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We are taking thoughtful steps to ensure our spaces remain safe for patients, parents and caregivers. View safety measures, mask policy and visiting guidelines.

Estamos adoptando medidas reflexivas para garantizar que nuestros espacios sigan siendo seguros para los pacientes, los padres y los cuidadores. Vea las medidas de seguridad, la política de uso de mascarillas y las directrices de visitas.

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Riley Children's Health

Art Therapy

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Art is a natural form of expression for all ages. Art therapists at Riley at IU Health provide mental health counseling through expressive experiences that promote emotional health and physical healing.

Sometimes, words are not enough, and art can become a vehicle to express one’s feelings. The Art Therapy Program at Riley at IU Health helps individuals, both patients and caregivers, process the most challenging circumstances and emotions. Due to current staffing, Riley Art Therapy is only able to offer services to patients and caregivers currently inpatient at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

By exploring their natural capacity for artmaking, individuals can enhance their own mental, physical, and emotional wellness. Art therapists use the creative process to:

  • Process physical and emotional healing
  • Express feelings about illness, medical treatment, or traumatic experiences
  • Provide a sense of control and mastery
  • Provide grief and bereavement counseling
  • Reduce anxiety and depression while building resiliency
  • Foster self-awareness and increase self-esteem
  • Increase positive coping and problem-solving skills
  • Enhance the overall quality of life

    The Art Therapy Program at Riley at IU Health offers services through master-level mental health professionals. These therapists incorporate artmaking in therapeutic relationships. Art Therapists are educated in both art and psychology and specially trained to use artmaking as a form of therapy to treat anxiety, depression, and psychosocial and emotional difficulties related to illness, trauma, and loss.

    The art therapy program is 100% funded by generous contributions from the community through the Riley Children's Foundation. This allows patients and caregivers to benefit from art therapy at no cost.

    Requesting Art Therapy

    If you feel like you or your child could benefit from art therapy services while hospitalized please request your child's care team to put in an order for art therapy. Our team usually accommodates most consults within 2 business days, so we ask that your child's length of stay be longer than 3 days. If you have additional questions you are encouraged to email us at rileyarttherapy@iuhealth.org.

    Related Resources

    Related Resources

    American Art Therapy Association. This organization for art therapy professionals publishes a fact sheet that explains how art therapy can enhance health and wellness.

    Related Educational Opportunities

    Related Educational Opportunities

    The Art Therapy Program at Riley at IU Health currently offers internships only for second and third-year art therapy graduate students. Shadowing opportunities are not available, however, if you have any questions regarding the Art Therapy Program at Riley please email us at rileyarttherapy@iuhealth.org.

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    Designated as Best Children's Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in 10 Specialties in 2020-21

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