Art Therapy For Cancer
Promoting healing, creativity and community.
The role of art therapy in cancer care
Art therapy helps humanize the experience of having a cancer diagnosis and receiving the associated medical treatment. We provide patient centered care, and the opportunity for creative expression. We integrate emotional healing during and after treatment, and promote post-traumatic growth and resilience.
Art therapy can help:
- Lower stress, provide distraction and increase relaxation
- Decrease feelings of depression, anxiety and isolation
- Enhance coping skills, resilience and quality of life
- Engage the senses to improve the mind-body connection
- Promote empowerment and a sense of control
- Increase self-awareness, self-esteem and define and strengthens identity
- Enhance communication with family, friends and caregivers
- Address issues related to legacy, mortality, grief and loss.
Art therapy at Legacy
We offer three ways to participate in art therapy:
Classes and groups
- Weekly virtual groups for mindfulness and art making
- Weekly Virtual Open Art Studio
- Other group opportunities available throughout the year. Please check the current Cancer Healing Center schedule for dates and times.
Individual art therapy
- For Legacy patients and their families at any stage of cancer; pre- and post-surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and after treatment.
- Conducted via video, phone, or in-person.
Artist In Residence (AIR) program
- Gives Legacy cancer patients who have used the creative process as part of their healing a place to showcase their art. Displays are in the atrium on the lower level of Building 3 at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Contact us
For current class schedules, visit the Cancer Classes and Groups webpage.
For questions or more information, contact our Art Therapists:
- Margaret Hartsook ATR-BC, LPC, LCAT. 503-413-8404.
Locations: Good Samaritan; Salmon Creek.
- Blair Allen ATR, LPC Intern, LAT. 503-413-8418.
Locations: Good Samaritan; Mount Hood; Meridian Park.
