Art therapy is an inclusive form of treatment designed to complement established therapeutic methods. This therapeutic process is guided by skilled art therapists and can be utilized with individuals, families, or communities. The primary goal of art therapy is to enhance cognitive abilities, motor skills, self-esteem, and self-awareness. It can greatly benefit those dealing with a variety of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, low self-worth, chronic illnesses, bipolar disorder, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, and cognitive decline.
Art therapy is applicable in many settings, including hospitals, medical treatment facilities, psychiatric institutions, schools, and other mental health programs. This versatility allows art therapists to assist individuals facing a broad spectrum of mental health issues.
Integrating art therapy into your clinical practice enables clients to explore their feelings and thoughts in ways that differ from traditional talk therapy. You may observe that some clients communicate their inner experiences more effectively through art than through verbal expression. Art therapy opens up new avenues for exploration in a safe and encouraging environment.
An interesting aspect of art therapy is that one does not need to be particularly crafty or artistic to reap its benefits. Art therapy encompasses various creative activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and collage-making. There are numerous methods for incorporating art therapy into your sessions, allowing you to tailor the treatment to the unique needs of your client.
Explore our collection of Art Therapy Worksheets
Setting Goals and Objectives in an Art Therapy Treatment Plan
When crafting your art therapy treatment plan, we recommend considering how this method can engage your client’s mind, body, and spirit. Art therapy provides unique opportunities for self-expression, often leading to different outcomes than conventional therapy methods.
While art therapy may involve activities like painting and pottery, it can also include simpler tasks. TherapyByPro offers a selection of worksheets designed for mental health professionals, including those specifically for art therapy. These worksheets can be smoothly integrated into standard talk therapy sessions to provide fresh insights into your client’s experiences. Some examples of worksheets to consider for your art therapy treatment plan are:
As you develop your treatment plan, always consider your client’s available resources, strengths, and abilities. The goals and objectives in the treatment plan should align with their current needs and be achievable within their present situation.
Essential Components of an Art Therapy Treatment Plan
In the following sections, we will refer to the TherapyByPro customizable treatment plan as a framework. This document can be tailored to fit each client’s situation and adjusted as necessary throughout their treatment journey. Read on for background information about Jane.
Jane’s Background:
Jane, a 29-year-old woman working as a graphic designer, lives independently. She has indicated a rift with her family and lacks a strong social network. Jane sought help due to ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. She reported a diminished interest in her hobbies, chronic tiredness, and motivational challenges. These issues have affected her ability to focus at work and meet deadlines. Jane mentioned that these symptoms began about six months ago and initially didn’t seem overly concerning.
She has difficulty falling asleep but tends to oversleep, waking up feeling weary. Additionally, Jane has noticed a reduced appetite, resulting in unintentional weight loss. She does not report any suicidal thoughts. Her depressive symptoms have also hindered her self-care abilities, making tasks like cooking, cleaning, and grooming difficult.
Jane expressed a strong desire for treatment and agreed to weekly individual sessions. When asked about possibly joining a support group for mood disorders, she felt too embarrassed at this moment but was open to considering it in the future. She was willing to meet with your staff psychiatrist for a full assessment and to discuss potential medication options.
Agencies Involved and Care Coordination Plans
Currently, Jane is not under the care of another agency but is scheduled to meet with the on-site psychiatrist. Coordinating care would be beneficial for comprehensive support.
Example for Jane:
Care Coordination: Dr. Smith (123)456-7890, for psychiatric evaluation and medication assessment
Clinical Diagnoses
The symptoms Jane is experiencing correspond with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Supporting signs of this diagnosis include ongoing feelings of hopelessness and sadness, fatigue, difficulty with concentration, lack of motivation, social isolation, unintended weight fluctuations, and sleep issues.
Example for Jane:
Clinical Diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, F33.1
Current Medications and Response
At this time, Jane is not on any medication. This section should be updated if she and Dr. Smith decide on any medication during her treatment.
Example for Jane:
Current Medications: None currently prescribed
Presenting Issues and Related Symptoms
This part of the treatment plan allows you to express your understanding of the case and should include pertinent details linked to the goals and objectives outlined later in the plan.
Example for Jane:
Jane is a 29-year-old woman working as a graphic designer who has been experiencing ongoing sadness and hopelessness for the last six months. She reports being distant from her family and having limited social support. Jane has lost interest in activities she used to enjoy and suffers from chronic fatigue.
These symptoms have negatively impacted her job performance, leading to missed deadlines and incomplete assignments. Jane identified poor concentration and motivation levels as significant challenges at work. She has also mentioned sleep issues, including struggles with falling asleep, oversleeping, and waking without feeling rested. Unintentional weight loss is likely due to her reduced appetite.
Jane has dismissed any concerns regarding suicidal ideation (SI) and homicidal ideation (HI). She claims not to have a background of mental health issues or treatments. Currently, she is not on any medications for her symptoms but is open to having sessions with Dr. Smith, the on-site psychiatrist. Additionally, she is willing to participate in weekly individual therapy but is not interested in joining a support group at this moment.
Goals and Objectives
In this part of the treatment plan, the focus should be on Jane’s specific symptoms and difficulties. The goals and objectives need to be achievable and tailored to her personal experiences and available resources. It is essential for her to meet these goals within a realistic timeframe to witness the benefits of her ongoing treatment efforts. This treatment plan will incorporate art therapy alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address her depressive symptoms.
Example for Jane:
Goal 1: Enhance Skills for Managing Emotions
- Objective 1: Recognize and challenge cognitive distortions that lead to feelings of sadness, using CBT strategies
- Objective 2: Create a personal toolkit with at least five practical coping strategies (e.g., grounding techniques, exercising, practicing mindfulness, making mandalas, etc.)
- Objective 3: Engage in art therapy by utilizing color and imagery to convey emotions
Goal 2: Boost Participation in Hobbies and Interests
- Objective 1: Implement behavioral activation to develop a realistic plan for enjoyable activities
- Objective 2: Incorporate art as a fun hobby
- Objective 3: Identify obstacles that prevent her from pursuing hobbies and collaboratively address these challenges with solutions.
Goal 3: Enhance Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
- Objective 1: Identify and reframe three negative core beliefs she holds about herself with CBT methods
- Objective 2: Create a self-portrait as an art therapy exercise to investigate her identity and strengths
- Objective 3: Compile a list of personal achievements that can be transformed into positive affirmations. Encourage making visual reminders of these accomplishments to display in her home.
Specific Interventions to Be Employed
This section outlines the specific methods that will be utilized to work towards the set goals and objectives.
Example for Jane:
Intervention 1:
Creating mandalas for emotional regulation
Responsible individual: Jane
Intervention 2:
Self-portrait activity and discussion
Responsible individuals: Jane and Counselor A
Intervention 3:
Maintaining a visual journal to track mood through mixed media
Responsible individual: Jane
Intervention 4:
Exercising color to convey feelings, followed by processing
Responsible individuals: Jane and Counselor A
Intervention 5:
Engaging in an emotion wheel activity
Responsible individuals: Jane and Counselor A
Involvement of Family
During her intake, Jane mentioned that she is currently distanced from her family, indicating that family involvement in her treatment isn’t necessary at this time.
Example for Jane:
Family Involvement: None currently
Additional Services and Interventions
Jane expressed openness to joining support groups for mood disorders in the future, which should be reconsidered as she makes progress in her goals. If she agrees, adjustments can then be made to include this element in her treatment plan.
Example for Jane:
Additional Services: None currently
Timeline for Completion
Given the combination of art therapy and CBT, we can anticipate that her treatment will follow a similar path to CBT for depression. Typical treatments last between 12 to 16 sessions, potentially longer depending on the situation. This section should be adaptable based on her progress in therapy.
Example for Jane:
Estimated Time for Completion: 12 weeks of 60-minute sessions, adjustable as necessary
Plans for Aftercare
In the aftercare plans segment, it is essential to outline recommendations for what should be done following treatment. This is crucial because circumstances may arise that necessitate an early conclusion to therapy. Having this section well-prepared can alleviate some challenges in such instances.
Example for Jane:
Aftercare Plans: Schedule a meeting with her primary care physician for medication management and consider a referral for outpatient mental health services
Final Thoughts on Developing a Treatment Plan for Art Therapy
We appreciate your interest in our guide on formulating an art therapy treatment plan. Art therapy is a beneficial addition to therapy sessions, suitable for individuals of all ages to help them express thoughts and emotions in new ways. Clients can enhance their self-awareness, boosting their confidence and improving self-esteem.
Exploring continuing education courses or training in art therapy can equip you with the necessary tools to effectively integrate this method into your clinical practice.
TherapyByPro is an online mental health directory that connects mental health professionals with clients in need of assistance. If you are in the mental health field, feel free to Join our community and add your practice listing here. We offer assessments, practice forms, and template worksheets for mental health professionals to enhance their services. Explore all of our mental health worksheets here.
View all of our Art Therapy Worksheets
Resources:
Information on art therapy. American Art Therapy Association. (2024, February 7). https://arttherapy.org/about-art-therapy/#:~:text=Art%20therapy%20is%20a%20mental,experience%20within%20a%20psychotherapeutic%20relationship.