Art & Creative Expression During Cancer

So much of cancer treatment is focused on curing the patient physically, but what about healing the emotional, spiritual, and psychological effects that a cancer diagnosis has on them? When healing and curing meet, miracles are created! Today on Love Letters 2 Our Bodies, we welcome Lisa Simms Booth, executive director at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts to discuss art and creative expression during cancer and the transformative nature of these practices. In this conversation, Lisa tells us all about Smith Center’s philosophy about integrating creative expression into cancer treatment, how it differs from art therapy, how the perception of arts and healing is changing amongst the medical community, and so much more! We delve into some of the unique psychological, emotional, and spiritual benefits of creative expression during a cancer journey, as well as how it helps patients develop a sense of control, before discussing some of the most powerful creative modalities for cancer patients.  Thanks for tuning in! 

Key Points From This Episode:

•    A little bit about Lisa’s journey and what led her to be part of this movement. 

•    Smith Centre’s philosophy about integrating creative expression into the cancer cure. 

•    Lisa explains how arts and healing differ from art therapy.

•    Some unique benefits of creative expression during a cancer journey. 

•    How creative expression helps cancer patients reclaim agency. 

•    Some of the most effective creative modalities for cancer patients. 

•    Lisa shares some creative practices that can be done at home. 

•    How Smith Center adapts the arts programs for cancer patients through different stages.

•    What the research says about the impact of creative expression on cancer patients. 

•    How Lisa thinks arts and healing will evolve in the medical field over the next few years. 

•    Some of the upcoming initiatives that she’s particularly excited about. 

•    Lisa shares advice for healthcare providers who want to incorporate creative approaches. 

Quotes:

“We can think about the physical wellbeing – but what about people’s emotional, mental, [and] spiritual wellbeing? And if those parts of you are strong or in a good place, it will help you with the physical – recovery.” — Lisa Simms Booth [0:16:15]

“It’s so important that the medical community really understands the power that is there in this work.” — Lisa Simms Booth [0:20:19]

 “Cancer is also a very isolating and very lonely experience. And – organizations like ours that help people find community with others going through it [are] so important.” — Lisa Simms Booth [0:23:00]

“One thing that’s really important to us at Smith Center is [that] everyone is welcome and we really try to make sure that everyone knows that.” — Lisa Simms Booth [0:32:23]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Lisa Simms Booth on LinkedIn

Smith Center for Healing & the Arts
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc

Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
instagram.com/moyoinstitute