Expressive arts group therapy with middle-school aged children from military families

This article describes the development and implementation of an eight-session expressive arts group therapy provided at a middle school on an active military base with youth from active military families. The structure and process of expressive arts group therapy is described with reference to goals and objectives and the integration of the multi-modal expressive arts approach within a psychosocial developmental model relevant to the middle school youth. Principles from expressive arts therapy are also discussed and illustrated in the description and discussion of the eight sessions of the group therapy process. The reader is informed as to the value of group therapy to this age group, and its relevance to middle school aged children from military families. A brief review of literature on issues relevant to military families and middle-school aged children is also included.

► This is a descriptive article with implications for further research on the efficacy of using expressive arts-based group interventions with a specific population (military dependents).
► The authors provide a review as well as reference several key articles from the existing literature on expressive arts therapy, group therapy, and developmental needs of this population (middle-school aged children).
► The authors also present a summary of the current literature that highlights the mental and behavioral health issues impacting the dependents of our active duty military personnel.