Art for Healing at Hartford HealthCare
about the program
The Art for Healing (AFH) program is an Integrative Medicine service provided to the patients & caregivers of Hartford HealthCare. It designed to help individuals experience healing and wellness through creative expression.
Patient Artwork: Digital Watercolor
techniques
Techniques used in the AFH program include SoulCollage® (a trademarked collage process), Zentangle (a method of creating meditative art through structured patterns), expressive painting, digital art mediums, journaling meditations, and other therapeutic art forms focused around a multimodal approach. Participating in AFH has given individuals a sound resource to rely on as they navigate treatment and recovery.
Patient Artwork: Body Scan Meditation
benefits
During each session, patients & caregivers are given the opportunity to explore their own feelings, perceptions, and imaginations. Participants are encouraged to focus on the process of art making, rather than the final product; creating a tangible representation of their inner world.
The opportunity to document and asses physical and emotional changes over time helps individuals to discover personal insights and better understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Research has shown that creativity enhances the body and mind’s ability to work with any form of medical treatment. The benefits of utilizing art as part of a comprehensive healthcare plan include:
Relaxation and stress reduction
Improved communication with family members and healthcare providers
Reduced symptoms of physical pain and tension
Increased self-esteem
Social support and alleviation of loneliness
Heightened awareness of self and others
do what you love….
AFH consists of 14 passionate individuals, led by Lauren Ciborowski, BS, who has served as program coordinator for over four years. Lauren has been committed to the growth of the program and its demonstrations of the arts in healthcare since first onboarding as an intern in 2015. In addition to serving as the lead-facilitator for support groups and expressive arts workshops, Lauren oversees ten certified art teachers, a team of Artists-in-Residence, as well as the Music Facilitators and Creativity Coaches who make up AFH’s dual volunteer program.