“Art on Behalf”: Introducing an accessible art therapy approach used in palliative care

Publication date: Available online 28 November 2019Source: The Arts in PsychotherapyAuthor(s): Claire Ganzon, Clare O’Callaghan, Justin DwyerAbstractThere are multiple barriers to art therapy engagement in the palliative care setting, including fatigue from treatment, the intrusive nature of the inpatient hospital environment, and the huge variation in patient outcomes. This paper describes a response to these challenges with “Art on Behalf”, a new art therapy approach in which the art therapist makes art on behalf of the patient. The patient conceptualizes the image while the art therapist produces the painting. Art-making becomes invitational, rather than obligatory, in case the patient feels inspired to make art later on. Case study methodology is used to describe three cases that illustrate the psychotherapeutic aspects of the Art on Behalf approach that offered meaningful art therapy engagement within the many restrictions of the palliative care environment.
Source: Arts in Psychotherapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research