Since 1987, the Creative Arts Program has worked to promote the family-centered care philosophy of Rainbow. Both art therapy and music therapy reinforce the value of family interaction, and support the health needs of the child's mind and body.
The Creative Arts Program is one of the many unique services of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. This special program compliments Rainbow's renowned pediatrics medical care by supporting the physical and emotional needs of patients at Rainbow.
What We Do
The Creative Arts Program has been designed to:
- Increase patient stimulation.
- Provide age-appropriate activities.
- Offer choices.
- Enable patients to express their feelings.
- Provide therapeutic and diversional activities.
- Improve self-esteem and self-image.
- Provide positive experiences -- and FUN!
- Support the treatment team.
- Support family-centered care.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy is an allied health profession that uses art to help people understand themselves while making positive changes in their behavior. Through art media, the art therapist helps patients experience the creative process as a healing process, as art becomes a way of communicating and expressing feelings.
The role of the art therapist at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital is to address the physical and emotional needs of pediatric patients through a variety of educational and healing art experiences. These activities help children develop, provide opportunities for them to explore problems and potentials, reaffirm their self-image, and, in more basic terms, let them have fun. Rainbow's art therapist provides group sessions, individualized bedside sessions, and Rainbow Channel TV programming that enables patients, family and staff alike to experience the expressive and therapeutic qualities of the visual arts.
Music Therapy
For children, hospitalization can disrupt normal living patterns, school and important social activities. The Music Therapy Program at Rainbow minimizes this disruption by providing sensitive, creative interventions--including the playing of instruments and the writing of songs. These interventions also offer acute and chronically ill children the chance to learn, express themselves, interact with family and peers and, simply, relax and enjoy themselves. Even parents and siblings can join the fun... and experience the benefits. Music therapy interventions take place individually, during group sessions, and during Rainbow Channel TV programming.
The power of music is documented: Studies have shown that music can influence heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, pain perception, physical health and well-being. At Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, music therapy helps children and families discover new ways to effectively cope--both physically and emotionally--with hospitalization.
For more information, please contact the Creative Arts Department: 216-844-4973.