Medical Art Therapy for Children Free Essay Example, 2750 words

Medical art therapy is a special arm of art therapy used particularly with children in serious medical crises. Children who have to undergo diagnostic and therapeutic medical interventions also undergo severe psychological and emotional trauma. According to Favara-Scacco et al (2001) Medical AT addresses psychotherapeutically children's natural capacity to use the art for self-expression, conflict resolution, and emotional reparation. By respecting the ego functional defenses, medical AT allows children's psycho-emotional growth to continue . In September the authors piloted a study of using art therapy with hospitalized children and the parents. This project included medical play and a structured and free drawing for children who were scheduled for medical procedures especially lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations. The results were very positive. Art therapy provided strong support for these children. It was also seen how important it was to provide this kind of emotional support for the children as part of their preparation for facing serious medical procedures. The parents also benefitted tremendously from this form of therapy. The art therapist helped the parent to become more self-aware and to provide the parent with ways they can support the child. We will write a custom essay sample on Medical Art Therapy for Children or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page Henley explains that children with ADHD often suffer rejection by peers and so they withdraw into their own world where the computer becomes their main focus.