Art therapy is prioritized based on doctor referral, but requests for a referral can be directed to any member of your child’s care team.
Art Therapy Goals
In the pediatric medical setting, art therapy can be used by patients and their families to:
- Promote self-expression surrounding feelings, thoughts and experiences related to illness, injury or hospitalization
- Build verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Provide opportunities for choice and control in all aspects of art making
- Develop and strengthen positive coping strategies
- Support pain management
- Facilitate exploration of identity and formation of self-esteem
Meet Our Art Therapists
Ali Ditolla, MA, ATR-BC, CMHC
Contact Ali
Ally Spjut, MS, ATR, CMHC
Ally is a registered art therapist and clinical mental health counselor. In 2015, she graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a Master’s of Science in Art Therapy and Counseling. She has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting and printmaking with a minor in psychology from Utah State University. Ally has worked as a primary therapist and art therapist in residential treatment centers, medical rehabilitation, and alternative school settings, with most recently joining Primary Children’s Hospital in 2022. Ally enjoys working with children to help them learn more about themselves, explore through self-expression, increase self-compassion, and trusting in the process.