Drawing on art to heal a heart
The Age
Saturday November 14, 2009
Art programs that provide specialist support to families with children who are dealing with dying and death are in place throughout Victoria's southern metropolitan region.The programs, called Creative Connections, involve music and art therapy and have been created by Calvary Health Care Bethlehem in Caulfield. The health group provides palliative and progressive neurological care for people with life-limiting illnesses and progressive neurological conditions.CHCB's chief music therapist and Creative Connectionsco-ordinator, Karen Bolger, says the team includes a registered music therapist, qualified art therapist, social worker and clinical psychologist. The programs are in response to research that indicates the wellbeing of the bereaved child is greatly affected by the wellbeing of the surviving parent."Often, parents are trying to balance caring for their children who are grieving while caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness, or dealing with their own grief process," Bolger says."The hardest part for families is knowing how, when and where to access bereavement support. It can also be hard to engage young people in 'therapy', which is why creative and fun modalities such as art and music therapy are so important for this group."Bolger says that working with families at this difficult time is an incredibly rewarding experience. "People often ask if the work is depressing or confronting but I explain how much of a privilege it is to be able to accompany people in such a poignant part of their lives."It certainly makes you value every precious moment you share with friends and family just that little bit more."As part of the program, children are guided to draw a picture of their family. "This can provide helpful insights into the child's understanding of the changes that have occurred in their family," Bolger says."For example, they might draw the family without the person who has died, or paint that person 'in heaven' or somewhere else."This provides the therapist with an opportunity to gently ask the child about their thoughts or feelings about their artwork, family and the person who has died."Music is similarly used as a method and a tool to express and explore emotions.Bolger says songwriting can also provide a framework for children and young people to talk about their experiences."Improvisation €“ unrehearsed and spontaneous musical composition €“ provides a unique way for children and young people to express different emotions by playing out their feelings," she says.CHCB also runs a number of targeted group programs aimed at enabling children and young people to meet others in similar situations.YVONNE NICOLASMore health jobs atmycareer.com.au/health.COPING WITH LOSSELIGIBILITY Creative Connections programs are available to all families with children under 18 in the southern metropolitan region who have experienced, or are preparing for, the death of a loved one. €śSome families may only require short-term support such as information about grief or how to access support programs,€ť Karen Bolger says. €śThose who are struggling to adjust to bereavement can continue to participate in regular individual therapy sessions for a number of months.€ťFUTURE NEEDS Calvary Health Care Bethlehem is keen to make people aware of these programs piloted with support from the Barr Family Foundation. €śOngoing development is continuing with further support from them [Barr Family Foundation] and the Williamson Foundation,€ť she says. €śOur future success is dependent on public support through subscription, fund-raising and government sponsorship.€ť To advance these programs, there is a need for further research into program options and applications through program evaluation, feedback and professional analysis.LINKwww.bethlehem.org.au.
© 2009 The Age
