The contribution of online art therapy during the pandemic: an experience with users of a public health service in Chile

Abstract

The present work reports an experience of an online art therapy and emotional support workshop, developed during the pandemic, to a group of users referred by the psychosocial team of the mental health area of a primary care health center in the metropolitan region of Santiago de Chile, whose mental health condition had become more complex in the health context. Of the eleven users referred, only seven agreed to participate in the workshop, four women and three men. The methodology used was participatory, with the art therapists acting as facilitators of the group meetings. A total of seventeen sessions of two hours each were held – the first twelve being held once a week, while the last five, from August to December 2021, once a month, thus initiating the closing process. The workshop had very good results and adherence by the participants. Among the positive results, the following stand out: the creation of a network of support among the participants, which made it possible to reduce the intensity of the feeling of social isolation. At the same time, it allowed the creation of a safe space that enabled the participants to express the feelings and emotions experienced during this period. On the other hand, the challenges that arose during its development include the adaptation of the the art therapy framework to the online modality, as well as the scarcity and lack of diversity of art materials.