The Process of an Innovative Approach to Counseling: Appreciation of Beauty Group Therapy (ABGP)

This article describes a new and creative form of group therapy: Appreciation of Beauty Group Therapy (ABGT).  The process of ABGT demonstrates its potential benefits through the application of aesthetic interventions in mental health treatment settings. Prior research indicates that aesthetic experiences can improve symptoms of mental health issues such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The article describes the lead author’s experience of designing and delivering group therapy with a focus on appreciation of beauty, with mindfulness exercises, to assist individuals with a wide variety of mental health diagnoses.