Art Therapy Open Studio and Teen Identity Development: Helping Adolescents Recover from Mental Health Conditions

Abstract

Adolescent identity development is driven to a significant degree by peer interaction. However, when mental health conditions (MHC) or other crises separate teens from their peers, their identity development can be slowed or arrested. We developed a unique open studio intervention (OS-ID) that could facilitate identity development in teens recovering from MHC, and incorporated this intervention into a therapeutic day school catering to our target population. We utilized qualitative case study research to explore these students’ experiences. Over the 10-month period of our intervention, we saw positive changes in the participants’ identity development. Key elements in OS-ID include the therapists’ commitment to supported autonomy; the absence of participatory demands; the emphasis on creative process over product; the use of setting and materials to promote the healing process; the facilitators’ and participants’ witnessing the process; the privatization and protection of the participants’ creations; and the ubiquitous presence of non-threatening significant others. This OS-ID modality could be an effective mechanism for assisting socially isolated teens to manage their social anxiety, develop their identity, and transition back into their peer environments.

The Impact of a Creativity Camp Intervention on Depression and Well-Being in Adolescents

“…A recent systematic review of art therapy studies in youth mental health, which noted the small number of randomized controlled trials and lack of replication studies, reported that the extant literature has provided the strongest evidence for the benefit for youth who have experienced trauma (Braito et al, 2022). Less work has been done on participatory arts interventions, but initial findings from small studies suggest that these kinds of interventions can facilitate empowerment and social support (Gittings et al, 2022) and positive changes in identity development (Kelemen & Shamri-Zeevi, 2022).…”

Reducing anxiety and improving self-acceptance in children and adolescents with osteosarcoma through group drawing art therapy

“…Studies have shown that cancer patients generally have a low level of self-acceptance ( Li et al, 2010 ). Self-acceptance means that an individual can objectively accept and view himself, establish self-value based on self-recognition, respect and appreciate himself ( Huang et al, 2021 ; Kelemen and Shamri-Zeevi, 2022 ). Adolescent cancer patients are more likely to doubt their own worth and lower their level of self-acceptance ( Lewandowska et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Anxiety disorders are characterized by symptoms of anxiety, fear, nervousness, and worry, as well as physical symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and muscle tension ( Birmaher et al, 1997 ; Lewandowska et al, 2021 ). Self-acceptance means that an individual can objectively accept and view himself, establish self-value based on self-recognition, respect and appreciate himself ( Huang et al, 2021 ; Kelemen and Shamri-Zeevi, 2022 ). People with low self-acceptance develop psychological and behavioral problems such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal.…”

The Therapeutic Aspects of Embroidery in Art Therapy from the Perspective of Adolescent Girls in a Post-Hospitalization Boarding School

“…In line with the evolving understanding of mental health, there has been a significant shift in terminology at a global level. Recently, the United Nations Human Rights Council replaced the term ‘mental illness’ with ‘mental health conditions’ (MHC) [ 77 ]. This new terminology represents a transition from a medical approach to one focused on well-being and a shift in emphasis from pathology to recovery [ 78 ].…”