Art therapy in a Crisis Resolution/Home Treatment Team: report on a pilot project

ABSTRACT

Art therapy has been held to be a helpful intervention for individuals in acute mental health states. However, while many such individuals are now treated in their own homes by Crisis Resolution/Home Treatment Teams (CRHTTs), acute art therapy provision has remained hospital based. It seems possible therefore that some individuals may be missing out on a helpful intervention at a time of great distress and vulnerability. This article describes a pilot project aimed at addressing this assumed shortfall in provision. One art therapist offered an average of two sessions per week to CRHTT patients as an integrated part of their CRHTT treatment. The article describes clinical and organisational aspects of the pilot, and offers initial findings on the therapeutic process, on outcomes and on the competencies required for this type of work.

KEYWORDS:

• Art therapy
• Crisis Resolution
• Home Treatment
• acute mental illness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Tim Wright has worked as an Art Psychotherapist in adult mental health since 1996. He is currently Head of Arts Therapies for Local Services, West London Mental Health Trust. Tim is also Chair of the British Association of Art Therapists.

Tanya Andrew is an Art Psychotherapist working in adult mental health for the NHS. Tanya has a B.A. (hons) in Critical Fine Art Practice from Central Saint Martins Art College and an M.A. in Art Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths University. She is a co-founder of COATS (Community Outdoor Art Therapy Service) and of the Artist's collective Winnicott Wednesdays.