Bob Ross and mural making with patients

When I first started working at the hospital, I ran a mural group to help the patients with their interpersonal skills as well as make a group mural that could be displayed in the hospital. Each group that I ran had difficulty making decisions in order to actually complete a group mural. Recently, a patient became interested in learning to paint via Bob Ross DVDs. He became proficient in the techniques and got peers interested in painting. A small group of patients decided to paint a mural using a Bob Ross instructional DVD. They were able to work together and complete a 4'x6' mural in about 10 hours. They got a couple of other patients interested in mural painting, and they recently completed their 3rd mural. The first one is hanging in the Visiting Room as a backdrop for photos. The use of the DVDs ensured success and prevented the need for a group leader to make compositional or technical decisions. The patients worked companionably, helping and supporting each other. This was a helpful tool to use with populations that are narcissistic or otherwise have difficulty working with others. 

Mural Group

Today I filled in for the facilitator of the Mural group, and I was discussing with other staff the benefits of such an Art Therapy group. The patients have the opportunity to work on their interpersonal skills by working together. They have to figure out the theme of the mural, the composition, what images will be incorporated into it, who will work on what parts, etc. Sometimes it can be frustrating if there is no clear leader or if all the group members have controlling tendencies, as sex offenders often have. It's also challenging when the participants have different artistic abilities. The patients are encouraged to use problem solving, team work, and supportive words.