Creative Interventions for Mental Illness: Painting with Peers

 

 

Summer S. Fritz
Prof. Aaron Fine and Dr. Bridget Thomas, Faculty Mentors

Research in Art therapy and other creative interventions for mental illness have increased in recent years. There are several therapy programs with resources ranging from paints, writing, or music. It allows researchers, such as Stepney and Ziff, to study expressive arts therapy while considering patients’ diverse backgrounds. However, it’s difficult to determine if some programs are effective due to the lack of extensive research in the field. This study shows how expressionistic creativity impacts participants by creating an art project based around a prompt. I will analyze how their creations impact their subconscious before and after the activity. While considering other art therapy programs, I will show how they benefit patients’ moods, coping techniques, and recovery through physical and mental ailments so future studies can help patients transition away from risky behaviors. Comparing this study to previous studies could be beneficial and create more options for current therapy programs.

 

 

Keywords: Creative Interventions, Art Therapy, Mental Health

Topic(s):Studio Art
Interdisciplinary Studies
Psychology

Presentation Type: Poster

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA