The purpose of this research was to examine the therapeutic meaning of symbolic changes in the artworks of patient facilitated through group art therapy for psychiatric ward inpatients. This research involved observing art therapy cases of symbolic changes and their effects in art therapy sessions and analyzing the symbolic changes expressed by the patient in terms of color, line, and shape. The research institution was a psychiatric ward at A University Hospital in Gyeonggi-do. The participant was selected due to being a patient with depressive disorder who could participate in the most sessions and consider the symbol changes due to the specificity of the institution. The participant expressed ambivalence, such as denying reality after expressing his preference for a desired symbol in the early artwork, but better understood himself based on the symbol in the changing artwork and expanded his view to look beyond isolation fueled by feelings of guilt. In addition, the participant activated the use of limited colors in a variety of ways, and the initial trembling lines were powerful and clear. In the shape, the conflict with the family and the idealized self-symbol that were repeatedly seen due to negative rumination were dismantled and changed into a new self-symbol. Given that, this research analyzed the changes in the self-symbol in the artworks of patient with depressive disorder who participated in group art therapy in a psychiatric ward, and through this process, the therapy appeared to promote reality awareness and helped improve the patient’s relationships with others.