ART THERAPY: POSSIBILITY OF CREATIVE INTERVENTION WITH ADULTS WITH SEVERE MENTAL DISORDERS

Abstract

Objective: To evidence the use of Art Therapy with adults in mental suffering due to severe mental disorders. Method: This is an integrative literature review of publications from the last ten years (from 2014 to 2024) in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The following electronic bibliographic databases were used: Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health (PUBMED). Results: A total of 21 articles were selected. Regarding the type of person with severe mental disorder, five trials explored Schizophrenia and the impact of Art Therapy on the improvement of psychotic, cognitive and functional symptoms; four studies, Depressive and Anxiety Disorders; three articles addressed Substance Use Disorders; an article for interventions aimed at Personality Disorders and; three more articles for various mental disorders. The studies highlighted the versatility of Art Therapy in diversified environments, such as day hospitals and mental health services, promoting creativity, self-knowledge and social support. Conclusion: Different clinical profiles were identified, in which Art Therapy was reported, as having positive effects on its therapeutic performance. These findings suggest that Art Therapy can be applied as a psychosocial rehabilitation program in adults with severe mental disorders.