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Forced migration, prolonged uncertainty and humanitarian crises place significant strain on emotional stability, psychological flexibility and cultural belonging. In such contexts, art therapy offers a crucial non-verbal and culturally grounded space for collective repair. Through embodied expression, symbolic transformation and shared aesthetic experience, it supports individuals in navigating dislocation and restoring meaning. Despite its relevance in times of crisis, evidence-informed and manualized art therapy models developed specifically for refugee populations remain limited. Integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) adds complementary mechanisms—such as mindfulness, metaphor work and values orientation—that can strengthen the resilience-building potential of art-making.

This presentation introduces ACCEPT ART for Refugees, a 10-week culturally sensitive group intervention combining ACT processes with art therapy to support adults with forced migration experiences. The intervention aims to reduce stress and trauma-related symptoms, enhance emotional regulation and psychological flexibility, and foster cultural resilience and connectedness.

A mixed-methods design is implemented across several community settings in Germany. Quantitative tools include HSI-24, PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7, FAHH-2 and SWE, completed by participants and their therapists or social workers before the first and after the tenth session. Qualitative data include interviews with participants’ therapists, capturing processes of meaning-making, cultural expression and group cohesion.

The study is currently ongoing. Preliminary trends indicate reduced stress and trauma-related symptoms, increased emotional expression and strengthening of cultural identity.

These findings highlight how arts-based interventions can contribute to cultural resilience and collective repair in times of crisis. First results from the mixed-methods evaluation will be presented.