What is Person-Centered Therapy

The corrections system in the United States is largely focused on punishment. Trauma-informed therapeutic services were particularly absent during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. This chapter discusses the importance and benefits of providing incarcerated persons with mental health treatment such as art therapy. The authors highlight one pilot study, which conducted an 8-week theme-based art therapy group in a women's county jail in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Participant benefits from the group correlated with three of the main goals of the incarceration system: rehabilitation, deterrence, and restoration. Participants reported multiple benefits including decreased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. A decrease in reported jail infractions among participants was also noted. The authors discuss directions for future research with this population.