We describe the use of responsive art therapy in an inpatient child and adolescent mental health services unit, including its acceptability rated through a satisfaction questionnaire.
Methods:
A patient satisfaction questionnaire was developed to collect feedback from 46 adolescents. Images from therapy were photographed and collated looking for patterns across diagnoses and stages of treatment.
Results:
Adolescents reported that art therapy helped them learn how to express themselves safely (80%) and understand how their thoughts related to their feelings (78%).
Conclusions:
Responsive art therapy was a useful strategy to support the safe expression of distress and was seen as a positive experience by adolescents in inpatient mental health care.
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