Art therapy takes off in hospitals, but practitioners flag concerns over lack of regulation

Key Concepts

• Art Therapy: A mental health treatment utilizing creative processes to improve mental and emotional well-being.
• Non-Verbal Approach: Utilizing artistic expression as a primary means of communication and emotional processing.
• Regulation (of Art Therapy): The absence of standardized qualifications and oversight for practitioners in Singapore.
• Culturally Relevant Materials: Utilizing art supplies and themes that resonate with a patient’s cultural background.
• Trauma Processing: Utilizing art therapy techniques to safely explore and address traumatic experiences.

Increased Uptake of Art Therapy in Singapore Hospitals

Art therapy is experiencing a significant rise in popularity within Singaporean hospitals as a supportive mental health intervention. Referrals for art therapy sessions at Woodlands Hospital have increased by 25% since last year, and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has seen a 20% increase in sessions since 2023. This overall trend represents a three-fold increase in uptake since 2019. The IMH attributes this growth, in part, to increased public awareness generated by research presented at conferences and seminars.

Therapeutic Applications and Techniques

Art therapy employs a diverse range of materials tailored to patient needs. For elderly patients, Woodlands Hospital utilizes “culturally relevant materials” such as beans, beads, and bic painting to provide “cognitive stimulation.” Clay is frequently used as a therapeutic medium, as its tactile nature can help patients process trauma by activating memories in a “safe manner.” This is particularly valuable for individuals who struggle to verbalize their experiences or find discussing sensitive topics difficult.

The core principle of art therapy lies in its “widely applicable” and “non-verbal approach,” making it suitable for diverse populations, including children, the elderly, and patients in palliative care. The therapy combines “slow, guided conversations” with “activities to soothe the senses” to facilitate emotional understanding and healing. As stated by practitioners, the modality emphasizes “both verbal and non-verbal approach.”

Concerns Regarding Lack of Regulation

Despite its growing acceptance and demonstrated benefits, art therapy in Singapore currently operates without formal regulation. This lack of oversight raises concerns about the quality of care provided. A key issue is that individuals without adequate “experience, training, [or] clinical experience” may attempt to practice art therapy, potentially offering ineffective or even harmful interventions. As one expert notes, unqualified practitioners may simply engage in “talk and doing some art” without understanding the “framework and rationale behind all the activities.” This can lead to “suboptimal” outcomes, ranging from no benefit to actively worsening a patient’s emotional state due to inadvertently triggering sensitive emotions.

Safeguards and Future Directions

Some healthcare institutions are proactively addressing the lack of regulation by implementing internal safeguards. SingHealth, for example, requires art therapy practitioners to hold at least a Master’s degree from a recognized institution. Furthermore, they emphasize “close supervision” to ensure the quality and benefit of each session.

The art therapy community in Singapore is actively working to promote research and public awareness, with the goal of establishing art therapy as an “essential part of patient” care, rather than a supplementary add-on. Miss Ton, an art therapist, is leading these collaborative efforts.