Empowering caregivers through an integrated art therapy curriculum

This paper presents a novel art therapy group curriculum designed to empower caregivers in supporting their children's mental well-being, particularly during the transition from individual therapy services. Recognizing that caregivers often feel unequipped to sustain therapeutic progress independently at home, frequently experience burnout, and return to services, this curriculum addresses a critical gap in current support systems. The impact of a lack of caregiver involvement in their child’s treatment can lead to slower progress and less effective therapy. The proposed six-week "Empower Group" integrates principles from Art Therapy Relational Neuroscience (ATR-N), Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). By combining these evidence-based frameworks, the comprehensive curriculum aims to implement a collaborative approach to enhance and strengthen caregiver-child relationships, foster a secure environment, and equip caregivers with practical skills in areas such as attunement, emotional regulation, and communication. The methodology emphasizes the use of art experientials to facilitate learning, promote self-efficacy, and mitigate caregiver stress. This structured approach seeks to ensure that therapeutic gains are maintained, ultimately improving outcomes for children and families by building caregiver confidence and competence outside of formal treatment settings.