The DIS-ART Creative Journey, Art Therapy for Persons With Disabilities: Adaptation of the Creative Journey

Abstract

This article describes a 10-session group art therapy program for people with physical and neurological disabilities. This program, the DIS-ART Creative Journey, was adapted from the Creative Journey used with cancer patients, and was tested in Italy by 4 art therapists. The 5-step structure of each session and the 10 facilitating techniques used for image making are explained. All 55 participants engaged in image making and 50 out of 55 were observed to show some improvement using our evaluation measures. Completing 2 cycles of the program provided increased benefit for participants.

Funding

This program was supported by a grant from The Italian Ministry for Equal Opportunities (I.D. 15 DIS-ART, G.U. #106, 9.9.2011).