Creative arts therapy

Talking about cancer can be hard, especially for children, adolescents and young adults (CAYA). This age group is innately creative and expresses themselves, interacts and communicates through non-verbal and creative means, such as make-up, social media, fashion and music.

The Irish Cancer Society offers free creative arts therapy for children, adolescents and young adults during or after cancer treatment, as well as their siblings.

Creative arts therapy is the umbrella term used to describe art therapy, dance/movement therapy, dramatherapy and music therapy.

Creative arts therapies are the purposeful and planned use of creative processes with a qualified therapist to support child development, emotional expression, social interaction, physical improvements and cognitive goals. There is a wide body of research that supports the use of creative arts therapies for young people with cancer.

All creative art therapists are masters level qualified in their specific medium and are registered with the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT). 

All children, adolescents and young adults (0-24 years) during or after cancer treatment, as well as their siblings.

Sessions can take place:

• In-person or online.
• One-to-one or in a group.
• In your home, or nearby.

If you’re interested in availing of creative arts therapy support sessions for you or your child, please email [creativeartstherapy@irishcancer.ie] and a member of our team will be in touch.

Art therapy
Art therapy is used to help patients interpret, express and resolve their emotions and thoughts through the creative process of art. Patients work with an art therapist to explore their emotions, understand conflicts or feelings that are causing them distress, and use art to help them find resolutions to those issues.

Dance/movement therapy (DMT)
Movement is our first form of communication. Movement can be functional, communicative, developmental and expressive. DMT explores, within a therapeutic environment, our relationship with movement, our bodies, and our physical responses to stress, pain, low mood, etc. DMT is particularly effective in those seeking to improve their relationship and awareness of their body.

Dramatherapy
The intentional and systematic use of drama and theatre processes to achieve healthy psychological growth and change. Interventions can include games, puppets, masks, storytelling, fairy tales, roleplay, and sensory and imaginative play as a means of communication and expression. Dramatherapy can support playing or acting out and is particularly helpful when exploring challenging things from various points of view.

Music Therapy
The use of music-based activities for non-musical goals. Music therapy has been proven to:

• Support emotional regulation and expression
• Help with pain and fatigue management
• Encourage movement
• Help with cognition skills, communication and social interaction
• Reduce anxiety and low mood
• Help people to cope with change

Music therapists are trained to ensure the sessions are accessible and supportive for all ages and abilities.