Art and other group therapies with adolescents in inpatient mental health care

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Group programmes are a common component of treatment in inpatient child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) units. There is evidence for specific group interventions, however, comparison across a multidisciplinary group programme is under-explored. Aims: This research examines young people's experiences of, and satisfaction with, a multidisciplinary group programme on an acute inpatient CAMHS unit. Methods: Weekly surveys were distributed to young people, and 37 responses were gathered across four months in 2018. Rates of attendance, enjoyment and perceived helpfulness of groups were calculated. Content analysis was used to explore key themes in qualitative responses. Results: Young people rated a creative activities and games group (54.05%) and the art therapy group (48.95%) as the two most enjoyable groups. Art therapy was reported to be the most helpful group overall (45.65%). Young people also expressed their dislike for verbal psychotherapy groups (43.24%), finding these confronting relative to other modalities in the programme. Conclusions: Art therapy and arts-based groups received the highest positive feedback relative to predominantly verbal psychotherapy groups. A multidisciplinary group programme which integrates art therapy and other creative modalities has the potential to enhance engagement in acute inpatient settings which may result in improved mental health outcomes for young people. Implications for future research and practice: Future research should aim to foreground young people's perspectives and experiences of therapeutic programmes, and provide opportunities for clinicians to redevelop programmes responsively to service user feedback. Survey findings support advocacy for consistent art therapy roles and services within inpatient CAMHS units.