Abstract
Inspired by the work of A. Stern and to make maximum use of our meagre resources, we decided to experiment with free painting exercises as a therapeutic tool for children of a deprived milieu.
In a first experiment, we selected a group of children in regular school who were considered inhibited. After psychiatric and social evaluations, we discovered variable degrees of depression. At the end of the experience of free painting, the depressed traits had disappeared and the children had become more alert and bright.
This result encourages us to press on with overtly depressed children coming to the clinic for treatment. The evaluations were made in the same way as in the first experiment and the sessions of free painting were conducted also in the same way. The results were weak as for the emotional aspect but more positive as for their school functioning.
We believe that free painting may be useful and profitable as a diagnostic aide for a better therapeutic orientation and to avoid long waiting lists.