St George and Sutherland Hospitals have introduced a new initiative for the
benefit of post-treatment cancer patients.
The Creative Journey is a six-week group art therapy program – available to St
George and Sutherland Hospital patients – which starts on 1 February from
10.30am to 2pm at the Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery, Gymea.
Art psychotherapist and program facilitator Fiona Fitzpatrick said that art
therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps people to express and explore
personal issues through guided art-making exercises, such as drawing, painting,
collage and sculpture.
“Art therapy is based on the premise that our capacity to explore thoughts or
feelings in visual and creative ways can lead to greater personal understanding
and growth,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
“Through art making, participants often find new ways to express and transform
the difficult experience of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Tools of colour, shape and symbol offer patients a means of communication,
restoration and possibility. These are important ingredients on the road back to
good health and wellbeing,” she said.
Professor John Kearsley, Director of Radiation Oncology at St George Hospital
said that art therapy was an important process to help patients to draw meaning
from their experience with cancer.
“The Creative Journey helps post-treatment cancer patients increase
self-awareness and confidence, cope with symptoms and manage stress and anxiety
through an exploration of personal creativity.”
For further enquiries, please contact Fiona Fitzpatrick, on 0416 199 804. No art
experience is necessary.
MEDIA CONTACT: Area Media Liaison Officer
Maxine Brennan, 9113 2601, 0413 028 776
