Care in the creative community:

When individuals experience psychosis for the first time, the impact on their lives and relationships can be complex and challenging to navigate. Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) sites provide collaborative care that encourages individuals and their families to become active participants in their recovery plan. Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CTR) is a therapeutic approach to serious mental illness that activates the resilience of patients through individualized engagement with their interests and goals. Through this social and interpersonal engagement, CT-R activates the adaptive mindset of individuals living with psychosis. This in turn helps to reduce both positive and negative symptoms, improving overall quality of life. Art Therapy based in museum and community arts spaces helps people to connect with themselves and others, generating a sense of community, purpose, and satisfaction in their lives. Limited research exists on the use of Art Therapy within the CT-R treatment model, and on the juncture of FEP and Museum-Based Art Therapy interventions. Additional research is needed to establish ethical treatment guidelines for the use of Art Therapy in FEP care. In this research paper, I seek to provide a resource for helping professionals in the FEP treatment space. This resource guide will establish the benefits and best practices for community arts engagement in the treatment of individuals living with psychosis.