PubMed1999
Integrative painting therapy is a therapeutic concept for the treatment of psychiatric patients. It combines medical and therapeutic treatment strategies. The painting group is the main component of this type of therapy. Its focus is to capture psychodynamic processes by means of "inner pictures". The creative process of painting causes these pictures to become visible; the pictures are then worked upon. Interpreted in accordance with specific rules, the pictures reflect the psychopathology of different psychiatric disorders as well as their development throughout the therapeutic process. The pictures also serve as a starting point for group, single or family therapy. The patients quickly gain access to their emotions and become aware of conflicts which form the basis of their psychodynamics. Their progress through therapy becomes apparent and can be documented by means of the pictures. The structured course of the painting sessions provides additional information. The integration of various aspects, e.g. the phenomenology of the pictures, statements of patients about their pictures, or the behaviour of the patients within the group, serve to increase our fund of diagnostic information. Major aspects of this therapeutic concept are the development of teamwork and the establishment of close contact within the team. This makes it possible to apply different concepts within the program, in accordance with the needs of each patient. The integration of different approaches of treatment promotes the development of a therapeutic environment that supports forces of self-healing and growth in specific stages of therapy.