JFSA’s Art Therapy program serves men and women 18 years old and over who have chronic mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depression, and bi-polar disorders. Participants are residents of Cuyahoga County, with most residing in the eastern and southeastern suburbs and represent Caucasian, Hispanic, African American and Asian/Pacific Islander populations.

The program helps individuals with mental illness use creative expression to enhance cognitive growth and quality of life. Each program provides an alternative and creative outlet as a means of communication and expression, in a safe and nurturing environment. The discipline and concentration necessary to produce art makes venting emotion all the more satisfying, because the focus of expressions are sharpened and the entire process is controlled by the client.

Art therapy is a tool to increase various skills such as social, problem solving, and decision making, along with insight awareness, reality orientation and how to work in a group.