Art therapy with a woman who has multiple medical conditions

This is a case study about Nancy, a 63-year-old woman with multiple medical conditions, who resided in a veterans' hospital geriatric ward. Twenty-eig ht sessions of art therapy were conducted over 9 months. Painting was Nancy 's preferred modality, and painting techniques were adapted because of her paralysis from multiple sclerosis. An important goal was that she find an i ncreased acceptance of her life and situation. The paintings she produced w ere rich in symbolism, which she often declined to discuss. Possible interp retations are suggested. Themes included death, cancer, integration of masc uline and feminine elements of personality, anger at her situation, and ter mination of our work together.