Creating an art therapy anger management protocol for male inmates through a collaborative relationship
A training partnership was established with the Florida Department of Corrections in 2003, and over the ensuing years, art therapy graduate student interns from Florida State University's Graduate Art Therapy Program have been placed in local prisons at different times. The art therapy interns worked closely with psychologists to alleviate and redirect aggression by integrating cognitive-behavioral techniques with art therapy directives. A curriculum called "The Art Therapy Anger Management Protocol" was developed, consisting of a combination of workbook exercises and art tasks to develop and increase the participants' anger management skills.
In one of the therapy lessons, inmates were given construction paper and glue and instructed to create a “vehicle that could move on land using these two materials.” The vehicles symbolized each inmate’s thoughts and beliefs that "drove" them to anger. After creating a vehicle that could travel on land, the inmates were instructed to make changes to their vehicle so it could float or fly, allowing it to take an alternate path. Making changes to the vehicle served as a metaphor for changing thoughts and beliefs in order to gain a sense of control over their emotions.
On a survey conducted at the end of the 13-week process, one participant wrote “I wouldn’t be able to put in words how much this class has already helped my life and decision making skills.”
Experiment lead by MJ Breiner, conducted at Wakulla Corectional Institution, FL, USA
A training partnership was established with the Florida Department of Corrections in 2003, and over the ensuing years, art therapy graduate student interns from Florida State University's Graduate Art Therapy Program have been placed in local prisons at different times. The art therapy interns worked closely with psychologists to alleviate and redirect aggression by integrating cognitive-behavioral techniques with art therapy directives. A curriculum called "The Art Therapy Anger Management Protocol" was developed, consisting of a combination of workbook exercises and art tasks to develop and increase the participants' anger management skills.
In one of the therapy lessons, inmates were given construction paper and glue and instructed to create a “vehicle that could move on land using these two materials.” The vehicles symbolized each inmate’s thoughts and beliefs that "drove" them to anger. After creating a vehicle that could travel on land, the inmates were instructed to make changes to their vehicle so it could float or fly, allowing it to take an alternate path. Making changes to the vehicle served as a metaphor for changing thoughts and beliefs in order to gain a sense of control over their emotions.
On a survey conducted at the end of the 13-week process, one participant wrote “I wouldn’t be able to put in words how much this class has already helped my life and decision making skills.”
Experiment lead by MJ Breiner, conducted at Wakulla Corectional Institution, FL, USA
The inmates discovered art as a means of self expression. Art therapy offers inmates a temporary relief from their bleak and restrictive surroundings. It also offered them an opportunity to connect with others and express themselves freely. This rehabilitative program is energy in the right direction in dealing with the huge issue of mental health within the American prison system.