Our two units take care of a rather big number of people (about 170 000). Various activities are proposed for outpatients and the idea was expressed to initiate art therapy.

We first analysed the possibility of starting this new mediation equally in the two units. A team was formed: a clinical psychiatrist and two registered nurses, one being an art therapist as well. We started this activity with a small group of out patients in April 2016.

The registered nurse – art therapist was provided with appropriate space, art material and furniture by hospital sources. The other unit will send the nurse for training in art – therapy: leave and grant are provided by the hospital. Her project is different and yet complementary.

The group was validated and evaluated by the art therapist and the psychiatrist. The organization of the activity is left to the art therapist. A questionnaire was filled out by art therapist before beginning the art therapy and at regular intervals.

Patients are engaged by this therapy and come on regular basis. They chose painting to express themselves and leave their productions in the room after they are finished.

The newly opened psychotherapy – art therapy has brought many positive changes in our hospital for working staff as well as for the patients.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

We want to thank the Chiefs of our Department of Psychiatry, Grandin Pascal, MD and Benzaken-Charlier Catherine MD for their acceptance and support of this project.