Art Therapy Intervention Research Articles

An art therapy intervention for symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety among Syrian refugee children

ABSTRACTThis study first examined the prevalence of psychological symptoms among Syrian refugee children (N = 64) and assessed the effect of an art therapy intervention on post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety symptoms. The Stressful Life Events (SLE) Questionnaire was used to measure stressful and traumatic experiences. The main outcome measures were UCLA Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Parent version, Child Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Scale. After the baseline assessment, a five-day art therapy intervention, which is based on Skills for Psychological Recovery, was implemented. Findings of the study indicated that 60.3% (N = 35) of Syrian children who participated had high risk to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to the SLE scale. The 23.4% of the children had PTSD symptoms while the 17.6% showed severe depression symptoms. Moreover, the 14.4% of the children showed severe levels of state anxiety symptoms and the 31.1% showed severe levels of trait anxiety symptoms. Findings of the study indicated that trauma, depression and trait anxiety symptoms of children were significantly reduced at the post-assessment. However, for state anxiety scores, significant differences between pre- and post-assessments did not appear. Therefore, it could be said that art therapy may be an effective method to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and trait anxiety symptoms among refugee children.

Art Therapy for Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Comprehensive Neurorehabilitation-Informed Approach to Treatment

I describe an approach to art therapy treatment for survivors of traumatic brain injury developed at a rehabilitation facility for adults that serves inpatient, outpatient, and long-term residential clients. This approach is based on a review of the literature on traumatic brain injury, comprehensive neurorehabilitation, brain plasticity, and art therapy, as well as personal experiences working with clients. There is a paucity of recent art therapy literature on working with this population, and given the continually advancing knowledge of the brain and its plastic qualities, attention to a framework for treatment is needed. The comprehensive neurorehabilitation art therapy treatment approach presented is tailored to accommodate clients' individualized presentations while following the goals and core guidelines of brain injury rehabilitation.

Influence of art therapy in complex treatment on the quality of remission in patients with recurrent depressive disorder

IntroductionAccording to studies done in recent years regarding the treatment of patients with recurrent depressive disorder, a shift of interest from studies evaluating the effectiveness of therapy to the study of remission is seen. According to the literature, complete remission occurs in only 40–50% of patients, in other cases there is residual symptoms.AimsEvaluating the effectiveness of art therapy in treatment in patients with recurrent depressive disorder on the quality of remission.MethodsThe study involved 135 patients: 60 male and 75 female patients aged from 18 to 30 years old. The main group of patients apart the combined treatment also participated in group art therapy with the use of drawing techniques, while the control group – statutory standard therapy. We used clinical, psychopathological, psychodiagnostic and statistical methods.ResultsThe results of the effectiveness of art therapy in complex treatment in patients with recurrent depressive disorder is detected primarily in reducing of the level of anxiety at the early stages of treatment, as well as in reducing of the severity of anhedonia and improving the quality of life in remission period.ConclusionThese results support the use of art therapy in treatment in patients with recurrent depressive disorder during period of active treatment, and after achieving clinical remission contributes to achieving and maintaining high-quality and stable remission with full restoration of quality of life and social functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The combined arts therapies team: Sharing practice development in the National Health Service in England

The complex nature of many arts therapies interventions indicates a richness in practice development and the number of potential applications in the clinical, social and cultural sectors. There is greater opportunity to consider the overlap of shared models, skills, techniques and approaches in the arts therapies, and in a combined arts therapies team in the National Health Service (NHS) some early examples of interdisciplinary practice sharing have emerged. A number of practice-based examples are used to illustrate the work of a combined arts therapies team in the NHS in England. Combined practice developments are described, including shared therapeutic levels, shared observations, shared techniques and shared therapeutic work. It is hoped that these areas of shared development within a clinical context will lead to practice developments that support improved outcomes for clients.

Caring for the Caregivers: Building Resilience

Working with individuals who have experienced severe trauma can be traumatizing for caregivers. Recognizing the toll that such work can take can help caregivers to sustain their well-being and capacity to work. There is also evidence that such work can actually have positive effects, as caregivers develop greater capacities for resilience. Particularly important is a supportive work environment in which caregivers can share their experiences and receive support and recognition for the important work they are undertaking. This article advocates for a model of caring for the caregivers, giving as illustration a consultation with a group in Sydney, Australia, that was providing an art therapy intervention for Aboriginal preschool children living in stressful conditions.

Art Therapy for Individuals With Borderline Personality: Using a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Framework

Art therapy has shown benefits for people with borderline personality disorder and borderline personality traits by alleviating interpersonal difficulties such as affect regulation, an unstable sense of self, self-injurious behaviors, and suicidal ideation. Borderline personality disorder is currently viewed as a trauma spectrum disorder, because individuals with this condition are more likely to have experienced early trauma. Eight specific art therapy interventions that meet important treatment goals for those with borderline personality are described.

S.15.01 Modelling psychiatric endophenotypes and disrupted circuits by chemogenetic activation of dopamine neurons

Art therapy methods and approach are explored through an overview of inpatient psychiatric art therapy and a series of practice-oriented lessons. Case vignettes describe a range of highly symptomatic patients in short term treatment and illustrate art therapy interventions that take place within the inherent challenges of the workplace. Patient symptoms (such as poor reality testing, emotional distress, and lack of stimulus barrier) necessitate structured methods and extremely modest goals that focus on heightened organization, reality-orientation, self-soothing, increased attention span, and distress tolerance. The internal chaos of patients and the overstimulating hospital environment demands adaptations, and an intentional approach that accesses individuals’ strengths. The following lessons offer a structure for managing and supporting patients: 1. Focus on Under-stimulation; 2. Build Individual Strengths through Accessing Creativity When Possible; 3. Re-examine Definitions of Group Cohesion; 4. Help Patients to Gain a Sense of Control; 5. Consider the Continuum of Relational Tolerance; and 6. Encourage Reality Orientation through Art-Based Form and Content.

S.19.03 Biological dysfunction and translational aspects of mice carrying CNVs conferring high risk of schizophrenia

Art therapy methods and approach are explored through an overview of inpatient psychiatric art therapy and a series of practice-oriented lessons. Case vignettes describe a range of highly symptomatic patients in short term treatment and illustrate art therapy interventions that take place within the inherent challenges of the workplace. Patient symptoms (such as poor reality testing, emotional distress, and lack of stimulus barrier) necessitate structured methods and extremely modest goals that focus on heightened organization, reality-orientation, self-soothing, increased attention span, and distress tolerance. The internal chaos of patients and the overstimulating hospital environment demands adaptations, and an intentional approach that accesses individuals’ strengths. The following lessons offer a structure for managing and supporting patients: 1. Focus on Under-stimulation; 2. Build Individual Strengths through Accessing Creativity When Possible; 3. Re-examine Definitions of Group Cohesion; 4. Help Patients to Gain a Sense of Control; 5. Consider the Continuum of Relational Tolerance; and 6. Encourage Reality Orientation through Art-Based Form and Content.

Identity Formation: Art Therapy and an Adolescent's Search for Self and Belonging

This report illustrates a long-term case study of a Filipino adolescent who struggled with identity formation and adjustment difficulties. The intricate connection of identity, adjustment, and culture for this second-generation Filipino immigrant adolescent is discussed in relation to the approach and application of art therapy treatment. An overview of the therapeutic process is provided, with emphasis on critical junctures throughout treatment. Specific art therapy interventions are highlighted in the process of providing treatment for complex psychological issues and problems associated with social and behavioral adaptation.

Bringing art to life: An intergenerational service learning course and visual art therapy intervention for college students, persons with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and caregivers

Bringing art to life: An intergenerational service learning course and visual art therapy intervention for college students, persons with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and caregivers

Le patient dépressif en art-thérapie : évaluation des bénéfices et recommandations pratiques

ObjectivesIn the field of art-therapy, a lot of works take an interest in psychosis and mood troubles neglecting depressive troubles without psychotic symptoms, which however constitute a wide part of clinic population. The aim is to explore therapeutic effects perceived by inpatient prey to depressive difficulties, of a standardized and manualised art-therapy treatment at short and medium terms. Patients and methodsThe Mediatized Therapies Clinical Scale activities questionnaire has been applied to 15 depressive patients in hospitalization leaving and again 5 months later (follow-up). ResultsMajor benefits are located at level of motivation relaunch, emotions stimulation, other openness, ego and well-being strengthening. ConclusionsArt-therapy frame supports change processes by transfer, expression possibilities, elaboration and brooding liberation, surprise effect, learning and self-esteem healing. A synopsis of good practices for depressive (non-psychotic) patients is proposed.

Literature review of art therapy-based interventions for work-related stress

Numerous interventions have been developed to address work-related stress but evidence of their efficacy is sparse. A growing interest in the impact of the arts on well-being is reflected in arts-based interventions being used to address work-related stress, but these remain poorly evidenced. This article reviews art therapy publications describing interventions to address work-related stress and aims to ascertain the current state of practice and research within this field. Publications were organised into two categories: art therapy interventions within mental and general healthcare; and art therapy interventions within palliative and oncology care, a category that comprised nearly one-half of all publications reviewed.

Implementing psychosocial evidence-based practices in mental health: are we moving in the right direction?

Implementing psychosocial evidence-based practices in mental health: are we moving in the right direction?

Recognizing Emotions: Testing an Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

A severely impaired capacity for social interaction is one of the characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Deficits in facial emotional recognition processing may be associated with this limitation. The Build-a-Face (BAF) art therapy intervention was developed to assist with emotional recognition through the viewing and manipulating of three-dimensional facial features on a mannequin-like bust. This pilot study tested the abilities of 19 children with ASD to identify emotions depicted in facial photographs before and after a single BAF intervention session. The results indicated no statistically significant difference between the treatment and control groups; however, the treatment group had greater improvement than the control. Future research involving multiple BAF sessions is needed to test the effectiveness of BAF for promoting emotion recognition.

Piece Work: Fabric Collage as a Neurodevelopmental Approach to Trauma Treatment

This article describes the use of collaborative fabric collage based on a neurodevelopmental adaptation for an adult who was being treated for trauma. The case demonstrates the value of thinking about neurodevelopmental factors when creating art therapy interventions. A biologically respectful treatment that offers relational, relevant, repetitive, rewarding, and rhythmic activities may help ameliorate trauma by activating the limbic system and incorporating brainstem and midbrain stimulation.

집단미술치료가 학습장애 청소년에게 미치는 효과 -자아존중감과 사회성 향상을 중심으로-

Purpose. This study examines the effects of improving students self-esteem and sociability by conducting a Group Art Therapy Program for students with learning disabilities. This study focused on three students with learning disabilities, attending B middle school special education class located in K county. The study was conducted for two hours once a week (Friday) at B middle school during special education class from May 2, 2014 to July 18, 2014. Methods. For the tools of studying, Self-esteem and social strip forms/rubrics were filled, by students', before and after and data processing was inspected, paired t-Test using the SPSS / WIN (Ver.18.0) for quantitative analysis. Also, on the basis of content, analyzed data of the individuals' self-esteem social changes are shown in graph format. In addition, this qualitative study shows before and after of dynamic house, tree, person (K-H, T, P), dynamic family (KFD), dynamic school life of search phase (4-6 sessions) significant improvement of self-esteem and sociability in adolescents' with learning disabilities influenced by conducting a Group Art Therapy Program. Results. The result of this study can be summarized as follows. First, Group Art Therapy Program shows a statistically significant difference (p<.05) showing that self esteem average is 2.04 before Group Art Therapy Intervention but self esteem average is 2.92 after Group Art Therapy Intervention. Second, as a result of social strip pre-post, there wasn't statistically significant difference compared to self esteem pre-post result, although, post examination's average level was enhanced after Group Art Therapy Program in difference examination.(p>.05). Third, as a result of analysis the indicated pre-post change of Students' pre-post dynamic house, tree, person (HTP), dynamic family (KFD), a dynamic school daily life (KSD), students' family and interpersonal relationships, self-concept shows statistical significant changes. Conclusion. As the result of this study, Group Art Therapy Program shows effective improvement in students' self-esteem and social skills learning disabilities. However, a future study on larger and more diverse group of students' with learning disabilities are advised to be conducted in order to better understand the significance of the Group Art Therapy Program.

The Effect of Art Therapy on Children's Self-Concept

The success of the child's social adjustment related to the concept of self. To improve self concept interventions among others through art therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of art therapy for children's self-concept. This study was conducted using experiments and involving 21 children. Experiment in the form of art therapy treatment by using images as the media, held for five sessions, each session lasting 90 minutes. Five sessions of art therapy implementation consists of (1) the session to know yourself, (2) I am among friends, (3) I am and my surroundings, (4) I am and the Indonesian people as well as (5) my goal. Method of data collection using self-concept scale and interviews were then analyzed by t-test. The results showed that art therapy is effective to increase in the child's self-concept. Thus, if the concept of a low child, the child immediately treated the art therapy to improve the concept itself. Keywords: Children; self concept; art therapy

The Effectiveness of Art Therapy in the Treatment of Traumatized Adults

Art therapy has often been applied in the treatment of traumatized adults, and good results in clinical practice have been reported. However, although art therapy experts underline these benefits, the effectiveness of art therapy in trauma treatment has not been established by systematic review. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and evaluate empirical evidence of the effectiveness of art therapy for trauma treatment. As a result of the systematic review, six controlled, comparative studies on art therapy for trauma in adult patients were found. In half of the included studies, a significant decrease in psychological trauma symptoms was found in the treatment groups, and one study reported a significant decrease in depression. Although there are limitations in the number of included studies, the number of participants, the heterogeneity of included studies, and their methodological quality, the results contribute to insight into the effectiveness of art therapy in trauma treatment and form an evidence base for the urgent need for further research on art therapy and trauma treatment.

Posttraumatic Growth in Youth Survivors of a Disaster: An Arts-Based Research Project

Evidence that posttraumatic growth is a potential outcome in the process of recovery from trauma and natural disaster highlights the importance of social environmental factors that encourage a growth response in survivors. This art-based research project followed up on a group of youth survivors (N = 11) of the 2007 earthquake in the Ica region of Peru who had been active helpers in a 9-month art therapy intervention. The current project, taking place 3 years after the earthquake, explored how the youth perceived their posttraumatic growth and employed the arts in attributing meaning to their traumatic experiences. Participants had developed a stronger sense of life purpose, a heightened sense of perspective, and the freedom to move forward. The role of the arts in bringing comfort and joy to others, and affirming survival, was identified.

Revisiting Holistic Interventions in Substance Abuse Treatment

Holism is regarded as an effective means of alternative treatment, and there has been an increase in the number of innovative holistic treatment interventions in diverse fields of practice. Holistic practices in substance abuse treatment programs encompass therapies such as expressive therapy, art therapy, spiritual, or religious interventions; osteopathic treatment; acupuncture; and more. Although there is limited research on the effectiveness and use of holism in the field of substance abuse, there is consistent evidence of its success in other areas of treatment or counseling. A holistic perspective explains the necessity of treating all aspects of the self to improve success in treatment and altered lifestyles. A review of the benefits and types of holistic interventions in substance abuse treatment is provided, along with suggestions for future research.