A map to get to life case study of a child with leukemia through art therapy

Abstract

A qualitative study was performed in which an Art therapy program with cognitive approach, was used on a child in the convalescent stage of Leukemia. The foregoing was aimed to minimize the emotional impact against cancer. The contents of intervention revolved around six themes: 1) cancer, 2) medical treatment, 3) hospitalization, 4) human body (following side effects), 5) self-concept and 6) death; the themes were allocated in three stages: a) awareness-psychoeducation b) symbolic path and c) closing. The outcomes of intervention show that creative activity arising during the art therapy process developed a creative process that allowed the resolution of emotional conflicts resulting from the disease. This could be done because of ventilation of emotions and experiences through the creative ways used, also because of cognitive learning of coping ways favorable to child cancer.