Adverse Childhood Experiences: Piloting a Group Therapy Program Using Psychoeducation, Music Therapy, and the Creative Arts for Adults with Complex Concurrent Disorders in an Inpatient Setting

Abstract

Research shows a significant correlation between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and later adult mental health and addiction issues. There is currently no literature on therapeutic interventions to begin to redress their complex issues. Mental health, psychiatric, and addiction treatment centers often avoid tackling the manifold roots of dysfunction in clients' lives. We present the implementation of group therapy for clients with significant ACE histories, inspired by an initial in-service for clients on the subject of ACEs in mental health and addictions. Establishing group therapy for a broad spectrum of adverse childhood events proved to be an ambitious yet rewarding task. We discuss developing a comprehensive curriculum with a psychoeducational focus, a trauma-informed lens to support symptom management and resilience, and expressive elements by incorporating music therapy and the creative arts because of emerging evidence of the need for trauma recovery to engage in expressive and embodied outlets. Group observations and anecdotal evidence from clients' evaluations of the group support the urgent need for moving from research findings on ACEs to the implementation of group therapy.