Innovative Art Therapy Activities Used by Undergraduate Student Nurses with Mental Health Patients

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe specific art therapy activities that student nurses may use as intentional communication tools when interacting with mental health patients in the clinical setting. The suggested art therapy activities in this paper reflect a review of the evidence as well as over 30 years of nursing faculty field experience in the mental health clinical setting. Student nurses can use basic coloring or drawing activities to enhance communication with mental health patients. For purposes of this discussion, art therapy is defined as the usage of crayons, coloring, paper, and drawing.