Mental Health Recovery Through "Art Therapy": A Pilot Study in Portuguese Acute Inpatient Setting

Art therapy is associated with a reduced rate of restrictive practices on an inpatient child and adolescent mental health unit

“…The established benefits of art therapy in adult inpatient mental health services include developing greater self-awareness, social connection, self-expression, creativity, self-regulation, relaxation, and empowerment (Chiu et al, 2015;Dick, 2001;Laranjeira et al, 2019;Scope et al, 2017;Uttley et al 2015). While the literature on child and adolescent mental health indicates similar benefits to adult cohorts, it tends to focus on either specific therapeutic interventions or techniques in an inpatient setting (Nielsen, 2018;Nielsen et al, 2019;Lyshak-Stelzer et al, 2007;Wyder, 2019) or broad approaches to art therapy in child and adolescent mental health (Case & Dalley, 2007;Malchiodi, 2015;Rubin, 2005).…”

Women Supporting Women: The Use of Art With Anxious/Depressed, Urban, Impoverished, Ethnically Diverse Women

“…Art therapy has been described as “using painting, clay work, and other creative visual art-making (including creative digital media) as a form of nonverbal expression in conjunction with other modes of communication within a therapeutic relationship in an appropriate therapeutic setting” (Scope et al, 2017, p. 26). The literature suggests an art intervention might be professionally led albeit by a variety of providers with varying qualifications (Chiang et al, 2019; Laranjeira et al, 2019; Poulos et al, 2019; Scope et al, 2017), consumer led (Bone, 2018), or the person responsible for the art-making may not be described (Vaartio-Rajalin et al, 2020). Art interventions have been explored in various populations, including persons living with mental illness (Bone, 2018; Chiang et al, 2019; Dunphy et al, 2019; Jensen & Bonde, 2018; Jensen et al, 2016; Laranjeira et al, 2019; Uttley et al, 2015; Van Lith, 2015), African American women who are homeless (Moxley et al, 2011), chronically and terminally ill older adults (Vaartio-Rajalin et al, 2020), persons with dementia (Camic et al, 2014), adults with chronic pain (Kim et al, 2020), adult cancer patients (Kim et al, 2018; Lawson et al, 2016; Lee et al, 2017; Wood et al, 2013), and current/former mental health service users seeking to support their current role as mental health support workers (Casey & Webb, 2019).…”

“…Multiple benefits of art interventions have been identified. These include increased well-being (Bone, 2018; Camic et al, 2014; Crone et al, 2018; Jensen & Bonde, 2018; Laranjeira et al, 2019; Poulos et al, 2019), enhanced self-worth and recognition of one’s strengths (Bone, 2018; Dunphy et al, 2019; Scope et al, 2017; Vaartio-Rajalin et al, 2020), empowerment (Bone, 2018; Dunphy et al, 2019; Poulos et al, 2019; Scope et al, 2017), increased social connection (Camic et al, 2014; Dunphy et al, 2019; van de Venter & Buller, 2015), coping (Van Lith, 2015; Wood et al, 2013), gaining perspective (Dunphy et al, 2019; Scope et al, 2017), relaxation and distraction (Bone, 2018; Scope et al, 2017), and personal achievement (Poulos et al, 2019; Scope et al, 2017). Several potential harmful outcomes to an art intervention were identified as well including activation of emotions that were not resolved, anxiety, and pain (Scope et al, 2017).…”