Art therapy intervention for stress alleviation and burnout recovery in healthcare workers

The purpose of this study is to develop an art therapy-informed curriculum that addresses stress and burnout-induced symptoms frequently experienced by healthcare workers. Existing research on burnout, common stressors, significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and other relevant mental health outcomes are highlighted to underscore the professional and personal consequences of chronic stress in healthcare workers. The presented curriculum aimed to prevent and reduce such outcomes and to provide psychoeducation to healthcare professionals and organizational leaders. This program specifically explored the potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy by enhancing concepts and techniques with art therapy practice. Targeted outcomes for this curriculum include increased psychological flexibility, nonjudgmental perspective, reframing and problem-solving skills, adaptive coping strategies, peer support, and positive self-esteem.