Art Therapy | Norton Cancer Institute

Art therapy is the creative process of art-making to improve and
enhance physical, mental and emotional well-being. During an art
therapy session, the patient is able to make a visual representation
of thoughts and feelings through writing, drawing, painting, crafts
or sculpture.

Studies have shown that art therapy benefits a patient’s emotional
and physical well-being by reducing stress, improving communication skills, helping to express feelings and increasing self-esteem and self-awareness.

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What is Art Therapy?
Elizabeth Eilers
Patient
“I was diagnosed with brain cancer, Glioblastoma, almost 2 years ago.”

Emily Johnson Welsh, MA, ATR-BC., LPAT, LPCC
Art Therapist, Norton Cancer Institute
“Art therapy at Norton Cancer Institute can help address the needs and the issues that are most important for our patients that are undergoing treatment.”

Elizabeth Eilers
Patient
“It was comforting and it's calming . If I'm really upset or something that helps.”

Emily Johnson Welsh, MA, ATR-BC. LPAT, LPCC
Art Therapist, Norton Cancer Institute
“We can use all sorts of creative materials and processes that can help them feel better and can help them reduce anxiety. It can help them find meaning and tell their story and express emotions. So it can help achieve many things through the art materials with that the art materials themselves could be anywhere from painting to clay or it could be a really traditional kind of 2D drawing or pastels or something like that or it could be really non-traditional.”

Crystal Brigman
Patient
“I learned crocheting and knitting through the program. We were in an Extended Stay for six months so she came in like every day and taught me lessons.”

Emily Johnson Welsh, MA, ATR-BC. LPAT, LPCC
Art Therapist, Norton Cancer Institute
It can be done in a group setting it can be done on an individual basis as well and it can also be done in small groups.”

Bonnie Griffith
Patient
“There’s just so many uses and benefits to this because you don't have to talk about cancer in here nobody does.”

Emily Johnson Welsh, MA, ATR-BC. LPAT, LPCC
Art Therapist, Norton Cancer Institute
“So with art therapy we’re able to really engage in the present moment with the art-making experience and we now know with all of our mindfulness based approaches and understanding that helps our brains and that helps our bodies be more healthy.”

Elizabeth Eilers
Patient
“It's nice to find and to meet other people like me and to find out you know the options that I have you know. I'm working on being less worried about things.”