An activity therapy group with children in an in-patient psychiatric setting

This article describes a short-term activity discussion therapy group for severely disturbed children in an inpatient psychiatric unit. Major themes of the sessions are reported as well as clinical vignettes that assist in clarifying techniques and demonstrating the efficacy of these techniques. Co-leaders include a resident psychiatrist, a nurse, and a mental health worker; supervision is provided by a social worker. The group described is on-going at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center (Westchester Division) in the inpatient children's psychiatric unit. In summary, staff report that group members tolerate group activities better and exhibit more socially acceptable interactions.