Art Therapy for Aggression: Ethical and Legal Concerns Case Study

This case study examines the use of art therapy as a treatment for aggression, focusing on the ethical and legal considerations within a healthcare setting. It explores the ethical concerns related to patient safety, staff safety, and the use of art therapy, referencing the Charter of Mental Health Care principles to ensure effective therapeutic relationships, promote patient self-awareness, and address social factors influencing mental health. The study also addresses the legal concerns of patient privacy and fair treatment, referencing the Mental Health Act 2014 to highlight the importance of least restrictive treatments and patient participation. By comparing art therapy to current practices, such as medication, the case study argues for art therapy's effectiveness in improving patient outcomes and protecting patient rights, emphasizing the significance of patient consent and multidisciplinary teamwork in providing safe and ethical care.

CASE STUDY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Aggression is characterized by verbal or physical behaviour of person and is feeling of anger
where person becomes violent to certain situations. The question will outline ethical and legal
issues which can related to solution of functional behaviour which is Art therapy. Further, it will
focus on principles of Charter of Mental Health Care which aid in managing ethical and legal
concerns of solution.
MAIN BODY
Ethical and legal issues are the major point of concern when managing care for patient
suffering from behavioural issues, like depression, aggression, anxiety, etc. In accordance with
present functional which is aggression violence of patient and staff safety are two major ethical
issues which can arise in treatment setting which Art therapy. Further, legal concerns when
managing care of patient with aggression is privacy of patient information and fair treatment. Art
therapy is an innovative approach which is implied in health care setting to manage improvement
in behaviour of patient suffering from mental illness. According to Brännström, et.al., 2016, Art
therapy for aggression is an effective and viable solution as it focuses on improvement mental
condition of patient by developing patient’s ability of self-discovery and self-expression.
Ethical concerns of treatment setting and solution are managed by principle of commitment
continuous improvement with consumers, families and carers by Charter of Mental Health Care.
In accordance with principle, it can be said that art therapy for aggression is effective approach
as it aim at developing therapeutic relationship among patient and care providers. Apart from
this, ethical issue which is staff safety and violent behaviour of patient to treatment approach is
managed by principle of clear information about mental health and treatments as it promotes
self-awareness among patient about coping with disorder, medication, causes and symptoms
(Charter of Mental Health Care Principles, 2014). This helps in making patient understand the
need of inclusion and communication. However, therapy is specific to principle which is
recognition of social factors that influences mental health and well-being as the approach aim at
understanding lived experience of patient and its adversity. This helps in deriving difficulties
person faces in overcoming aggression. Thus, it can be said that improvement aspect of art
therapy works according to principles of mental health care which denotes reliability of the
solution.
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Apparently, legal concerns of treatment and solution are fair treatment and confidentiality of
patient information which are protected by Mental Health Act 2014. According to this Act by
Australian government it is important for the care providers to to provide treatment in least
restrictive way with least possible restrictions with regard to human rights and human dignity
(Mental Health Act 2014, 2014). Further, the Act aim at promoting information of patient
receiving treatment and promotes participation of multidisciplinary team.
However, Art therapy solution to functional behaviour is better than the current practices of
treating aggression which includes medications and other surgical processes. The therapy
promotes stress relief and emotional resilience. It emphasizes that every patient must be provided
with unique and acute care in order to improve their health outcome (Wilkinson, & Chilton,
2017). Art therapy helps in overcoming traumatic stress, acute pain and other chronic illness.
The interventions provided by health care professionals to patients during chronic illness can
help them in improving quality of life and can also provide them with satisfaction. Current
practices like medications does not necessarily improve the health outcomes of service users.
Thus, as per the views of Wilkinson & Chilton, 2017, art therapy is an effective solution to
aggression, depression and anxiety which also protects legal and ethical rights of patient. It
promotes patient participation and willingness to receive treatment through particular solution.
Gaining consent of service user over care plan is the approach which aid in managing ethically
and legally safe care of patient.
CONCLUSION
The question summarized about different principles of Charter of Mental health care
which helps in managing ethical issue which arise in treatment setting in solution to aggressive
behaviour. The study outline Mental Health Act 2014 which aid in managing legal issues like
privacy of patient information, safety, protection of right of service user, etc.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brännström, L., Kaunitz, C., Andershed, A. K., South, S., & Smedslund, G. (2016). Aggression
replacement training (ART) for reducing antisocial behavior in adolescents and adults: A
systematic review. Aggression and violent behaviour. 27. 30-41.
Wilkinson, R. A., & Chilton, G. (2017). Positive art therapy theory and practice: Integrating
positive psychology with art therapy. Routledge.
Online
Charter of Mental Health Care Principles. (2014). [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.chiefpsychiatrist.wa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/OMH-
Charter_of_Mental_Health_Brochure.pdf >.
Mental Health Act 2014. 2014. [PDF]. Available through:
<http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubStatbook.nsf/
f932b66241ecf1b7ca256e92000e23be/0001F48EE2422A10CA257CB4001D32FB/
$FILE/14-026abookmarked.pdf>.
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