Our Work
Three pillars of support bringing art therapy to cancer patients, training the next generation of therapists, and advancing the evidence base through research and publications.
Art Therapy Sessions
One-to-one and group sessions helping cancer patients express, process, and heal through drawing, painting, scrapbooking, and collage.
Healing Through Creativity
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and many patients struggle to put their fears into words. Our qualified art therapists work within NHS hospitals, offering a safe and supportive space where patients can use art as a way to express difficult emotions, regain a sense of control, and find moments of peace during treatment.
Sessions are tailored to each individual. Whether it is drawing, painting, scrapbooking, or creating collages, the process of making art provides a non-verbal outlet that can be profoundly therapeutic. Patients do not need any artistic experience or ability.
sessions delivered in 2025
patients supported in 2025
Our Hospital Partners
St Bartholomew's Hospital
Our founding partner since 1992
Whipps Cross Hospital
Recent expansion
Royal London Hospital
Recent expansion
Homerton Hospital
Recent expansion
North East London NHS Trust
Expanding across North East London
"Cancer treatment was hellish. Every time I visited the hospital I was harmed. In a situation where I had very little control over my body, my time or my treatment, art therapy became vital."
Scholarships
Training the next generation of art therapists through our longstanding partnership with Goldsmiths, University of London.
Growing the Profession
There are far too few qualified art therapists working in cancer care. Since 1992, CBMT has partnered with Goldsmiths, University of London to fund Masters scholarships for students specialising in art therapy for cancer patients.
Each scholarship includes full funding for the Masters programme plus two years of post-qualification funded placement, ensuring graduates gain the clinical experience they need to build lasting careers in this vital field.
art therapists trained
through Goldsmiths scholarships since 1992
Hannah Cridford
"Over 15 years after receiving the CBMT scholarship at Goldsmiths, I wanted to share my story and the lasting difference it has made. My first year at Compton Care hospice in Wolverhampton was funded by CBMT — a hospice that had never had art therapy before. That single year of funding planted a seed that grew into eight years of meaningful work."
Hannah's story illustrates how a single scholarship can create ripples of impact that last for decades, bringing art therapy to communities that have never had access before.
Publications & Research
Advancing the evidence base for art therapy in cancer care through books, academic research, and media engagement.
Something Understood
Art Therapy in Cancer Care
A landmark book exploring the role of art therapy in supporting cancer patients, drawing on decades of experience from CBMT's work in NHS hospitals.
Art Therapy in Cancer Care
A comprehensive guide
A foundational text for practitioners and researchers, documenting the therapeutic approaches and outcomes of art therapy with cancer patients.
Published in BMJ Public Health (2025)
Megan Tjasink's groundbreaking PhD research, supported by CBMT, has been published in the prestigious BMJ Public Health journal, providing rigorous clinical evidence for the effectiveness of art therapy in cancer care.
The research was also featured on BBC Breakfast, bringing national attention to the measurable mental health benefits of art therapy for cancer patients.
Supporting Healthcare Workers Too
Our work extends beyond patients. CBMT also provides art therapy-based burnout support for doctors and nurses working in cancer care, helping those on the front line process the emotional toll of their work and maintain their wellbeing.
sessions since 1992
therapists trained
hospital partners
point reduction in depression (PHQ-8)
Help Us Do More
Every donation directly supports cancer patients through art therapy. From a single session to a full scholarship, your generosity changes lives.