59-05-032 Proceeding

256 Proceedings of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Congress with environment as well. Many knowledges come integrated with the treatment plan to provide responses to a different problem of an individual. Art therapy is a complementary and alternative medicine which can be integrated with the conventional medicine for treatment and rehabilitation. Because of high flexibility, it can be applied in a variety of patient groups and in different contexts. Art therapy can be applied to many different groups of patients, especially those with mental health problems, who affected by the catastrophic events, substance addicted, psychiatric patients and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Art Therapy in Thailand has been known since 1986; it is very likely that Somsree Kittipongpisal was the person who first mentioned art therapy in her book (2) . In 2008, the Art TherapyDemonstrationCenter was established under Rajanukul Institute, to conduct the research, to develop the program, and to be demonstration and training center in this field (3) (4) . Applications of art therapy in Thailand for the specific group of problems contain information that will be discussed here. Art therapy for psychiatric patients In Thailand, art therapy has been applied in psychiatric patients for long periods of time. It can help for assessment of the symptoms, psychological formulation, and treatment. It showed satisfactory results. Psychiatric patients drawor paint as away to communicate internal conflict.The therapeutic process in art therapy is based on the expression of the patients’ inner world in images. The elaboration of the images and therapeutic relationship are two other factors which enable them to grow, heal, or change. The contents of the picture to be drawn is link to interest, need, or the various stories in the patient’s life (5) . Dr. Umpaikhanit Samanwongthai, psychiatrist at Srithanya Hospital, discussed works of art therapy as a part of the process of psychological treatment. By bringing works of art applied to psychotherapy. Drawings is a symbol which used instead of saying what is in deep or abyss of mind. Referred to Piaget, which says that the painting is an attempt to present the real world which is located on a mental image for others to see. Let patients to speak while and after painting is important (6) . In 1997,Ms. AmpornPrapkree, clinical psychologist at Somdej Chao-PhrayaHospital, gave a lecture in theThai clinical psychologists meeting on the topic “Projective group”. It was a group of drawings to reflect the though and feeling. It was one of the therapeutic method for psychiatric patient. The results from the group had shown off with patients’ drawing which the product make them proud. The patients had different opinions, criticized and suggested in the group to let the patients know themselves better andmake therapeutic relationship better (7) . Although she did not call art therapy, but treatment of the above that was considered to be art therapy. It was a pioneer