Creative Engagement and Positive School Psychology

This chapter will discuss the theory and practice of creative engagement from within positive school psychology. It will explore the interconnections and disparities between art therapy, creative engagement and art activities with positive psychological goals. Within this it will be important to differentiate ‘art as therapy’ from ‘art therapy’ for interventions in positive school psychology practices. We will describe principles of positive arts interventions that students, educators, school-based mental health providers and school leaders will be able to implement. A significant portion of the chapter will be dedicated to exploring the theoretical component of arts and health/well-being and how it can fit into positive psychology practices and frameworks. The World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health at University College London has identified 139 active ingredients in arts and health. From those active ingredients, over 600 mechanisms that link creative engagement with health and well-being outcomes have been identified. We would like to integrate positive arts interventions theory and practice into the body of work being developed by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts and Health, so that those working in schools can confidently implement creative interventions that are based on a multi-level theoretical framework and robust scientific evidence.