Art Therapy and Cancer Care

Acknowledgements
Foreward by Sir Michael Burton
List of Contributors

Introduction
On Death and Dying
Betwixt and Between: Crossing Thresholds
Body Image and the Construction of Identity
The Body and Embodiment: The senses in relation to the Cancer journey and the role of art therapy
Shoreline: The reality of working in cancer and palliative care
A woman with Breast Cancer in Art Therapy
Perseus’ Shield
The Efficacy of a Single Session
Connexions between creativity, individuation and the healing process: A case study with an adolescent cancer patient
The Healing Journey: A ten week group focusing on long t erm healing processes
Musing With Death
Group Art Therapy in an Oncology Department of a large general hospital
Creating through loss: How art therapists sustain their practice in palliative care
Art therapy in the Hospice: rewards and frustrations
A Don’t know story: Art therapy in an NHS Medical Oncology department
Art Therapist’s experience of Cancer

Inspired by the experience of art therapists who have pioneered work with people with cancer and including those who have experienced this devastating illness at first hand, this book acknowledges the outstanding work of the Corinne Burton Trust which has supported the development of art therapy services in hospices and clinics throughout the United Kingdom.

Narratives, case studies, new theoretical insights, and the inclusion of writing from Italy, France and the United States of America contribute to the strength and originality of the book. Therapeutic work is placed in its institutional context, demonstrating the importance for the art therapy service of being understood, supported and valued at managerial level – and how the lack of this can impact adversely on patient care. Moreover, many of the contributions have a sociological and anthropological nature, which gives the book a unique and challenging dimension.

Art Therapy and Cancer Care is key reading for art therapists, artists in health care and other health or social care professionals who are looking for approaches that will improve the quality of living for cancer patients, yet not shy away from the process of dying.

The contributors
Jacqui Balloqui, Maureen Bocking, Timothy Duesbury, Ken Evans, Cinzia Favara-Scacco, Barry Falk, Elizabeth Goll Lerner, David Hardy, Kathryn Horn Coneway, Paola Luzzatto, Caryl Sibbett, Elizabeth Stone Matho, Michele Wood, Diane Waller.