Abstract

In this article a variety of what the author refers to as creative artists support groups are described The descriptions illustrate a great deal of divergence in terms of structure and range of group leadership or facilitation ranging from virtually leaderless groups modeled along the lines of the structure of 12-step support groups to groups led by a trained psychotherapist who directs the group with a series of structured therapeutic techniques to a Rogerian person-centered facilitator who gently guides the group with little or no structure whatsoever Furthermore person-centered group facilitators of creative artists support groups may adhere to the basic ingredients of Rogerian person-centered psychotherapy by relating to the essence of the person but may do so in a flexible way that allows for occasional active interventions Utilizing auto ethnographic research inclusive of a description of the author s motivation in writing this article illustrations are given of some therapeutic interactions from the author s own creative artists support group to demonstrate this kind of flexibility in the facilitation of a person-centered creative artists support group It is concluded that a common foundational ingredient in all the creative artists support groups described in this article is the dual focus on creativity and mental health