The healing power of art is well documented. It provides visibility to intangible concepts and emotions that are hard to put into words; facilitates healing communication; promotes stress relief and pain reduction; helps one express, process and purge emotions during times of crisis and joy; builds self-concept, self-awareness and self-understanding; develops coping skills and increased emotional stability; and allows one to redefine oneself as a creative person who's open to infinite possibilities.
Two art therapist positions at Aurora Health Care are fully funded by philanthropy. The therapists hold master’s degrees in art therapy and are licensed by the State of Wisconsin.
“The work they do to support our patients, their families and our teammates is significant,” explained Jamie Cairo, Director of Clinical Program Development – System Cancer Services. “Patients can get really overwhelmed. They don’t know how to process their feelings. Art therapy is a great way to tap into those things. Many times, patients will talk to art therapists about things they’re not comfortable sharing with anyone else.”
Having previous experience with art is not required.
“A lot of people are hesitant about trying art. They think they can’t do it. But our therapists work with them to find a medium they’re interested in and help them learn and create. They take pride in their work,” said Jamie. “Art helps with the psychosocial distress that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Patients may be anxious, depressed, nauseated or not sleeping well, and those can all negatively impact their treatment. Supportive services like art therapy make a huge difference.”
When Colleen Hebein was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma in 2020, she was very scared. The treatment she chose at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic – Kenosha was aggressive.
“Even though I had a nurse navigator and a cancer counselor supporting me, I didn’t know what to expect,” she shared. “I met Lori, an art therapist, during one of my first chemotherapy treatments. She asked if I’d like to do a project with her.”
Soon, Colleen was doing a different project at each treatment session.
“It gave me something to look forward to, and it was so much fun to try different things. Lori taught me how to paint,” said Colleen. “Creating art was therapeutic. I was able to express all the things I didn’t want to say out loud – like being depressed, afraid and anxious – through art. It kept my mind off what I was going through and the fact that I was stuck at the cancer center all day. Art was also something that gave me control when it felt like cancer was controlling my life. It meant the world to me.”
Art therapy was also interactive. Her mom accompanied her to appointments and got to participate.
“And nurses, techs and other patients would stop by to see what I was working on,” recalled Colleen. “We were all engaged. It gave us something to talk about and made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
Colleen has been cancer-free for three years now, and she’s grateful for the care she still receives at Aurora Health Care.
“I could not have asked for a better experience,” she said. “Art therapy brought joy during a bad situation. I still work on projects because I learned a lot, and I really enjoy it.”
How you can help
Art therapy and other cancer programs are supported by generous donors like you. Please make a gift today.