Modelling in art therapy - A sculpture project at a psychiatric hospital

Therapeutic modelling has found little attention in the literature. For the first time, the present article reports about sculptural work in psychiatr ic art therapy. Since 1994 the Psychiatric Hospital Kilchberg/Zurich is car rying out a sculpture project, in which about 30 patients work with sand- o r limestone for 21/2, hours daily, cared for by eight therapists and protec ted by detailed safety regulations. At the beginning and the end of each af ternoon the patients stand in a circle to communicate inner mood and ideas about the work. An exposition at the end of the project gives the opportuni ty to demonstrate the sculptures to family, friends and clinical staff. Unt il now there have been only positive experiences, which speak in favour of a wider use of sculpture in psychiatric art therapy. Sculptural work stimul ates the vitality of the patients, who are challenged to use their willpowe r adaptedly and rhythmically. Especially on patients with autodestructive t endencies sculptural work seems to exert a beneficial influence.