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Background: A proportion of veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has shown reduced effectiveness of commonly offered psychotherapies in military personnel. Some research suggested the usefulness of art therapy for veterans with PTSD, but its mechanism of operation has been unclear. The current project aimed to establish participants' perceptions of any impact of group art therapy and some of the perceived mechanisms of change., Method: In a grounded theory design, single semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine veterans who had received group art therapy, two art therapists, and a veteran's wife. Interviews were transcribed and analysed., Findings: Theorised categories included (a) art therapy group as "the family", (b) "the gentle conductor", (c) trust, (d) doing the work, (e) art therapy as "a communication tool", (f) "points of recognition", (g) "making things concrete", and (h) "not a cure"., Limitations: Shortcomings included a homogenous sample who all attended art therapy alongside other interventions, reliance on subjective and unmeasured symptom change, and researcher effects related to qualitative methodology., Conclusion: The developed grounded theory is consistent with existing evidence and neuropsychological theory. Group art therapy may enable some veterans to prepare for verbal-only therapy, by offering a safe space in which to approach non-verbal traumatic and trauma-related contextual material in a controlled way. Artworks may provide a bridge to facilitate communication of experiences within subsequent verbal therapy and with loved-ones. It is suggested to replicate the project at different sites. Elements of the developed theory may be investigated further to establish its transferability., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Posttraumatic nightmares (PTN) are a frequent symptom after a traumatic event and often play part in the psychopathology of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) currently offers the best evidence for an effective treatment to reduce PTNs, although high drop-out rates are common. Art therapy in IRT may counteract this, by its indirect, nonverbal, and often playful approach that helps to break through avoidance. This case study focusses on the perception of a patient with BPD in an art therapy based IRT treatment for patients with PTNs. It tells the story of Aurelia, a 40-year-old woman who, within this treatment, processes traumatic contents of her childhood like physical and sexual violence, but also current interactional problems that manifest themselves in her nightmares. Following the IR-AT treatment for PTNs Aurelia noticed a reduction in her nightmares, was less afraid of them and felt calmer towards her trauma. She expressed herself in the art medium and by this developed more self-efficacy. Her process resulted in an integration of the trauma and a perceived decrease in borderline symptoms. Future research can build on this basis to further explore the mechanisms and effects of IR-AT for PTNs., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Psychology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Though the evidence of the role of the arts in mental health is growing, no systematic review has focused on the impact of art groups in non-clinical settings in the process of recovery following the CHIME framework., Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of engaging in community-based art groups in mental health recovery., Method: A search in five electronic databases for relevant research using quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods published between 2000 and 2019 identified nine eligible studies., Results: While there was great methodological heterogeneity, most studies were qualitative, used visual arts, facilitated by artists and assessed by mental health nurses, and took place in community locations or artistic venues. Quantitative outcomes, though few, provided evidence of increased well-being, and qualitative outcomes corresponded mostly with the recovery process of Connectedness. Additional outcomes related to the settings were a sense of safety and to the intervention: self-expression, development of skills and achievements, and the impact of final exhibitions and peer leadership., Discussion: Studies should aim at prospective designs following mixed methods approaches, with larger and gender-sensitive samples, control groups and follow-up assessments, and evaluate cost-effectiveness., Implications for Practice: Community-based art groups which increase well-being and promote connectedness should be key in recovery-action planning., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Arts therapy is a popular intervention used to work through the effects of traumatic experience. We evaluate previous reviews and report a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of arts therapy following trauma for reducing symptoms of PTSD, enhancing positive outcomes (e.g., quality of life) and decreasing negative outcomes (e.g., depression). Database searches identified 21 (N = 868) randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Outcomes were categorised as PTSD specific, positive non-PTSD specific and negative non-PTSD specific. Several moderators were tested: age, diagnosis type, trauma type, intervention instruction, control type, therapy mode and therapy duration. Overall, random-effects analysis indicated that arts therapy was favoured relative to control for positive non-PTSD-specific outcomes (g = 1.53, p < 0.001), but not for negative non-PTSD-specific (p = 0.069) or PTSD-specific outcomes (g = 0.89, p = 0.052). Regression analyses indicated that arts therapy was effective in reducing PTSD-specific outcomes in children (Z = 2.81, df = 1, p = 0.005), positive non-PTSD-specific outcomes in group-based arts therapy (Z = -2.40, df = 1, p = 0.016, I 2  = 57.33) and for reducing negative non-PTSD outcomes following acute traumas (e.g., combat-related trauma or sexual abuse) (Q = 10.70, df = 3, p = 0.013, I 2  = 77.09). We highlight the need for additional RCTs and standardised protocols to address heterogeneity. Our review provides an important benchmark for gauging the effectiveness of arts therapy in the treatment of trauma., (© 2024 The Author(s). Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Art Therapy is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Multiple modifiable risk factors exist across the lifespan to reduce dementia prevalence, and public understanding of these factors is increasing. Yet dementia is frequently misunderstood and stigmatised, and dementia prevention is not generally recognised as a health priority. Current limitations of public health campaigns for dementia prevention must be addressed and innovative alternatives developed to improve public comprehension and implementation of preventative action across all stages of life., Methods: In searching various databases and public information on dementia prevention, restraints were found in current health messaging which did not reflect the complexity of this health issue and address diversity of its impact across cultures and ages. In consultation with researchers and public health organisations, we outline four case studies in Australia where innovative arts-based approaches have been adopted and discuss the potential for arts-based approaches to address these gaps., Results: Arts-based approaches have the unique capacity to shift perceptions on ageing and dementia, overcome language and literacy barriers, represent health concerns across cultures, and actively involve individuals, communities and healthcare professionals in the process of dementia prevention. Future campaigns can engage a variety of communities and environments with art mediums suited to their preferences, capacities and efficacy., Conclusions: Recommendations include example mediums, environments and people to engage. Future research is required to understand the impact of, and to improve, the long-term adoption of innovative arts-based approaches in dementia prevention practices., (© 2023 The Authors. Australasian Journal on Ageing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AJA Inc’.)

Pediatric hospitalization is known to be associated with adverse developmental and psychosocial outcomes for young patients. Art therapy is a direct means of addressing the emotional world of the hospitalized child. However, the hospital setting sometimes requires adaptations of this practice to a short-term mode. To explore the characteristics of the adjusted short-term art therapy mode, 10 experienced art therapists who work with hospitalized children were interviewed. Results highlighted the unique aspects of working with children who enter short-term hospitalization, addressing the unknown but most likely brief duration of art therapy and the issues involved, such as the need to use problem-focused strategies, the diffused therapeutic space, interaction with a multidisciplinary staff, and parent's presence during the therapy session. Integrating the principles of art therapy with the principles of short-term therapy, this paper explores a model for carrying out short-term art therapy with children undergoing short hospitalization.

This two-part study seeks to evidence art therapy intervention for parent-infant attachment relationships, looking at improvements to wellbeing and relationships. Study one was a controlled trial with 105 participating parent/caregivers and their infants (0-3-years), identified due to concerns about their relationship. They were quasi-randomized to attend a 12-week art therapy group or treatment as usual. Measures focused on parents' wellbeing and their perceptions of their relationship with their infant. In study 2 we analyzed video footage from the first and penultimate sessions of a sample of 37 dyads, looking for observable changes in the different channels of communication upon which attachments are predicated. The controlled trial showed intervention participants had significantly improved parental wellbeing, significant increases in attachment warmth and significant decreases in intrusion. This contrasted with the control sample who showed a significant decrease in wellbeing, stable warmth, and significant increases in intrusion. The observation study showed that there was a significant increase in the communicative behaviors from the parents to the infant which would support attachments between the first and penultimate sessions. We conclude that these results make a robust case for the inclusion of art therapy within the range of interventions available for at risk early relationships., (© 2023 The Authors. Infant Mental Health Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.)

This discussion focuses on one aspect of Farber's work: the birth of the tango (this issue). The tango was created as a fusion of African and European immigrant culture in Argentina between the second half of the nineteenth century and the first twenty years of the twentieth century. The tango was one of the tools used by immigrants to socialize the pain of the loss of common roots, the lack of identity, and the sense of loneliness. The author reflects on the overlaps between tango and relational psychoanalysis, and muses on the impact of the loss of hugs and embraces in this worldwide pandemic caused by Covid and the collective trauma that it entails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arteterapia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Australasian Psychiatry is a journal that aims to provide evidence-based substance and experience-based sustenance for integrating the art and science of psychiatry. The journal focuses on clinical psychiatric practice, service delivery, and the well-being of psychiatrists and trainees. The new editorial team plans to expand the scope and reach of the journal, welcoming submissions from various fields to enrich psychiatric practice. They also aim to increase the speed of reviews and depth of expertise by involving early and mid-career clinical academic psychiatrists in new roles as Deputy and Associate Editors. The journal encourages respectful discourse and offers various submission options for papers, subject to formal peer review. The team also plans to enhance learning and discourse through podcasts and social media updates. [Extracted from the article]

Background and aim: Art therapy is a form of treatment using simple art materials. Due to the importance of this topic, many researches have been conducted in this field in recent years. Evaluating most-cited art therapy articles as the most influential articles contributes to our greater knowledge about research, topics and trends in this topic. Therefore, the aim of this research was altmetric analysis of 100 most-cited papers related to art therapy. Materials and methods: In this study, bibliometric information of 100 most-cited in the field of art therapy indexed in the Scopus database was analyzed. Then, the disease/community information was examined in each study and finally, altmetric information including data related to different functions of five categories of PlumX (Usage, Capture, Mention, Social media and Citation) was extracted and analyzed. Findings: More than 50% of articles were published in three journals. 60 authors from 17 countries and 155 different organizations participated in compiling these articles. A review of 100 most-cited articles showed that many studies of art interventions have been used for various diseases, especially various types of cancers and mental disorders. Among the five groups of altmetric indicators, the index of "Usage" is in the first rank and the indices of "Capture" and "Citation" are in the second and third ranks, respectively. The indicators of "Social media" and "Mention" have the lowest level. Conclusion: Art therapy interventions for cancer and mental disorders have received more attention from researchers, while the implementation of art therapy interventions for other diseases such as AIDS, asthma and autism was limited.

Expressive Art Therapy is an unconventional therapeutic technique that can help individuals to heal emotionally. Music, art, and creative writing can help clients to re-align their emotions and bring forth healing within themselves. Music brings people together and may evoke different emotions in each person. Art represents the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of all people by using imagery rather than words. Finally, creative writing lets intrusive thoughts out of the mind and releases them onto paper. When clients reconnect their heads and their hearts, positive emotional changes can begin in their lives.

Objective: With this research, we aim to determine the feelings, perceptions and experiences of women with breast cancer in the cancer rehabilitation process towards "paper marbling" art therapy and to examine its effect on the quality of life. Material and Methods: The research was carried out in a center affiliated to the Cancer Fight Foundation of a province in Turkey, between 10 February and 01 March 2020, using mixed method methodology. The sample of the study consisted of 14 women with breast cancer who received "paper marbling" art therapy. Introductory Information Form and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General 7 Quality of Life Scale were used to collect quantitative data. A focus group interview was conducted using the Semi-Structured Interview Form to obtain qualitative data, and the interviews were recorded. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected simultaneously and analyzed independently of each other. Results: It is determined that the quality of life of the majority of the participants was above the average. As a result of descriptive and interpretive analyzes, three themes are determined, namely self-expression, positive mood and emotional intensity. It was determined that "paper marbling" therapy help people forget the negative experiences in the cancer process and affect the quality of life of the patients by creating positive emotions such as happiness and relaxation. Conclusion: We concluded that "paper marbling" art therapy affected the quality of life by creating positive effects on patients. This research provides evidence for the effects of art therapy on the quality of life of women with breast cancer in rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiotherapy is an important modality for cancer treatment. About 50% of cancer patients receive radiotherapy, and one-third of radiotherapy recipients were identified as having unmet psychosocial needs. The unmet psychosocial needs worsen the patient's quality of life and treatment effectiveness. This review aims to identify the psychosocial needs of post-radiotherapy cancer survivors and their direct caregivers. Systematic research of Embase, Scopus and PubMed was done and 17 studies were selected for analysis. The results show that patients encounter distress and fear due to treatment immobilization and unfamiliarity with procedures respectively. Information provision is a common need raised by patients and caregivers. Patients and caregivers report relationship problems due to affected sexual functions. To facilitate future studies, solutions to each identified psychosocial need are proposed in the discussion based on the 17 selected papers and other supporting literature. This review proposes art therapy to alleviate psychological distress, and pre-treatment information sessions to reinforce information delivery. Creative interventions such as a sexual rehabilitation program are recommended. Future studies are warranted to examine the interventions and thus improve the patients' and caregivers' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This practice paper demonstrates an art therapy session that revealed the internalized monstrous and demonic identities amongst those who have sexually offended. Several of the participants represented their shadow-self as: (1) nebulous demonic self-representations, (2) internalized monstrous selves as hurtful or uncontrolled, or (3) a dichotomy of power and helplessness. Making these negative self-images visible during such an art therapy process can inform the initial step toward reconciliation, especially within the transitional space of reintegrating into society post-incarceration. Implications demonstrate the use of metaphorical expression and how such images can address the stigmatized and internalized negative self-perceptions of those who have sexually offended.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Art Therapy is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The focus of this paper is the “Emma!...” advertisement, considered particularly rich as far as the meanings conveyed, especially since it paradoxically lacks verbal communication between characters. The author’s endeavor is to delineate the plethora of signifying elements and their intended significations, touching upon aspects of psychology, marketing and communication. After a brief description of the advertisement and its underlying assumptions, we look at the reasons for empathizing and rallying with the perspective of the female character, Emma. This discussion bears on topics such as: the role of art therapy, of the tactility and tangibility of experience, the connotations of the physical objects that she uses, deemed as obsolete or vintage (authenticity, heritage, refinement etc.). The attention falling on the stereotypes foregrounded by the situation goes to show that there is a complex dynamic within which these are juggled, meant to further illustrate a critique of modern society and its postulations regarding the use of technology and human communication. In the hermeneutics of the ad, we resort to aspects from different theories of communication: the relevance of minding circularity, the appropriateness of the structuralist three-fold approach to the sign for interpretation, the transactional role analysis, and non-verbal and paralanguage considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to better understand the current practice of arts therapy in educational institutions in the Czech Republic comparing it to that in health-care institutions and other working environments. The research goal was to analyze the prevalence of the different fields of arts therapy, the main difficulties of clients, the therapeutic forms, the ways of interdisciplinary cooperation, and the groups of therapists (according to their age and duration of practice). The data collected from the first national survey using "The Practice of Arts Therapies" questionnaire were analyzed with descriptive and inductive statistics (Chi-square test). The 142 respondents who participated in the study were contacted mainly through professional associations. The significant characteristics of arts therapies in educational environments are linked to the diffusion of the respective arts therapy fields (music therapy being the most prevalent), the main difficulties of pupils (learning difficulties/multiple disabilities or no obvious problems), and to the length of practice of the respondents. The results can be used for the creation of a research-based map of Czech arts therapies in educational institutions and for further development of this area.

The article offers information on maintaining tradition and celebrating culture, origami is used in early childhood education to enhance hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, geometry, and mental concentration and is a therapeutic intervention for physical and emotional trauma. It discusses that Japanese paper folding was initially known as orikata, meaning "folded shapes."

Studio DöBra is a community-based initiative in which children (9 y/o) and older adults (mostly 80+) engaged with topics related to dying, death and loss through shared arts activities (e.g. collage, sculpture, games). In an ageing society, Sweden's end-of-life (EoL) care is increasingly professionalised and specialised, but there is little community involvement. One goal of Studio DöBra was therefore to support community engagement with EoL-related topics. Another goal was to create opportunities for interaction between children and older adults as there are few intergenerational meeting places. Two iterations of Studio DöBra were developed (2016, 2018) in different Swedish cities, utilising a community-based participatory research approach. Project groups comprised first author MK and representatives of community organisations such as meeting places for older adults, after-school centres and artistic organisations. Each iteration engaged eight children and eight older adults in a series of five workshops. This article investigates how children and older adults motivate their participation, their experiences of participating and ways in which they were affected by participation. We also investigate how parents reflect on their child's participation in Studio DöBra. Older adults, children and their parents were interviewed after each Studio DöBra. An inductive qualitative process guided by interpretive description was used to analyse the transcripts. Findings indicate that participants acted as individuals with agency in connecting across generations and in creating spaces for engaging with EoL-topics, not only in Studio DöBra but also in their social networks. Participants reflected on a changing sense of community through new intergenerational connections and social activities, and expressed a desire to maintain these. However, participants indicated sustainability challenges related to lacking agency in maintaining these spaces and sense of intergenerational community, as they rely on support from community organisations., (© 2020 The Authors. Health and Social Care in the Community published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Stress and anxiety pose a threat to college students' academic performance as well as their long-term mental and physical health, but the time constraints of a rigorous academic schedule make it difficult to offer even brief mental health interventions. A convenience sample of full-time students at a public university was recruited for a 5-week study conducted mostly using an online platform. Participants were randomly assigned to a Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT) intervention or a Neutral Clay Task (NCT). Anxiety, perceived stress, and salivary cortisol outcomes were measured. A total of n = 77 participants completed the study. The MBAT group experienced significant reductions in anxiety and perceived stress compared to the NCT group. Significant reductions in salivary cortisol were observed, but only time could be identified as a confounding variable. Art making alone is not enough to induce significant positive responses, but this study suggests MBAT can, and that an online intervention could offer feasible and accessible mental health services on college campuses. Further refinement of biological data collection and analysis is needed to determine what the mediating effects MBAT could have, if any, at the molecular level., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The paper challenges some of the social and cultural attitudes to disability today and ways in which The Arts can be used to express and bring our dreams to life. It highlights issues relating to children who need special education, children who attend special schools, children who, for whatever reason, do not attend mainstream schools. It questions whether governments regard each special needs child as "a valued member of our community". Questions explored in the paper include: Do governments ensure that special needs children are extended "every courtesy and assistance"? Does the community in general regard these young people as valued members of our society? What is the attitude of government to such children when they reach adulthood? And how does government show that it values them then? Does government in fact extend every courtesy and assistance to special needs children when they reach adulthood?

Different types of dance initiatives are being designed for people across their entire lifespan, and implemented in a wide range of health and well-being settings. The aims of these initiatives are to improve their physical and mental conditions. Research on the use of dance for health and well-being is also rapidly gaining momentum which suggests a need to value and assess the process (the dance intervention) as much as the product (the results of the research). In this position paper, I critically examine some of these issues from my own research experiences anchored in a feminist poststructuralist perspective. Using the apparently simplistic WH questions (what, where, who, when, whose) and examples from my own research, I present an overview of the field and propose some directions to take for the future. Despite the fact that the paper is anchored in the Canadian society, I believe it can find resonance in many different other cultures since the questions being asked are generic and therefore invite for contextual answers.

Common symptoms reported by cancer patients include pain, fatigue, breathlessness, insomnia, lack of appetite, and anxiety. A study conducted by an interdisciplinary research team (Nainis et al., 2006) demonstrated statistically significant reductions in these cancer symptoms with the use of traditional art therapy methods. The study found a strong correlation between the use of art therapy and a significant decrease in tiredness and anxiety. This paper reflects on the author's participation as the art therapist who conducted the art therapy interventions used in the study. It considers approaches to art therapy interventions for cancer survivors and their particular needs relative to the creative process and symptom management. The paper also discusses the question of why some cancer patients refuse art therapy when it is offered to them on the inpatient unit. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that describes the range of effects associated with the diagnoses of Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FASD itself is not a diagnosis, but rather encompasses a wide range of symptomatic behaviors that occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. The symptomatic behaviors related to FASD are a lower IQ; an impaired ability in reading, spelling, and arithmetic; and a lower level of adaptive functioning. This paper explores the use of art therapy in a residential treatment center with children experiencing both child abuse trauma and some form of FASD. It further explores how art therapy may be an effective means of treating the symptoms of this population. There is not much written on art therapy with children who have experienced trauma from child abuse or neglect along with a form of FASD. The author writes this viewpoint not only as a way to share her personal experience as a newcomer to the field of art therapy, but also as a way to reach out to other art therapists who have had similar experiences. This paper focuses on Tommy, who participated in the 9-week art therapy group the author has facilitated. (Contains 5 figures.)

This paper examines sexual identity development and the integration of art therapy in counseling with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) clients. Especially during the coming out process for LGBT clients, research has shown that levels of emotional and physical well-being decrease considerably. However, there is growing evidence in support of a relationship between personal creative expression and sexual identity, as well as between expressiveness and physical and emotional health. This paper argues that the use of art therapy during the coming out process increases wellbeing in the LGBT population. (Contains 2 footnotes.)

Recent advances in neuroscience describe the effect of experience on neural architecture. Paralleling these advances in neuroscience, recent explorations in the field of art therapy speculate on the relationship between specific therapeutic interventions and neuroplasticity, which underlies the changes in neural architecture. One such intervention, bilateral art, purposefully engages both left and right hemispheres of the brain, as well as multiple sensory systems, in responding to client-identified conflicted elements of experience. This paper summarizes experiences using bilateral art over an eighteen-month period with individuals at a university family therapy center. The bilateral art intervention was applied to a range of presenting problems including relationship issues, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Outcome measures include client reported scalings, as well as client-reported and/or therapist observed changes in behavior over time. Additionally, this paper presents indicators for the use of bilateral art an as intervention, as well as contraindications for its use. (Contains 4 tables and 4 figures.)