Art therapy for cancer patients – cooperation with Bonn University Hospital

The Center for Integrated Oncology at Bonn University Hospital (UKB) is expanding its treatment services for cancer patients to include art therapy. This is a cooperative project with the Research Institute for Artistic Therapies at Alanus University.

The free therapy for patients begins on 6 February 2020 and will be accompanied by scientific research. “Difficult life situations are often overwhelming and leave people speechless. Especially in cases of serious illness, many patients feel overwhelmed and experience fear, anger, or even despair,” says Harald Gruber, Professor of Art Therapy at Alanus University. Various recent studies show that art therapy can help patients cope better with the illness. With this new service, the Center for Integrated Oncology Bonn (CIO) at UKB offers patients an opportunity to become actively involved themselves and to find new ways of processing and expressing their experiences. “The creative approach to one’s own thoughts and feelings helps in coming to terms with the illness and regaining strength,” explains Michael Neumann from the Department of Integrated Oncology at UKB. The Bonn Donation Parliament and the Leukemia Initiative Bonn e. V. are supporting the project.

You do not need to know how to paint. “It is not about creating a beautiful picture, but about the person who wants to give their emotions space,” says supervising art therapist Maria Meixner, who completed her master’s degree in art therapy at Alanus University. In order to open up a broad experiential space, a wide variety of materials will be offered, enabling patients to pursue their personal preferences and, where appropriate, to use them at home as well.

Prof. Dr. Ingo Schmidt-Wolf (CIO), Prof. Dr. Harald Gruber, and Prof. Dr. Sabine Koch from Alanus University will scientifically evaluate the patients’ experiences. In this way, they aim to find out whether and to what extent the patients’ psychological burdens can be reduced. Art therapy at CIO Bonn can be started at any stage of the illness and, as a complementary method, can support the necessary therapies. Registration is possible at any time.

When: Thursdays 6:00–7:15 p.m.

Where: Bonn University Hospital (UKB)
Building 80, 1st floor/Room 088
Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn

Further information about the study is available at 0228/287-58678 or by email at CIO@ukbonn.de