When a parent is facing a cancer diagnosis, children need support too. In fact, research has shown that when a parent is diagnosed with cancer, one of their primary concerns is the well being of their children.
Mount Sinai’s Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team works with children who have a significant caregiver diagnosed with cancer. The team creates safe, supportive spaces where children can process complex emotions, ask questions, and build healthy coping skills, according to Katherine Parker, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT, Creative Arts Therapy Coordinator.
Families are guided with age-appropriate, therapeutic tools—using creativity, play, and conversation to help children understand and navigate illness with confidence and care. These offerings include developmentally appropriate education, as well as bedside and playroom activities designed to make medical experiences feel less overwhelming.
Katherine Parker, MA, ATR-BC, LCAT
“From everyday challenges to life-changing diagnoses, these services support children and families across many medical situations—and are there year-round, including during the holidays, when care and connection matter most,” she says.
The top two concerns that parents often have are how to have conversations about cancer in a way that children will understand and also how their children are coping over time, says Ms. Parker. “I work with children age six through 24 who have questions about the cancer diagnosis and treatment, I provide developmentally appropriate resources, including videos, books, and I also incorporate play and art materials and helping to normalize the hospital environment and help children develop sustainable coping skills,” she says.
Art Therapy is helpful for exploring hard emotions, creative expression, and sometimes families even work on projects together to help with communication and bonding. “A cancer diagnosis can bring on many challenging changes for families. For caregivers, I’ve seen immense amount of relief when they hear that there’s a role dedicated to supporting their children,” she says. “For children, I’ve seen them really engage in a safe space where they can talk about and process difficult thoughts and feelings.”
She adds, “I find so much purpose in helping families find meaning. When families are able to connect through moments of joy or creating new traditions together, I feel really honored to be a part of their journey.”