Men's views around Forensic Art Psychotherapy for Psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Men’s Understanding of the Factors Promoting Involvement and Engagement with Art Psychotherapy for Psychosis in Inpatient Secure Services
IRAS ID
335925
Contact name
Rosalind Ellis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Sitting opposite a therapist and asking for support can be extremely difficult. In particular, people who have had experiences associated with psychosis, such as paranoid thoughts, experiencing things others do not, and unusual beliefs, may find it difficult to speak with a therapist. Additionally, men who have had difficult experiences, navigated negative male stereotypes, and committed criminal acts, may not feel safe with a therapist, nor able to express their emotions. Services are in need of an innovative therapy that is accessible for men in forensic settings with specific shortfalls in emotional literacy, expression, and insight.
Art Psychotherapy (AP) is a recommended and effective treatment for psychosis that has recently been introduced to forensic services. It empowers service users through collaboration, creating shared language using art materials, and exploring identity. Current literature describes AP working through the therapeutic relationship; the therapist’s role in supporting service users through the process; the process of creating art; the creation of the final art products; and the benefits of group therapy. Interviewing service users for their understanding around why they initially engage and what keeps them coming might offer an alternative and more accurate view of their active participation. Participants for interviews would be subject to inclusion criteria including that they identify as a male, are mentally capable and have informed consent, have had experienced related to psychosis, and have taken part in an art psychotherapy intervention. Reflexive thematic analysis of the interview transcripts would shed light on these men's views. This study hopefully will influence the recent application of AP in forensic services to better meet the needs of the client group, providing focus and increasing efficiency. In turn, this will offer improvement of the mental health and wellbeing of this population. It may also endorse the implementation of further arts therapies.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0157
Date of REC Opinion
17 May 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion