Art therapy with a hospitalized child.

Art therapy can help pediatric patients communicate their feelings about being in the hospital and cope with their illness or injury. This case study of Alan, who was admitted to a pediatric unit with orthopedic injuries, shows how the art therapy process helped him cope with his injury and subsequent 14-day hospitalization. Once Alan overcame his initial resistance to the art materials, he was able to use artwork as a communicative channel to express his feelings about being in the hospital and away from his family, suffering from a painful injury. The anarchic, freeing quality of the art media lowered Alan's inhibitions and served as an outlet for his feelings. Termination was also discussed.