An exploration of the ways in which art therapy complements and enchances cognitive-behavior therapies in the rehabilitation of violent offenders

Violent crime is a serious problem in North America. Most violent offenders have been victims of violence themselves, predisposing them to inflict harm upon others. The mental health needs of these individuals are immense; helping them restore a sense of humanity and decrease their likelihood of recidivism is a challenging and important goal. As such rehabilitation programs for this population must be carefully considered. The effectiveness of cognitive-behavior therapies (CBT) is well established within prisons. Although it is a less established approach within corrections, art therapy has also been shown as an effective intervention in the rehabilitation of violent offenders. There are art therapists who integrate CBT approaches in their practice, however these two therapeutic treatment models have traditionally been perceived as somewhat antithetical. This research seeks to explore the links between these approaches, illustrating the ways in which art therapy facilitates and enhances the goals of CBT. The aim of this study is to contribute to an awareness regarding the importance of offering the most effective, balanced, and rich treatment possible to violent offenders in order to prevent violent behavio