Bill Peon has had a lifelong passion for woodwork. For as long as he can remember, he always had a woodshop and spent many hours tinkering on...
Celebrating creative arts therapies
Creative arts therapies: transforming our patients’ and residents’ experience and well-being
As front-line mental health practitioners working in the Veterans Centre, palliative care, the Odette Cancer Centre and mental health, Sunnybrook’s creative arts therapists combine artistic media with clinical expertise in order to help patients and residents achieve individual therapeutic goals.
Creative arts therapies at Sunnybrook is comprised of three professions: art therapy, horticultural therapy, and music therapy. All three professions are self-regulated with their own standards of practice and codes of ethics.
Through creative arts, these practitioners provide a forum for cultural, spiritual and emotional support for all persons across the lifespan. Creative arts therapists believe everyone has inherent creative potential and it isn’t necessary to have any previous artistic knowledge or skills to benefit from creative arts therapies intervention.
Below are five patient and resident stories, each one highlighting the impact and benefits of creative arts therapies.
Creative arts therapies: Michael’s story
Michael Boyer has always had a special relationship with nature and trees. A veteran of the Second World War, Michael served as a gunner in the 4th...
Creative arts therapies: Harry’s story
Four years ago, Harry Preston suffered a stroke that left him unable to care for himself. Today, at 96 he inspires others as an active participant...
Creative arts therapies: Carla Mae’s story
For six years, Carla Mae Pornel Matriano, 34, has been battling breast cancer. Now, a patient in the palliative care unit at Sunnybrook, art therapy...
Creative arts therapies: Lloyd’s story
Before being admitted to the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in 2014, Lloyd Bodie was living alone in an apartment, unable to cope with his changing...