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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Late frost — but not the latest Texas Roadhouse offering free lunches for vets Tuesday Workshops on floods, insurance coming to Jackson County Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford Ashland ice rink opens next week Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford Driver crashes after attempting to pass on Hwy. 140 Grants Pass car crash kills one Emergency Services New cable fence stops out-of-control SUV Politics and Elections Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Oregon voters narrowly reject GMO labeling measure Statewide voter turnout close to 70 percent Marsh, Seffinger win big in Ashland council races Education Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Half of Oregon's community college enrollees need remedial classes Marketta Gregory: Stretch yourself for God Medford Schools Foundation supports programs the district can't Environment Grow 'em before you plant 'em Since You Asked: Biomass One makes steam-generated power Organic squash creates a bountiful harvest for ACCESS Prospect-area cow death likely not a wolf kill Navickas ordered to pay court filing fees State News Kitzhaber embattled as he seeks fourth term Nation - World Obituaries Jeanne R. 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Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford ... Driver crashes after attempting to pass on Hwy. 140 ... Late frost — but not the latest ... Couple accused of robbing Dutch Bros. stand in Medford ... Driver crashes after attempting to pass on Hwy. 140 ... BEATING CANCER Healing Arts Art therapy helps local cancer survivors cope Cancer patients say art therapy sessions are helping them cope with negative emotions. By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2014 @ 3:32 pm By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2014 @ 3:32 pm » Social News Cancer survivor Kitty Mackay held up a small bear she had sculpted out of clay in an effort to face her fears head-on. "I got fearful of everything after cancer. I felt like I couldn't make any plans for the future or take any chances," she said. "The bear represents something stronger than me that is unreasonable. You can't talk your way out of cancer." But gazing longer at the diminutive bear with its perky ears and arms outstretched toward her, Mackay added, "It's OK. There's no viciousness in it, and I can deal with it." Mackay is one of eight local cancer patients and cancer survivors meeting in group art therapy sessions at Providence Cancer Center in Medford. The 10 weeks of free sessions began in October thanks to a grant from the Haines Philanthropic Foundation and funding from the Providence Cancer Foundation. Guided by registered art therapist Delaine Due, the women and men use art to delve into their darkest, most negative emotions. But they also use painting, sculpture and drawing to envision how they can move forward and face their fears with strength and determination. Sherri Sexton has battled breast cancer for three years and recently completed reconstructive surgery. "When I was diagnosed, it was an overwhelming whirlwind. There was no time to deal with feelings," she said during a recent art therapy session. "Being here now is helping." At the beginning of the session, Sexton used watercolors to create an image of a person on the ground crushed by a giant boulder-like weight. Due encouraged her to paint a second image exploring exactly what the weight represented. Sexton painted a black circle representing her overwhelming fear of the cancer returning, but then covered up the circle with concentric rings of peach and red paint showing how she tried to hide her feelings. In a third watercolor, Sexton painted a woman standing up amid soothing, refreshing fields of blue and green paint. "By the third painting, I was realizing I could deal with the fear, look at it and crack it open. I can take it off my chest and be refreshed. Being terrified is not being in control of my life," she said. "I can deal with it." Sexton said she was seeing a counselor during her cancer treatment, but painting has allowed her to get her feelings out in a more concrete form. She said she plans to keep the paintings she has made during the art therapy sessions. "It shows how I'm going from being paralyzed to being refreshed," Sexton said. "I didn't know how to do art before. In art therapy, it doesn't have to be a perfect painting." As an art therapist, Due said she will offer suggestions on art techniques, but the sessions aren't art classes. "I will give them advice if it's in the service of helping them communicate their feelings and thoughts. I give support to their healing and psychological insight," she said. "It's not about making the picture prettier." Due said art therapy is different than making personal art on one's own, because a trained therapist is there to help a person investigate and work through their thoughts and feelings. Patients sometimes cry — as has happened at the Providence Cancer Center sessions. But the therapist needs to be able to help the person experience negative emotions, then regroup by the time the session ends, Due said. Cancer survivor Betty Van Lente, who beat her cancer three years ago, said it took a long time for her to recover her health after going through chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She said she is hopeful the art therapy sessions can help her get rid of residual fears and bad feelings from the intense medical experience. "I think it's done wonders for me and even more for other people who are bogged down by fear. It helps get rid of negative feelings and emotions from radiation," she said. Van Lente drew a picture of rubbish swept into a corner and labeled the drawing, "Leftover garbage from radiation treatment swept into the corner in an abandoned factory." She said she was surprised by the feeling of release and relief she felt from creating the drawing. Some artwork focused completely on positive emotions and thoughts. Judy Hunter created a colorful poster showing her medication, healthy foods, a cozy pillow and other things that would help her. She included words like family, hope, faith, friends, comfort and warmth. With everyone at different stages on the cancer journey, Van Lente said, members of the art therapy sessions can give each other advice, support and encouragement. "I believe we're helping each other. I've never been a joiner, but I'm getting a lot out of this," she said. Cancer patients and survivors, or people dealing with other medical conditions such as strokes or chronic pain, are encouraged to contact Due to be placed on a waiting list for potential future art therapy sessions. More free sessions could be offered if funding becomes available. Due can be reached at 541-499-5214. More information is available about her art therapy practice, People's Art, at www.PeoplesArt.net. Reach reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected].           By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2014 @ 3:32 pm » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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