skip to main navigation skip to main content

Art, music and play therapy

Art, music and play therapy



Art, music and play therapy has an important role in creating a normal environment for children and adolescents with cancer by helping to reduce the impact of the disease and treatment on both the child, adolescent and their family.

In 2007, the PICS together with art, music and play therapy providers developed a best practice model which documents a risk adaptive approach to the delivery of services. This model is applicable across the PICS partnership sites as well as regional and community based services.

The service model articulates a vision for the future where children and adolescents and their families have access to developmentally appropriate therapy based on assessed need that:
  • Facilitates the child’s normal growth, learning and development
  • Reduces the impact of the illness and treatment on the child and family

This model was used by the heath services to negotiate philanthropic funding to increase staffing resources at the Children’s Cancer Centres at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s.


For an overview of this model click here to access the Report.

back to top