Overrepresented and Underserved: A Humanistic Art Therapy Group Proposal for Queer Youth in Out of Home Care

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to explore existing literature on the clinical needs of queer youth in out-of-home care and propose an evidenced-based art therapy group for this population. A traditional literature review was used to gain an understanding of the needs of queer youth, protective factors, minority stress and resilience, and therapeutic approaches. The thematic analysis found queer youth in out-of-home care have experienced more disruption in the development of their physiological needs. These findings were used in the development of a six-level group art therapy proposal for queer youth in out-of-home care. The proposal addresses the needs, challenges and strengths of the population and provides art directives, materials, goals, themes, psychoeducation, and processing questions. The implications of this group proposal are to support this population through research and resources and create more evidenced based approaches for their needs.