Where It’s Cool to be Kitty: An Art Therapy Group for Young People with Mental Health Issues Using Origami and Mindfulness

ABSTRACT

This article describes an innovative art therapy group intervention for adolescent girls age 14 to 16 with mental health problems. The group takes place in a community mental health clinic and uses origami and mindfulness to provide a safe, therapeutic space. Participant feedback reveals positive outcomes, demonstrating helpful changes to mood and feelings after group participation. Results suggest origami to be a useful art therapy activity with this population.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescence
• art therapy
• goodbye kitty
• group work
• mental health
• mindfulness
• origami