Art therapy involves materials and surfaces that we need to reconsider to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. The American Art Therapy Association describes steps for art therapists to take during the pandemic: AATA guidelines. Here is how I’ve adapted my practice to minimize the risk of exposure:
- Individual sessions at my office or through outreach will be offered beginning April 9th as long as provincial recommendations for safety allow. I’m available now by phone, email, or text to discuss potential groups or individual sessions.
- No group sessions will be available until transmission is no longer a significant risk.
- After each session in my office, I’ll wipe down the surfaces in the office following the guidelines in this fact sheet.
- Everyone, including the client and those who transport them, must thoroughly wash their hands in the washroom when you arrive at my office building.
- Each person will be given a container of items that can be sterilized after use, such as markers, paint brushes, pencil crayons, scissors, etc. The items will go in a bucket after a session and sterilized at the end of the day.
- Modelling clay, pom poms, buttons, etc. will be packaged in bags for the use of one person only. Any unused items will be thrown out at the end of a session.
- Please do not attend a session if you, or someone you’ve been in contact with, has a fever, cough, sore muscles, or sniffles. Contact me as soon as you know you can’t attend. I will waive my fee for missed sessions.
- All play items – such as stuffies, activity cube prompts, and sandtray – will not be available until there is no longer concern about the spread of the virus.
And, if you can’t make it to a session, try some of these ideas from Life Hack: 20 Art Therapy Activities You Can Try at Home to Destress
