This wintry snow illustration was designed by Helena in a “Dessert and Draw” virtual evening group designed for cancer care teen patients and siblings, 13-years-old and older. The purpose of the Zoom sessions is to present a theme to participants once a month and bring together teen siblings, who may live anywhere in the country.
As part of the Child Life Department, art and music therapy at Seattle Children’s introduces different techniques to promote patients’ physical and mental health, either at patients’ bedside to assist in the art-making process or virtually in smaller groups and one-to-one sessions.
Through a variety of creative materials and techniques, which can include drawing, painting, clay and collage, patients learn about their relationship with art with support from art therapists to help them express themselves, process emotions and connect with loved ones from afar.
Seattle Children’s art therapist, Helena Hillinga Haas, leads many of these individual and virtual group sessions and explains how the process can help develop autonomy, strength and resilience for children and teenagers coping with symptoms, anxiety and traumatic experiences. Read full post »
