Evaluating an Art Therapy Program in an Outpatient Psychiatric Hospital Setting for Individuals With Mood Disorders

Authors

  • Laura Bromwich St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
  • Anastasiya Slyepchenko St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0179-2129
  • Sharon Berry St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
  • Sharon Simons St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
  • Caitlin Davey St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v57i`1.73526

Abstract

 

The aim of this program evaluation was to assess the impact of an 8-week art therapy intervention for adults in a hospital-based outpatient mood disorders clinic on depressive symptoms and overall quality of life and to examine how these symptoms may change over time by primary psychiatric diagnosis. Following a convergent mixed-methods approach, data collection included quantitative and qualitative patient feedback regarding program implementation to improve delivery. Pre- and post-treatment results from this evaluation are presented (n = 88), including patient feedback on the program (n = 34). Independent of primary diagnosis, patients experienced improvements in depressive symptoms (p < .001, ηp2 = .33), anxiety symptoms (p < .001, ηp2 = .16), and stress symptoms (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 15), as measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21. In addition, patients experienced improvement in scores on the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire—Short Form (p < .001, ηp2 = .37). Findings suggest that structured group art therapy can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and can improve quality of life in a Canadian outpatient psychiatric setting. Participants were generally satisfied with the quality of this service delivery and provided constructive qualitative feedback to help improve the service.

Author Biographies

Laura Bromwich, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Laura Bromwich (she/her) is an art therapist working in the Mood Disorders Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and a graduate of the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. She developed and implemented the art therapy protocol evaluated in this paper. She is interested in how art therapy can be utilized as an adjunctive treatment to first-line psychotherapy and how structured and skills-based learning can support self-expression and its effectiveness in treating mental health concerns.

Anastasiya Slyepchenko, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Anastasiya Slyepchenko (she/her), Ph.D., is a research associate at the Mood Disorders Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Her research focuses on using digital biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes in psychiatric disorders.

Sharon Berry, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Sharon Berry (she/her) is a registered nurse (now retired) who worked in psychiatry for over 40 years at the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital and at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She has taught cognitive behavioural therapy for depression at McMaster University for over 20 years. She had the opportunity to co-lead the art therapy groups since their inception in the mood disorders outpatient program in 2014.

Sharon Simons, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Sharon Simons (she/her) is manager of the mood disorders program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She is a registered nurse who has received certification in psychiatric and mental health nursing from the Canadian Nursing Association and who has worked in the area of mental health after pregnancy for almost 40 years. Sharon has a strong interest in program evaluation and in valuing input from patients and families. Sharon aims to work “outside the box” and meet patients where they are.

Caitlin Davey, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Caitlin Davey (she/her), Ph.D., C.Psych., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and a clinical psychologist at the Youth Wellness Centre at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. She is licensed to practise in the province of Ontario. She is interested in program evaluation activities as related to program development and improvement, and her research interests include examining spirituality and mental health and wellness.

Published

2024-07-15

How to Cite

Bromwich, L., Slyepchenko, A., Berry, S., Simons, S., & Davey, C. (2024). Evaluating an Art Therapy Program in an Outpatient Psychiatric Hospital Setting for Individuals With Mood Disorders. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 57(1), 83–106. https://doi.org/10.47634/cjcp.v57i`1.73526

Issue

Section

Articles/ Articles