Art therapy for reducing distress in acute inpatient child and adolescent mental health care with Sarah Versitano

This presentation examines the role of art therapy in acute inpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), specifically its impact on minimising restrictive interventions like seclusion and physical restraint. The session details findings from two key studies:

• Quantitative Analysis: Evidence demonstrating a statistically significant correlation between art therapy provision and reduced rates of seclusion, restraint, and intramuscular injected sedation.
• Qualitative Insights: Feedback from young people (ages 12–17) regarding how art therapy interventions support emotional regulation by externalising internal states.

The data suggests that art therapy provides a critical non-verbal pathway for agency and distress reduction in inpatient settings. Professionals will gain an understanding of how integrating these therapeutic approaches can support the clinical goal of moving toward less restrictive care environments for young people.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this CPD activity, participants will be able to:

1. Analyse clinical data linking art therapy interventions to a statistically significant decrease in the frequency and duration of restrictive practices (such as seclusion, restraint, and sedation) within acute CAMHS.
2. Translate qualitative findings into practice by identifying how art-based externalisation specifically supports emotional regulation and agency for young people in high-acuity environments.
3. Advocate for the role of art therapy as a primary, evidence-based non-verbal intervention for de-escalating distress and improving safety protocols in multidisciplinary inpatient teams.

Presenter bio

Sarah Versitano is a senior art therapist based at an inpatient child and adolescent mental health service within the Sydney Local Health District. She is the co-chair of the NSW Ministry of Health advisory group for Art Therapy, Child Life Therapy, and Music Therapy. Additionally, she is a clinical supervisor for the Master of Art Therapy program at Western Sydney University, where she is currently a PhD candidate. Her recent research publications can be viewed via ResearchGate. LinkedIn.

Date: Monday 4 May 2026
Time: 11am–12.30pm AEST
1pm NZST
9am AWST/HKT/SGT)
Duration/CPD: 1.5 hrs incl. Q&A
Where: Zoom
Cost: $25 (+ GST for Australian members)
Open to: Practising and On-leave
Min/Max Registrations: 10/Unlimited
Recorded session: No (Privacy Reasons)

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