connection,
closure and strength to move onto the next steps of their lives.
Clients an opportunity to express their deepest thoughts and feelings, process changes, and create final memorable moments to authentically connect with one another.
Loved ones with artwork to cherish those who have died and symbolize their relationship. [4]