Art Modalities Research Articles

Neurodynamics of Relational Aesthetic Engagement in Creative Arts Therapies

Aesthetic experiences, emerging saliently in the arts, play a pivotal role in transformative learning and creative processes that elicit physiological, affective, and cognitive responses associated with mental health indices. Interactions between subjects and aesthetic objects (e.g., visual artwork, music, and moving bodies) often entail elements of surprise and uncertainty that drive the inference of the hidden causes in the subject’s internal and external environment. These generate dynamics that align with the action-oriented Predictive Processing framework of brain function. Creative Arts Therapies (CATs) harness these dynamics by cultivating relational engagement using the arts modalities, prompting affective and cognitive processing. In this manuscript, we offer a review and conceptual analysis of recent empirical findings and theoretical premises that underpin aesthetic experiences and their relation to the psychotherapeutic use of the arts with a broad spectrum of populations and mental health conditions. We present a neuroscience-based approach to aesthetic intra- and inter-personal experiences, integrating therapeutic change factors of externalization-concretization, embodiment, and symbolization with functional network configurations, and interpersonal brain-to-brain coupling, to support predictive processing, learning, and creativity. Present and future interdisciplinary collaborations are underlined to elucidate the neurodynamic mechanisms driving psychological transformations, bridging neuroaesthetics and CATs.

African Wisdom Traditions and Healing Practices: Performing the Embodied, Contemplative, and Group-based Elements of African Cosmology, Orality, and Arts Modalities

This study on African wisdom traditions and their healing practices, as conducted through embodied modalities and in community settings, addresses a gap in mainstream discourse centered on Eastern meditation practices and Western cognitive therapeutic practices. During a research retreat in South Africa, traditional healers, creative arts therapists, and performers were invited to facilitate indigenous contemplative rituals and arts-based healing practices. The study intended to classify selected Southern African practices and question how they contribute to healing trauma, supporting well-being and enabling human flourishing. This article presents a definition, brief history, and the performed elements of five healing practices: Umphahlo, Umgidi Wokulingisa, Isicathamiya, Iintsomi, and Djembe drumming.

Intermodal Expressive Arts in Individual Supervision

ABSTRACT Intermodal expressive arts (EXA) integrates two or more arts modalities to facilitate development, growth, and positive change within participants. Intermodal EXA provides opportunities for deepened processing moving beyond cognitive levels to include sensory, perceptual, and affective levels. Intermodal EXA results in development of internal resources, expanded perspectives, and strategies for problem-solving. Although EXA has an increasing body of literature, literature is limited for the application of intermodal expressive arts in individual supervision as a unique discipline among creative therapies. This article aims to inform counseling supervisors of the potential benefits of intermodal EXA individual supervision, including increased supervisee self-awareness, by providing an example of the application of EXA’s theory of practice to individual supervision.

‘Art is the evidence!’: Developmental Transformations (DvT) theory and practice applied to art-based research

Art-based research (ABR) and Developmental Transformations (DvT) both originate and draw from the theory and practice of creative arts therapies. ABR uses response art (RA) in all art modalities to further understand and give form to intersubjective dialogue. The goal of this article is to demarcate the substantial similarities between ABR and DvT and ultimately to suggest their combined potential for future research. The article provides an overview of the underpinnings of ABR and DvT and then outlines the research design and relevant results from an ABR–DvT pilot study. Finally, a summarized dialogue carried out by the authors underscores the complementarity of the two methods.

Group song-writing and group visual art-making in promoting collaboration among service users and staff in mental health: A comparative reflection

Collaboration between service users and staff is central to successful recovery-oriented working in mental health. Participatory arts programmes are increasingly utilised for this purpose yet little is known about the parallels and distinctions that various arts modalities may offer within this pursuit. This arts-based study addressed this issue by exploring the similarities and differences among group songwriting and group visual artmaking, in promoting collaboration among service users and staff in a recovery-oriented hospital in [name of country]. Sixteen participants including ten service users and six staff participated in either songwriting or visual art focus groups. Afterwards, experiences of participation were investigated through individual semi-structured interviews that were analysed using Thematic Content Analysis. Interviews revealed four themes including ‘The versatility of the arts enhanced opportunities for engagement’; ‘Liberation from roles facilitated authentic self-expression’; ‘Creative groupwork evoked feelings of vulnerability’: and, ‘The multidimensional nature of arts-based methods encouraged new perspectives’. Overall, the creative environments offered in the arts-based focus groups enabled participation, inclusion, and equity, while also presenting channels of expression through which new perspectives could be explored. Some subtle differences arose in terms of subjective experiences of using these arts-based modalities where greater vulnerability was experienced among staff.

Cell-free fetal DNA testing performance and fetal fraction estimation are not affected in ART-conceived pregnancies.

Does ART-based conception influence fetal fraction (FF) estimation and cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) testing performance? Mode of conception (ART versus natural) does not impact FF estimation or cffDNA test informativity rates. Pregnancies achieved via ART are increasing, and cffDNA testing is displacing traditional prenatal screening methods due to its high sensitivity and specificity and noninvasive nature. However, conflicting data exist on cffDNA testing performance and FF in ART pregnancies compared with natural pregnancies. We performed a case-control study that included 21 558 consecutive pregnancies (spontaneous, n = 15 707; ART, n = 5851). ART-conceived pregnancies were stratified into two groups according to oocyte origin. Samples were collected from April 2015 to September 2019. The study included women from different centers worldwide. Blood samples were drawn from the 10th week of gestation onward. Massive parallel whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze cffDNA content in blood plasma. Two different types of technologies (single-end and paired-end) were applied because of analysis technology changes made by the sequencing provider over time. FF was determined using different methods depending on the type of technology used. Cases with an FF <2% or with failure in any quality control metrics were classified as noninformative. An analysis of covariance model was selected to identify which qualitative (sequencing methodology, mode of conception, type (i.e. multiplicity) of gestation and age (women >35 or <35 years old)) and quantitative (gestational age, BMI) variables were predictors of FF value. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate whether the mode of conception impacted cffDNA testing performance. A univariate t-test demonstrated no significant differences in FF values between ART (median FF = 9.2%) and spontaneous pregnancies (median FF = 9.2%). Also, a multivariate analysis showed that the mode of conception, did not strongly impact the percentage of FF. ART-treated women showed a lower incidence of high-risk cffDNA results compared to women who conceived naturally, specifically for trisomy (T)21 (0.7% versus 1.3%, P = 0.001) and T18 (0.1% versus 0.3%, P = 0.001). A multivariate model stratified by type of aneuploidy suggested that these differences were conditioned by oocyte origin, especially for the T21 risk classification (P < 0.0001). False-positive rates (FPRs) were significantly higher in the ART population, mainly for T13 (P = 0.001) and sexual chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs; P < 0.001). A multivariate model suggested that the differences observed in SCAs were caused by sequencing modality rather than by mode of conception. Likewise, ART-treated women who used their own oocytes had a higher probability of a false positive for T13 (P = 0.004). Our study lacks follow-up data for low- and high-risk cases of both ART-conceived and naturally conceived pregnancies. Therefore, the results comparing FPR in both populations should be interpreted carefully. Also, collecting information about different ART modalities and regarding preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy treatments would help draw definite explanations for the trends observed in this study. This is the first study that demonstrates, with a large sample size, that FF is not influenced by mode of conception, demystifying the notion that patients undergoing ART have a higher probability of noninformative cffDNA testing results. Multivariate models stratified by oocyte origin and type of aneuploidy demonstrated that ART-conceived pregnancies do not have a higher probability of classification as a high-risk pregnancy in prenatal testing. This information is especially valuable to clinicians and genetic counselors when informing patients about the risks and limitations of cffDNA testing in ART pregnancies. This study was financially supported by Igenomix Lab S.L.U. All authors declare no conflict of interest. N/A.

O-221 The concept of ‘family' in the era of assisted conception : a sociolinguistic analysis

Abstract Study question Should current societal concerns about how the application of ART has resulted in evolving family structures influence clinical and legislative practice Summary answer Concerns about the role of ART in ‘threatening' historical norms need to be addressed as they cause distress and fail to support valid life choices What is known already Techniques of assisted conception including gamete donation, cryopreservation and surrogacy have enabled many individuals to access unconventional and different family structures. ART modalities that were initially concerned with achieving a child for a hetero-normative couple are now widely accessed by individuals and couples with alternative family structures. Current societal concerns oscillate between anxieties about inappropriate access and recourse to fertility treatments, demographic evidence of declining fecundity and geo-political pressures to optimize social structures. Study design, size, duration A historical review was undertaken of family structures during the historical epoque since records are available of family size, maternal mortality, generational divergence and ‘un-official' family formation. Consideration of literary sources including foundlings, child ‘gifting', adoption and abandonment was involved. Assessment of current cultural norms including Census data information on household composition was accessed. Semi-qualitative interviews with individuals wishing to access fertility treatment with donor gametes.. Participants/materials, setting, methods On-line access to records, census data, historical reviews etc. Main results and the role of chance In the post-industrial era a significant proportion of children lived in families to which they had no genetic link. ‘Excess' children were ‘gifted' to relatives, ‘sent' to live with individuals who offered the opportunity of a ‘better' life or who simply required a servant, or a companion or an heir. Quantitatively this is no different from the current situation in the UK where half of all young children live in a household in which they are not genetically linked to one of the adults who care for them. Deferred marriage or coupledom and age-related subfertility have increased the use of donor eggs. Single women and same sex female partners can now freely access donor sperm. it could be concluded that the current ‘moral panic'about the status of ‘the family' is misguided and historically inaccurate.Contemporary family structures are not so different from what has preceded them, even though the ways in which these longed for children arrive may be nove.l Limitations, reasons for caution These data refer to UK sources and may not be universalisable Wider implications of the findings Practitioners of ART and allied professionals who support their work need to be aware of the needs and entitlements of individuals who seek to form families by accessing ART. Trial registration number Not applicable

Noticing, curation, cultivation: Academic development leadership in the arts university

The curation of four ‘teaching exhibitions’ of pedagogic research outputs in a specialist arts university is presented as a case study of distributed leadership practice, with the leadership in question being positioned as a feminized mode of leading educational or academic development from a middle-out position. Scholarship of teaching and learning focused upon the development of academic micro-cultures within universities is collided with thinking around arts-informed approaches to leadership. Through reflexively evaluating her nascent curatorial practice, the author reconsiders what academic development leadership in the specific organizational culture of the arts university can look like when arts modalities are brought into play.

Creative Arts Interventions in Addressing Depression in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Depression experienced by older adults is proving an increasing global health burden, with rates as high as 27% in the USA. This is likely to increase in coming years as the number and proportion of older adults in the global population rises. Therefore, it is imperative that the effectiveness of approaches to the prevention and treatment of depression are understood. Creative arts interventions, including art, dance movement, drama, and music, are utilized internationally to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults and promote wellbeing. This includes interventions led by trained arts therapists as well as other health and arts professionals. This presentation will include a report of findings from a recent systematic review of the outcomes of four creative arts modalities (art, dance movement, drama, and music) with particular attention paid to processes of change documented in each modality.

Trends in Research on Art Therapy Indexed in the Web of Science: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Aim: Despite the increase in international research in art therapy, few studies have been developed with a bibliometric approach which describe the situation regarding this area of knowledge. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe and contextualize international scientific production in the visual arts modality in the context of artistic therapies, to offer a broader and more in-depth vision of the structure of this area of knowledge through of a bibliometric analysis of the publications indexed in the core collection of the Web of Science.Methods: This is a retrospective, exploratory and descriptive, cross-sectional study to analyze the bibliographic data retrieved from the databases of the core collection. The analysis parameters included the data corresponding to the production according to type of document, country, journal, and institution. In addition, the main lines of research were located and classified and the subject matter of the most cited articles in each of them was summarized. Four periods were selected, between 1994 and 2020, to facilitate the thematic analysis and offer an evolutionary perspective of art therapy research.Results: A total of 563 works were published, in 250 journals, in the 63 years between 1958, when the first document was published, and April 2021. The annual growth rate was 7.3% with a mean average of 8.7 publications per year, and 83.13% of the published works were articles. A total of 1,269 authors from 56 countries were counted. The mean number of citations per document was 5.6 and the mean number of citations per document and year was 0.6. The main research domains were psychology and/or rehabilitation and the highest production on this topic was concentrated in only three journals. In general, a high degree of variability was observed in the study topics and numerous theoretical and methodological articles. The most used visual arts modalities were in the main drawing, painting and photography.Conclusion: This work did not find previous existence of any bibliometric analysis on the international scientific production in art therapy. In general terms, there has been a substantial growth in the number of publications on the subject over the last decade. However, this research area does not appear to have peaked, but, on the contrary, is still growing and progressing despite its long history in clinical practice.

Medical Students\u2019 Creation of Original Poetry, Comics, and Masks to Explore Professional Identity Formation

Introduction. This study examines differences in students’ perceived value of three artmaking modalities (poetry, comics, masks) and whether the resulting creative projects offer similar or different insights into medical students’ professional identity formation. Methods. Mixed-methods design using a student survey, student narrative comments and qualitative analysis of students’ original work. Results. Poetry and comics stimulated insight, but masks were more enjoyable and stress-reducing. All three art modalities expressed tension between personal and professional identities. Discussion. Regardless of type of artmaking, students express concern about encroachments of training on personal identity but hoped that personal and professional selves could be integrated.

Activity Groups as Mental Health Interventions for Creative Arts Professionals

ABSTRACT Individuals whose career is within creative arts have higher rates of mental health diagnoses as compared to other professionals. We discuss the development of a novel program, the results of a quasi-experimental pilot survey of participants, and implications for practice and future research. Care for Creatives (CFC) operated from 2018 to 2020 to address community mental health of creative arts professionals. CFC collected pilot survey data from participants and included weekly drop-in social mixers featuring various healing service stations. The event paired with a structured open group featuring activities in yoga, somatic activities, and movement (MOV), expressive arts modalities (EA), and meditative relaxation practices (MED) with facilitated reflective sharing. Pre and post session data were collected from a convenience sample (n = 224). Results were statistically significant for positive change in all domains measured: subjective wellbeing (SWB), gratitude (GT), hope (HP), and social connection (SC). Results indicate that CFC successfully improved mental health indicators.

Elke Bräuer-Krisch: dedication, creativity and generosity: May 17, 1961–September 10, 2018

Purpose This extraordinary woman worked her professional way from a radiation protection engineer to become the successful principal investigator of a prestigious international European project for a new radiation therapy (ERC Synergy grant, HORIZON 2020). The evaluation of the submitted proposal was very positive. The panel proposed that it be funded. Elke tragically passed away a few days before this conclusion of the panel. The present account describes her gradual career development; it includes many episodes that Elke personally chronicled in her curriculum of 2017. Methods An internet literature search was performed using Google Scholar and other sources to assist in the writing of this narrative review and account. Conclusions In parallel to the development of the new Biomedical Beamline ID17 at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble in the late nineties, Elke focused her interest and her personal and professional priorities on MRT, particularly on its clinical goals. She outlined her main objectives in several documents: (1) develop a new paradigm of cancer care by broadening the foundation for MRT. (2) Filling the gaps in basic biological knowledge about the mechanisms of MRT effects on normal and neoplastic tissues. (3) Broaden the preclinical level of evidence for the low normal organ toxicity of MRT versus standard X-ray irradiations; preclinical experiments involved the application of MRT to animal tumor patients, to animals of larger size than laboratory rodents, using larger radiation field sizes, and irradiating in a real-time scenario comparable to the one planned for human patients. (4) To foster the specific purpose of radiosurgical MRT of tumor patients at the ESRF that required development of new, specific state of the art modalities and tools for treatment planning, dosimetry, dose calculation, patient positioning and, of particular importance, redundant levels of patient safety. Just as she was about to take responsibility as principal investigator for a prestigious international European project on a new radiation therapy, death called Elke in.

Art therapy with children surviving cancer used to relieve symptoms associated with death, loss and pain

IntroductionSince dying is inevitable, it is part of life, children need to be able to deal with the feelings and emotions associated withs death, loss and pain. When the grieven child move among the art modalities, he or she is able to deepen understaning of his or her lived experiences.ObjectivesOur aim is to uncover these new perspectives and sources of inspiration in order to advance in defining the importance of resilience in personal development.MethodsWe made use of the following techniques: ceramic, drawing, modeling, painting, assemblage of unconventional materials, multimedia techniques, animation. Performing artworks, artefacts, or using craft arts are test activities for art therapy and occupational therapy. „…Contemporary visual arts bring together, in different degrees of relationship and fusion, fields of art that until now were understood and practiced more individually. The most suitable territory for this partnership is that of the physical and metaphysical environment, provided by the installationist and shareholder arts.” [2] A medical project was transformed into an artistic project [4]ResultsGiven the diversity of non-verbal communication of the child, art therapy is not a simple accessory method in the therapeutic process of emotional disorders caused by grief of children, but a mandatory condition of it.ConclusionsGiven the diversity of non-verbal communication of the child, art therapy is not a simple accessory method in the therapeutic process of emotional disorders caused by grief of children, but a mandatory condition of it.DisclosureREFERENCES [1] Drăgan-Chirilă, Diana.(24-26.05 2018), Associate Professor Ph.D., University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca, Romania, visual artist, Coordinator of the multimedia installation “Diagnostique” new media and multimedia performance instal

Expressive Arts Therapy with Chinese Calligraphy Elements as a Working Approach

Creative Arts Educ Ther (2020) 6(2):179–186 DOI: 10.15212/CAET/2020/6/2 Expressive Arts Therapy with Chinese Calligraphy Elements as a Working Approach 中國書法元素融入表達藝術治療作實踐模式 Abstract The properties of Chinese calligraphy and its beauty have captured the imagination and expression of artists throughout the Eastern history. Although some in the Chinese world still practice Chinese calligraphy as an art today, many first encounter it as part of the literacy education in primary school curriculum. Repetitive mimicking is often emphasized in the process without much creative element. As a Chinese calligrapher who aspires to reflect on the creative aspect of the art form, this author chose to integrate elements of Chinese calligraphy with other art modalities in work with teenagers in school setting. This article will look at applying Chinese calligraphy elements to a framework called the expressive therapies continuumin group therapy setting. Keywords: Chinese calligraphy, Expressive therapies continuum, Expressive arts therapy 摘要 中國書法的特性及其美麗捕捉了整個東方歷史藝術家的想像力和表達。在華人社會中有不少人仍將中國書法視作為藝術來實踐，但許多初次接觸中國書法卻是小學課程中練字課程內。在教學過程中通常會強調重複模仿，而沒有太多創意元素。作為一位反思藝術形式創造性方面的中國書法愛好者，作家選擇將中國書法的元素與其他藝術形式相結合，並與學校中的青少年一起實踐。本文將探討如何將中國書法元素應用於團體治療中，並探討在表達性治療連續系統框架下的應用。 關鍵詞：中國書法，表達性治療連續系統，表達藝術治療

On political street art as expressions of citizen media in revolutionary Egypt

This article traces the intersecting and interstitial spaces of political aesthetics in political street art featuring key activists of the Egyptian uprising of 2011–13 as well as the following struggle. We argue that the complex political expressions displayed in the images as recontextualized and embodied afford the images different roles in citizens’ political and social struggles. We develop three modalities of political street art – emplacement, travelling and conversation – that allow different works different roles in the political formation of subjectivity. In order to understand street art’s role in political subjectivity formation, this article applies visual discursive analyses to two expressions of political street art: first, the stencil of a blue bra, referring to sitt al-banat, a woman who was stripped naked in public as she was beaten unconscious by Egyptian military soldiers; second, the mural of then jailed activist Sanaa Seif in the Copenhagen borough of Christiania.

A systematic review of active group-based dance, singing, music therapy and theatrical interventions for quality of life, functional communication, speech, motor function and cognitive status in people with Parkinson\u2019s disease

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative condition associated with a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms. There has been increasing interest in the potential benefit of performing arts as a therapeutic medium in PD. While there have been previous reviews, none have considered all performing arts modalities and most have focused on dance. This systematic review examined the potential benefit of all active group-based performing arts interventions for quality of life, functional communication, speech, motor function and cognitive status.MethodsSearches were conducted in February 2020 on five scholarly databases. Supplementary searches were conducted. Included studies were quantitative in design, and assessed the potential benefit of any active group-based performing arts intervention for quality of life, functional communication, speech, motor function or cognitive status in people with PD. Full text papers were eligible for inclusion, as were conference abstracts since January 2018. Screening, data extraction, narrative synthesis and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Quality assessment used the SURE checklists.ResultsFifty-six studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review, reported in 67 publications. Published from 1989 to 2020, these studies included a total of 1531 people with PD from 12 countries, and covered four broad performing arts modalities: dance, singing, music therapy and theatre. Dance remains the most commonly studied performing arts modality for PD (38 studies), while there were 12 studies on singing interventions, four on music therapy, and only two on theatrical interventions. There was evidence for a beneficial effect of all four performing arts modalities on at least some outcome domains.ConclusionsThis is the first systematic review to assess the potential benefit of all active group-based performing arts interventions in PD. The evidence suggests that performing arts may be a useful therapeutic medium in PD. However, a substantial limitation of the evidence base is that no studies compared interventions from different performing arts modalities. Moreover, not all performing arts modalities were assessed for all outcome domains. Therefore it is not currently possible to determine which performing arts modalities are most beneficial for which specific outcomes.

Creativity in retirement: psychosocial experiences of recently retired people participating in a creative arts project.

A growing body of research literature features the provision of arts experiences for the older person but less attention has been given to those who are in the early years of retirement. This qualitative study aims to contribute to the existing field through exploring the contribution that creativity, in the form of active participation in the arts, can make upon the older person's transition to retirement. A total of 15 recently retired people in a Scottish town were invited to participate in a qualitative project which explored, using the creative arts, the participants' psychological and social experiences during this period of transition. The emphasis was on participants' active, rather than passive, involvement in different art modalities. An action research methodology was adopted, involving a circular flexible design. Qualitative information was generated through focus groups, participant observations and group discussions with participants attending arts workshops. Participants were also invited to record their thoughts and observations anonymously in written form. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Two co-researchers, who were recently retired people from outside the community, took part as participant observers. Key findings indicated that the need to feel challenged and stimulated was paramount for feelings of wellbeing. The feeling of belonging to a community was considered important and could be derived from creative arts activities. Psychological and social benefits of arts participation were derived from active participation, primarily in creating original work. Participants had disparate experience of arts but were united in their search for creative fulfilment. Implications for appropriate provision were considered.

Augmenting the Patient Experience: Therapeutic Arts Interventions for Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy/Infusion

Introduction Intravenous infusions and chemotherapy can be a stressful and emotionally-draining process. Prior studies have examined patient perceptions of care and how to improve patient experience during this time. Art interventions have been performed to enhance the patient experience and reduce negative side effects. This patient-centered study investigated the process by which two distinct art modalities - reflective writing and tile painting -- alleviated patients' symptom burden. Methods Chemotherapy patients at The Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Miriam Hospital (Providence, RI) were invited to participate in a therapeutic activity of their choice during their infusions - either painting a wooden tile or engaging in a reflective writing activity. The tile painting consisted of free-form painting with either acrylic paints or pastels. The reflective writing activity consisted of guided or personal reflections on a variety of predefined prompts. Patients completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) immediately before and immediately after engaging in their chosen activity, allowing a direct within-subjects comparison of associated symptomatology. Patients also completed a qualitative survey, which allowed them to expand upon their experience in their own words, write recommendations, and reflect upon the process. The activity and surveys were standardized to 30 minutes duration. After the post-activity survey, patients were allowed to continue writing or painting if they so desired. Patients were encouraged to keep the art materials and journal for further therapeutic benefit. Results Twenty-six participants were included in data analysis, with 9 choosing to journal and 17 choosing to paint. In the painting group, there was a significant reduction in the following ESAS measures: tiredness (p = 0.021), anxiety (p = 0.013), shortness of breath (p = 0.016), and a marked increase in feelings of well-being (p = 0.002). In the reflective writing group, there was a significant reduction in anxiety (p = 0.05). Conclusion Overall, both tile painting and reflective writing initiatives resulted in improved patient experience and sense of wellness. The tile painting activity led to a greater number of improved symptoms, whereas reflective writing led to a singular reduction in anxiety, illustrating perhaps the different mechanisms by which these activities foster healing. The tile painting may have served to distract the patient from the gravity of the current illness; its free-form nature allowed participants to be creative with pleasant imagery of their choice, and finishing a work of art perhaps elicited a sense of accomplishment. In comparison, reflective writing may have allowed patients to process their experience of living with their illness and delve deeply into emotional states, fostering a sense of resilience and introspection. Taken together, the specific mechanisms by which these activities provide solace may explain the differential nature of these contrasting yet ultimately beneficial therapies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Co-leading for community building: A program description of a dual-modality creative arts therapy group in psychiatric emergency care

This article describes a dual-modality group, created and co-led by an art therapist and a dance/movement therapist, designed to build a sense of community among patients in a child and adolescent comprehensive psychiatric emergency program (CPEP). This program description begins to address the dearth of literature published on the provision of therapy in psychiatric emergency care by describing the goals, methods, interventions, and observations of the therapists, including the benefits of integrating two creative arts modalities by co-leaders. The method of beginning with a dance/movement therapy segment, followed by an art therapy segment to build upon themes developed during the dance/movement, and concluding with verbal processing, was observed to provide an effective structure for building community and mitigating specific challenges of the CPEP: short stays (up to 72 h), ability of patients to feel safe amid constant group population changes, a large age range, diverse diagnoses, varied trauma experiences, and necessary emergency room care interruptions. A description of a Community Building group session is included to illustrate the practices and observations discussed in the article.