Museums as Therapeutic Environments and the Contribution of Art Therapy

Although healthcare interventions—including those targeting mental health problems—are usually delivered in clinics and hospitals, nowadays the museum sector has come to play an important role in improving health and well‐being, enhancing the development of social inclusion and challenging discrimination. This paper explores the ways in which art therapy can be applied in the museum field and how, with the assistance of art therapists, museum spaces can become therapeutic holding environments that help individuals cope with physical, emotional and mental issues, and make sense of life situations.