What aspects of an art therapy group aid recovery for people diagnosed with psychosis?

Abstract

In the light of current UK national guidelines, this paper considers how outpatient art therapy groups can reverse the development of the pervasive effect of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Five therapeutic aspects are identified that lead to improvement in the mental health and quality of life for group members. Theoretical understanding based on clinical experience from the 1980s and 1990s is revisited and presented again to reflect current research, understanding and scientific evidence from the neurosciences, in particular through the concept of mentalization.

Key words: Schizophrenia, outpatient, mentalization, neuroscience, attachment theory