ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the time when an ‘open’ art therapy group was offered for many years to those residing on the physical healthcare, rehabilitation villa, in the high secure hospitals (HSH) mental health directorate. Group members included men who had committed homicide as a result of bereavement and loss, and suffering with schizophrenia and life-threatening illnesses or disabilities at that time. Rather than just ‘killing time’, the art therapy group provided sufficient time for emotional expression and symbolic re-enactments in image-making; working through complex fears, grieving and outrage, and in coming to terms with physiological and psychological change. Long-term art therapy groups for hospitalised inpatients aim towards decreasing their sense of isolation, and alleviate hospital anxiety. The need for consistency was paramount for holding and containing death anxieties. Patients would routinely sit in their usual seats, bringing with them their mugs of tea to have alongside them.
