Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Expressive Arts Therapy at the Zakim Center

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    Contact the Zakim Center

    617-632-3322
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    Experiencing or creating art — whether visual, musical, written, or movement-based — can help patients feel more relaxed, support pain management, improve sleep, and build valuable coping skills. Our expressive arts therapists can tailor offerings to meet each individual patient's treatment goals.

    Patient Consults 

    Our expressive arts therapy team uses creative practices as a clinical tool to support cancer care. Evidence shows that expressive arts therapies can improve quality of life regardless of treatment status or disease progression.

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    Our patient consults combine conversation with evidence-informed expressive arts practices to support emotional well-being. During a virtual consult, an expressive arts therapist will work with you to explore accessible approaches that fit your interests and needs. Mindfulness and meditation practices may also be included when they feel helpful and supportive.

    No prior arts experience is needed. These free individual consults are available to patients receiving care at any Dana-Farber location. In keeping with Dana-Farber telehealth guidelines, consults are available for patients located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Florida, and Ohio.

    For more information or to schedule a consultation, please email Zakim_center@dfci.harvard.edu.

    Frequently Asked Questions

      What should I expect during a consult?

      Consults take place virtually and begin with a conversation about how you are feeling and what kind of support would be most helpful. The therapist will work with you to identify a creative experience that meets you where you are. For some people, that may mean making space for relaxation or joy. For others, it may be a chance to reflect, express emotions, process experiences, or learn new ways to support wellness.

      Depending on your interests, a consult may include visual art, journaling, poetry, music listening, creative reflection, or other expressive activities. Sessions may also draw from virtual tools such as digital photography or online sand tray. Each consult is individualized and can be adapted to your preferences, goals, and comfort level.

      What materials will I need for an expressive arts consult?

      Sessions are personalized based on your interests and goals. In many cases, we use simple materials you may already have at home, such as paper and drawing supplies.

      If you would like to gather additional art materials, the following items may be helpful for online sessions: 

      • Paper, such as drawing paper, watercolor paper, printer paper, or colored paper
      • Scissors
      • Tape, glue, or glue stick
      • Drawing materials, such as markers, colored pencils, crayons, pastels, pencils, and erasers
      • Paint brushes, acrylic or watercolor paints, jar or cup for water & plate, palette, or piece of cardboard for paint
      • Recycled materials, such as small boxes or containers
      • Meaningful personal items, such as photos or small objects
      • Collage materials, such as magazines, printed images, or paper scraps
      • Fabric scraps, yarn, or beads
      • Modeling clay
      • Found or natural objects, such as rocks, sticks, leaves, or flowers
      • Musical instruments, if you have them
      • Comfort items, such as a blanket, cushion, or yoga mat

      Expressive Arts Groups for Patients and Caregivers

      The Zakim Center currently offers several expressive arts groups to support Dana-Farber patients and caregivers, such as monthly virtual creative arts workshops and a weekly doodling class. Groups are always free of charge.

      See more about our current Expressive Arts offerings.

      Self-Guided Journaling Course

      Discover the power of journaling as a self-care practice. This self-guided digital course helps you build a journaling practice at your own pace. Modeled after the Zakim Center's 8-week group program, the course includes eight interactive lessons and more than 20 journaling prompts to help participants reduce stress, clarify thoughts and feelings, build self-awareness, and explore creativity through writing. Open to all Dana-Farber patients, caregivers, and staff available on MyZakim.

      How to enroll:

      1. Log in to your MyZakim account. If you don’t have an account, sign up for one.
      2. From your Locker page, under My Courses, click "View All."
      3. Select Journaling for Self-Care Self-Guided Program.
      4. Click "Enroll" (top right)
      5. Start with "Welcome" and work through the content at your own pace.
         

      Note: This self-guided course is separate from our eight-week group program. To join the group program waitlist, email Zakim_Center@dfci.harvard.edu. You must be a Dana-Farber patient or caregiver to join.

      Creative Arts Corner

      Fun, simple, pre-packaged take-home art projects are available in our Creative Arts Corner for patients and caregivers visiting the Zakim Center. Offerings may include mini canvas and easel painting sets, origami hearts, and Zakim Center coloring books. Projects rotate throughout the year, providing an accessible, self-directed outlet for creativity, enrichment, and stress reduction.

      The Art Cart

      The Art Cart is a mobile art program that offers art materials and self-directed activities to patients, family, and caregivers in the waiting areas of treatment floors. Staffed by the Volunteer Department, the Art Cart offers relaxation, self-expression, and stress management options for patients and families during the waiting and treatment experience.