Group art therapy is a method of therapy involving creativity and art. It uses various forms of art, music, literature, dance, theater, and more. Group art therapy also teaches how to build rewarding relationships between participants in a group.

• develops compassion and mutual understanding
• facilitates integration internally and with others
• gives tremendous motivation and increases participants’ involvement in group activities
• develops social skills, verbal and non-verbal forms of communication
• is an ideal solution when there are difficulties in a group due to; inability to adapt, establishing and maintaining contacts, or a high level of tension. During the class, everyone feels heard and supported, and no one is judged
• helps you see and find solutions to existing conflicts.

It is not necessary to have artistic talent or an artistic sense to participate in art therapy. What is important is the creative process itself and not the end result. Creative work combined with dialogue helps you better understand yourself, your emotions, and behaviors. In addition, working in a group encourages deeper reflection, which enables the desired change to occur.

For who?

• For students in classes with mixed nationalities (i.e. Polish, Ukrainian)
  • For classes wishing to deepen or improve communication with each other and/or the teacher
  • For refugees from Ukraine experiencing difficulties adapting to life in a new country, integrating into a class, or needing other support

How is it done at TUTU?

Group art therapy at the TUTU Center accomplishes its goals through the visual arts, often using elements of:

• Active music therapy (singing, playing instruments, movement with music improvisation) and receptive music therapy (listening to music, relaxation, visualization, imagination training)
• Drama therapy (playing various social roles in improvised situations, pantomime)
• Choreotherapy (dance, movement)
• Book therapy (the use of selected or specially created reading materials for therapeutic purposes, such as fairy tales)

The starting point for the design and implementation of the classes is the diagnosis of the groups needs and goals. The classes are based on the developmental and therapeutic effects of art and the creative process, but also often on the experience of being in a group of siblings with similar challenges, goals, needs, at a similar developmental age, where a sense of community, acceptance, and self-worth can be (re)built.

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