Art Therapy at Bear Cottage
Our meeting on 15 June 20 had a most interesting and inspiring speaker, Judy King. Judy is the Art therapist at Bear Cottage in Manly and explained how Bear Cottage is the only Children’s Hospice in NSW and has become the model for similar operations in Melbourne, Queensland and Western Australia. Bear Cottage is a very special place that cares for children (aged from newborn up to 19 years) together with their families with life-limiting conditions. It is however like a home away from home – as far removed from a hospital environment as possible. Judy explained her role as Art Therapist is a well-recognised area of helping the mental health and well-being of patients, especially tin situations where there are varying degrees of disability. It is a highly specialised branch of psychology; in addition to the art drawings, the texture and sometimes just feel of the paint or playdough is as important as the finished work or canvas. The process of the