Safety in a person-centred, garden-based art therapy group for people with dementia.
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| Title: | Safety in a person-centred, garden-based art therapy group for people with dementia. |
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| Authors: | Clarke, Jenny (AUTHOR) jenny@thymearttherapy.co.uk, Crosbie, Alison (AUTHOR), Green, Kaya (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | International Journal of Art Therapy: Inscape. Mar2025, Vol. 30 Issue 1, p36-45. 10p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Group psychotherapy, *Communication, *Art therapy, *Case studies, Treatment of dementia, Safety, Nature, Psychological safety, Self-control, Patient-centered care, Conceptual structures |
| Abstract: | Background: This article describes a garden-based art therapy group for people with dementia and sets out to explore the factors that created a sense of psychological safety. We explore the theory around a person-centred approach and working outdoors in a garden. Context: The authors worked together to facilitate an ongoing, open art therapy group, which met weekly in a community garden. This was a unique setting for art therapy, presenting both benefits and challenges in facilitating a sense of safety. Approaches: We used feedback gathered from group members and artwork during sessions and from individual interviews. We also drew on vignettes from the group and our own observations. Outcomes: Although there were challenges to working in a garden, there were many benefits. Through providing familiarity and consistency we offered a safe space. Our person-centred approach meant we could offer participants opportunities for expression, communication and experiences of being valued, independent and successful in their art-making. In addition, key factors in creating a sense of safety seemed to be the regulating effects of being outside in a non-clinical space, and the inspiration and focus provided by being in a garden. Implications for practice: Using settings that may have previously not been considered for art therapy could bring benefits outweighing the challenges they present. Implications for research: More research is needed in the areas of outdoor art therapy and art therapy groups for people with dementia. Plain-language summary: Creating a sense of psychological safety was necessary in garden-based art therapy for a group of people with dementia. This practice paper describes an ongoing, open, in-person group, which met weekly in a community garden. The three authors facilitated the art therapy group using a person-centred approach to connect with group members and understand their needs. They explore the factors that contributed and detracted from a sense of safety in this setting. The observations of the co-facilitators, as well as feedback from clients, suggested that the garden setting was calming and added focus and inspiration. The art therapists' person-centred approach led to experiences of success and being valued as well as increases in communication and self-expression. The benefits of using alternative, outdoor settings may outweigh the challenges they present, though more research in this area is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | Background: This article describes a garden-based art therapy group for people with dementia and sets out to explore the factors that created a sense of psychological safety. We explore the theory around a person-centred approach and working outdoors in a garden. Context: The authors worked together to facilitate an ongoing, open art therapy group, which met weekly in a community garden. This was a unique setting for art therapy, presenting both benefits and challenges in facilitating a sense of safety. Approaches: We used feedback gathered from group members and artwork during sessions and from individual interviews. We also drew on vignettes from the group and our own observations. Outcomes: Although there were challenges to working in a garden, there were many benefits. Through providing familiarity and consistency we offered a safe space. Our person-centred approach meant we could offer participants opportunities for expression, communication and experiences of being valued, independent and successful in their art-making. In addition, key factors in creating a sense of safety seemed to be the regulating effects of being outside in a non-clinical space, and the inspiration and focus provided by being in a garden. Implications for practice: Using settings that may have previously not been considered for art therapy could bring benefits outweighing the challenges they present. Implications for research: More research is needed in the areas of outdoor art therapy and art therapy groups for people with dementia. Plain-language summary: Creating a sense of psychological safety was necessary in garden-based art therapy for a group of people with dementia. This practice paper describes an ongoing, open, in-person group, which met weekly in a community garden. The three authors facilitated the art therapy group using a person-centred approach to connect with group members and understand their needs. They explore the factors that contributed and detracted from a sense of safety in this setting. The observations of the co-facilitators, as well as feedback from clients, suggested that the garden setting was calming and added focus and inspiration. The art therapists' person-centred approach led to experiences of success and being valued as well as increases in communication and self-expression. The benefits of using alternative, outdoor settings may outweigh the challenges they present, though more research in this area is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 17454832 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/17454832.2024.2412548 |
