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Art Therapy as a Healing Tool for Sub-fertile Women

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Abstract

Although fertility is fundamental to spiritual health, it is often taken for granted. When a desired pregnancy fails to occur, stress and grief frequently follow. Visual expression of feelings through “art therapy” has proved a powerful healing tool for women brave enough to give it a try at the McMaster University Fertility Clinic. The objective and subjective findings of this ongoing project suggest that through simple visual self-expression, stress, anxiety and hopelessness may be reduced. This form of art therapy also provides a joyful social experience of sharing with other women, who are dealing with these issues.

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Acknowledgment

This work would not have been possible without the skill and passion of Alicia Mann da Silva, the group’s art therapist. Thanks also to the staff of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and in particular, Jacqueline Steudler and Dale Shepperd for their encouragement with this project.

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Correspondence to Edward G. Hughes.

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Endnotes

1 Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies. Proceed with Care. Baird, P. Final Report of The Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies. 1–659. 1993. Ottawa, Canada Communications Group.

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7 A. T. Beck et al., “Use of the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories for Primary Care With Medical Outpatients,” Assessment 4, no. 3 (1997): 211–219.

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9 Domar et al.

10 P. M. Sarrel and A. H. DeCherney, “Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Treatment of Couples With Secondary Infertlity,” Fertility and Sterility 43 (1985): 897–900.

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Hughes, E.G. Art Therapy as a Healing Tool for Sub-fertile Women. J Med Humanit 31, 27–36 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-009-9098-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10912-009-9098-0

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