The History of Group Art Therapy with Adult Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

History is a cyclical phenomenon; by reviewing the past, we can gain knowledge to improve the future. Since art therapy was first conducted in psychiatric hospitals, it is important to reflect on the history and commemorate where art therapy initiated. Art therapists have been facilitating group art therapy with adult psychiatric patients since the 1940s (Walker, 2012). Through reviewing the history of group art therapy that has been conducted with adult psychiatric patients, current art therapists can learn from art therapists’ experience to inform current treatment. This thesis will examine the history of group art therapy with adult psychiatric patients from the 1960s to the present and explore the changes that have occurred in both the hospital setting and group art therapy structure. This thesis will also inspect the findings documented in articles about group art therapy with adult psychiatric patients as well as how the authors reported the findings.