The Arts and Healing..

As an artist and retired counselor, I am very impressed at how far we are coming in recognizing the importance of creativity and the arts in our hospital treatment programs.

"This summer the first complete survey of the arts inside of U.S. hospitals was done by Americans for the Arts, the Society for Arts in Healthcare and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Cultural programs are increasing in number and quality as hospitals find that the arts "comfort, console and sustain" patients and improve in-hospital results." - Agnes Gund, President Emerita and Chairman of the International Council of the Museaum of Modern Art. (June 7, 2010/huffingtonpost.com)

 Creative interventions and actions are needed in healthcare ... in caring for patients... and in supporting and lifting up our peers, clients and all healthcare staff.

A great book that may be helpful for those of you who do not come from an art background is "The Creative Connection: Expressive Arts As Healing" by Natalie Rogers.
It is simple, straight-forward and helpful to the counselor.

Have a beautiful day ... remembering: "Today is .... The Gift."