Art Therapy Leaflet - Cancer Focus Northern Ireland

Cancer Focus Northern Irelandis your local cancer champion,here to help you and your familyif you have cancer. We’ll helpyour community take positivesteps to a healthier life, tolower your risk of cancer, andwe are determined to bring amore hopeful future by fundingground-breaking research.Printed June 2012Review date December 2013If you are worried about cancer please call ourInformation & Support Helpline: 0800 783 3339or email: helpline@cancerfocusni.orgCancer Focus Northern Ireland40-44 Eglantine AvenueBelfast BT9 6DXT: 028 9066 3281E: care@cancerfocusni.orgwww.cancerfocusni.orgOr visit us on Facebook and TwitterThe new name for theUlster Cancer FoundationFocus onArt Therapy

Expressyour feelingsOur Art Therapy service is available for anyoneaffected by cancer. It’s is not about having artisticability or creating great works of art, It’s simplyanother way of helping you express how you feelwhen words don’t come easily.Art Therapy can be an outlet for dealing with painfuland troubled feelings giving you the opportunity toexpress emotions such as fear, anxiety and stress.It also provides a time for relaxation whichcan lead to a greater sense of well-being.Some people who have used theArt Therapy Service share theirexperience with you:‘For the first time in monthsI felt liberated because thiswas something that I feltI had control over’‘The relaxed air of thesessions gave me freedomto express my stresses,fears and frustrations’‘Cancer attacks the body -the physical, but you alsohave to deal with youremotions and socialrelationships. Your entirelife changes - you haveto reinvent yourself.Art therapy helpedme do that’One to One SessionsThese are private sessions between you and the ArtTherapist that typically last for one hour. The numberof sessions will be agreed with you based on yourneeds. During the course you will work on specificgoals, objectives and personal development. Youmay also have issues that you feel more comfortabletalking about in a private one to one situation.Open StudioThis group is an open drop-in service that gives youthe opportunity to decide whether or not to attendif your energy levels are fluctuating as a result oftreatment. Friends, family, carers and cancer healthcare professionals are also welcome.ersroupCarers GroupThis group is for you if you are the carer of someonewith cancer and gives you the chance to share withothers living in the same circumstances.Art JournalingThis activity enables you to use amixture of art and writing to createand maintain a journal or diary ofyour experiences on your cancerjourney. This is a one day workshopwhich will give you the skills tocontinue your journal at home.How does it work?Research has shown that being creative can helpimprove physical and emotional well-being. Everyonehas a creative side, though it may never have beenformally recognised, and you need no experienceor skill in art to benefit from this service.Art Therapy can help you achieve:• Greater self-awareness• Increased coping skills• Lowered stress and anxiety• A feeling of empowerment• Improved emotional stabilityAnyone who has been affected by canceris welcome to try Art Therapy whetheryou, a family member or friend has hadthe disease.We provide Art Therapy in a number of waysand you can choose which suits you best:Closed GroupIf you want to commit to a course of sessions, thisis the group for you. The same members remainthroughout the course to give an opportunity forpeer support.Our Art Therapy Service is providedby experienced, registered arttherapists and is available at CancerFocus Northern Ireland and theInformation and Support Centre,Belfast City Hospital. Sessions arealso provided in venues acrossNorthern Ireland.If you would like further details about this serviceand how to access it, please contact us on028 9066 3281 or email care@cancerfocusni.orgEnquiries are welcome from any organisationinterested in using the service.