Art Therapy

Art Therapy

Art Therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. The art therapist will discuss your interests and needs for the session, suggest art media and work with you to utilize the creative process and resulting artwork to meet therapeutic goals. Art therapists are professionals who possess a Master's Degree in the field of Art Therapy. Anyone can benefit from art therapy. It does not depend upon talent or technical ability.

Art Therapy can help:

  • Decrease pain and anxiety
  • Improve coping skills
  • Provide an opportunity for self-expression
  • Enhance self-esteem
  • Promote relaxation
  • Provide a sense of choice and control
  • Improve attention span
  • Assist with rehabilitation

Art Therapy is currently available for patients admitted at Main Campus, Cleveland Clinic Children’s and Hillcrest Hospital via consult. Outpatient services are offered at Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Children's and Hillcrest Hospital. Drop-in programs for visitors, caregivers and patients are offered in the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Store, the Patient and Family Education Center and the Hillcrest Hospital Atrium.

Cleveland Clinic Arts & Medicine offers art therapy as a complimentary service during your (or your child's) stay in the hospital. You may request your nurse or other caregiver to place a consult to art therapy. For more information, please contact Tammy Shella, PhD, ATR-BC, Art Therapy Manager at 216.444.4792 or shellat@ccf.org.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program1. It is a reflexive process in which music therapists support patients to optimize their health, using various aspects of music therapy experience and the relationships formed through them as the impetus for change2. Music therapists combine music and therapeutic techniques to promote the physiological, psychological, and emotional well-being of the individual during treatment of an illness. Through an assessment process, music therapists collaborate with individuals to determine which interventions might best address the identified goals. Therefore, patients do not have to possess musical talent or skill in order to benefit. Music therapy interventions may include receptive, re-creative, composition, or improvisation experiences.

Music therapy may help to:

  • Decrease anxiety
  • Decrease pain
  • Decrease suffering
  • Improve breathing
  • Manage stress and promote coping or relaxation
  • Promote well-being
  • Provide a sense of control
  • Provide support during procedures
  • Provide opportunities for self-expression
  • Support rehabilitation

Music Therapy is currently offered via consult for patients admitted at Main Campus, Children’s Hospital, Hillcrest Hospital, Avon Hospital, Euclid Hospital, and Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation. Outpatient services are available in the Taussig Cancer Institute, Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center, Hillcrest Outpatient Cancer Center, and Hospice.

For more information about music therapy at Cleveland Clinic, please contact Debbie Bates, Ph.D., MT-BC, Music Therapy Manager at 216.444.9639 or batesd2@ccf.org.

1. American Music Therapy Association. (n.d.). What is music therapy? www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/
2. Bruscia, K. (2014). Defining Music Therapy. Barcelona Publishers.

Pediatric Wish Lists

Pediatric Wish Lists

Cleveland Clinic Arts & Medicine appreciates your generosity.

For questions or to schedule a drop off, please contact Meredith McCulloch at mccullm@ccf.org or 216.445.5083 or Christine Bomberger at bomberc@ccf.org or 216.444.4688.

Due to infection control, we are accepting NEW ITEMS ONLY.

Art Therapy Wish List

  • Crayola Washable Tempera paints
  • Acrylic paints
  • Biocolor paints
  • Sculpey Bake Shop clay
  • Crayola Model Magic (all colors)
  • Crayola Twistables colored pencils
  • Canvas boards (all sizes)
  • Beads/charms
  • Scrapbook supplies (paper, stickers, etc.)
  • Sharpie markers (all colors)
  • Sketch markers and gel crayons
  • Tie-dye kits
  • White t-shirts, all sizes
  • Mod Podge
  • Play-doh kits
  • Miscellaneous craft kits
  • Wooden/papier-mâché items to paint
  • 3D printing pen
  • iTunes gift cards (for creative iPad applications to be used with patients)

Music Therapy Wish List

  • Small portable electronic drum set
  • Blank printable CD labels
  • Guitar picks
  • Story books/Musical story books - Pete the Cat, What a Wonderful World, Boom Chicka Boom, M is for Melody)
  • Piano/Guitar instruction books
  • Music theory book/worksheets
  • iTunes gift cards
  • Amazon gift cards
  • Child/Teen/Family friendly CDs
  • Song Books/Sheet Music Books
  • Szuki Tone Chimes
  • Other general musical instruments