Group Art Therapy and Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Study

With the high number of soldiers returning from war in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with this population, it is necessary to explore creative treatment solutions. The current study looks at the implementation of a group art therapy approach as part of an interdisciplinary inpatient treatment program for Canadian veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The purpose of the study is to assess the applicability of an art therapy intervention with this population. The study presents a review of the existing literature on the use of art therapy in the treatment of PTSD, including studies with a specific focus on war veterans. It also describes the group art therapy process of seven veterans. Group art therapy was offered twice a week and qualitative data was collected over a ten week period. Data collected includes images of the art works created in therapy, therapist observations, and observations by other staff members. The process of art therapy is described and data is looked at in terms how the veterans engaged with the process and the issues and emotions expressed in their art making. Potential benefits are explored.