The mySELF group: Recreation- and art-based group therapy as adjunct treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

An emerging body of literature demonstrates the benefits of recreation and creative arts therapies as adjunct treatment for service members and Veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. The my Social life, Expression, Leisure, and Food (mySELF) group was created as an adjunct therapy option for clients receiving treatment at an operational stress injury clinic for military and Royal Canadian Mounted Police with service-related mental health conditions. This 12-week group was run by a multidisciplinary team that included psychology, nursing, therapeutic recreation, Veteran arts, nutrition services, and music therapy. Facilitators provided a variety of recreation and leisure opportunities, such as woodworking, Tai Chi, and guitar. To date, 41 clients have completed the mySELF program, and 36 provided pre- and post-questionnaire data. Most had a diagnosis of PTSD and had been in treatment for an average of 3.0 (SD = 2.8 y). Pre-, post-, and follow-up (four months post-group) testing revealed significant improvements in leisure attitudes, environmental quality of life, depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms. These promising preliminary results suggest that recreation and art can enhance mental health treatment outcomes for military members and police.