Artful Minds Occupational Therapy
Requirements
- No prerequisites needed
Description
This course offers a guided exploration of an innovative, evidence-based approach to integrating art into occupational therapy practice, specifically within a residential treatment setting. Based on an 8-week protocol developed during my doctoral capstone project, the course highlights how art can serve as a powerful tool for emotional regulation, coping skill development, and self-expression. With research-backed content and a structured group protocol, this course is designed for OT students, practitioners, and mental health professionals seeking to incorporate creative, therapeutic interventions into their own practice.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to plan and facilitate art-based groups, adapt interventions to meet diverse client needs, and use art as a meaningful way to build rapport and foster engagement. The course also covers how to assess group outcomes using pre- and post-measures, interpret feedback from participants, and use that data to guide and refine your approach. You’ll gain insight into how occupational therapy can support individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use disorder, and housing insecurity, while developing the confidence and tools needed to apply creative, client-centered interventions in your own setting.
Additionally, the course will show how I collaborated with clients to design and create “Recovery Corner” sensory rooms—calming spaces intended to promote emotional regulation and reflection. These rooms were a direct extension of the group work and were shaped by client input, creativity, and shared ownership of the healing environment. By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with inspiration, practical tools, and a deeper understanding of how to meaningfully integrate art and occupation in behavioral health settings.
Who this course is for:
- Graduate students in Occupational Therapy
- Health care professionals in mental health or substance use settings such as residential treatment
Instructor
Hi, I’m Krissy Prine, a doctoral occupational therapy student at Drake University. I’m passionate about using creativity in my practice and love finding ways to make therapeutic interventions both meaningful and engaging. I recently completed my capstone experience at a residential treatment facility, where I worked with individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use disorder, and homelessness. During this time, I developed and implemented an art-based OT program focused on emotional regulation, coping skills, and self-expression. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and to help others bring creative, client-centered approaches into their own work.