Dana-Farber Cancer Institute using new mobile imaging technique for patient, family, and staff therapeutic self-expression

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the EDI Institute are partnering to provide a new mobile imaging technique for cancer patients, family members, and staff to express their feelings around the illness. Expressive Digital Imagery (EDI) is used on a smartphone or tablet to provide a creative outlet for people to express complex feelings and emotions that words alone cannot.

Using a new and specialized app, program participants begin with ordinary photographs and easily transform them into expressive images that communicate meaningful aspects of their lives. At Dana-Farber, people can use their own mobile devices or borrow one. As part of the program, participants can print the images in books at no charge through special grant funds.

EDI pilots in multiple clinical settings have shown that therapeutic self-expression through digital imagery can play an important role in helping patients, family members, and clinical providers deal with illness and treatment.

“We are excited to offer EDI to our patients, family, and staff as it complements our ongoing efforts to help people face the challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment,” said Patricia Stahl, M.Ed, manager of Volunteer Programs and Services. “This innovative program uses therapeutic self-expression which has shown to be a very effective creative outlet and tool to help communication during serious illness,” she added.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the power of EDI to Dana-Farber and to those impacted by cancer, an illness that causes complex feelings that frequently are inaccessible through words alone,” added Steven Koppel, Founder of the EDI Institute. “Through this partnership, we look forward to integrating EDI into the fabric of special care that Dana-Farber provides.”