Art Therapy Practices in Rehabilitation Centres in Abuja: An Exploratory Study

Art therapy has gained recognition internationally as a valuable psychosocial intervention for individuals experiencing trauma, mental health challenges, and social marginalisation, yet its application in Nigerian rehabilitation settings remains limited and poorly documented. This study explores the use of art therapy practices in selected rehabilitation centres in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, situated in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone. A qualitative exploratory design is employed, with primary data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 8 occupational therapists, 5 art facilitators, and 30 rehabilitation participants across three centres. Observation sessions of facilitated art-making activities are documented, and participant artwork is analysed for communicative content using art-based research methods. The theoretical framework draws on the expressive arts therapy literature, developmental psychology, and the social determinants of health framework. The study assesses the types of art activities employed, the training background of facilitators, the institutional support for art therapy programming, and the self-reported wellbeing outcomes of participants. A key research question concerns whether art therapy is being delivered by trained practitioners or conflated with recreational art activities by untrained staff. Recent literature from comparable African contexts confirms that the absence of formal art therapy accreditation structures is a significant barrier to quality practice. Findings are expected to benefit the Federal Ministry of Health, rehabilitation centre managers, and advocates for the formal recognition of art therapy as a clinical profession in Nigeria. Keywords: art therapy, rehabilitation, Abuja, psychosocial, expressive arts