Background: This article describes a psychosocial art-based group intervention for professional caregivers in Japan led by Israeli and Japanese mental health professionals, and explores the cross-c...

ABSTRACT Background Delivering Art Psychotherapy online has become a necessary part of practice for many in 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Art Psychotherapy practice and theory needs to be considered in light of this new way of working in addition to the impact on clients themselves. Context This paper considers an experience of delivering online group Art Psychotherapy to adolescents attending

ABSTRACT Background A veterans’ mental health charity and Hampshire Cultural Trust collaborated to facilitate art therapy groups for veterans with service-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Aims The project aimed to improve the wellbeing of participants by tapping into their existing military knowledge, skills and expertise as a resource for mental health. Also, to explore how items from

On 11 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared outbreaks of Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) throughout the globe as a worldwide pandemic (World Health Organization, 2020). The COVID-19 crisis ...

ABSTRACT Background Art therapy in the Arabian Gulf is still nascent. Context This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 and the development of art therapy in the region and identifies both the challenges and advantages that this global pandemic brought to a small group of art therapists practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar. Approach Our approach is rooted in relational cultural

ABSTRACT Background: Learning Disabled (LD) adults commonly experience barriers accessing the same services as non-disabled adults. Communication issues may also contribute to difficulties forming relationships, leading to increased loneliness and isolation. Art therapy groups can help to counter social isolation, providing opportunities to creatively explore challenges within a therapeutic relationship

ABSTRACT Background The COVID-19 pandemic enforced a sudden change in practice and a move into online delivery for many art therapists in the UK, often with minimal guidance and little previous experience of remote delivery. Aims To explore ways in which practitioners adapted practice to ensure continuity of service and client safety at distance. Methods An online survey designed to explore practitioners’

ABSTRACT Background: Art Refuge uses art and art therapy to support the mental health and well-being of people displaced due to conflict, persecution and poverty, both in the UK and internationally. Learning from its frontline programme in northern France has helped to inform the charity’s response to Covid19. Context: Social media and online communication are often lifelines for people who are displaced

Background: Art therapy in perinatal parent-infant work is a developing area of practice in the UK. One in five mothers experience a mental illness during the perinatal period or during the early y...

We are delighted to publish this special issue of the International Journal of Art Therapy (IJAT) on the International Art Therapy Practice/Research Inaugural Conference. Now, more than ever, in th...

ABSTRACT This paper considers what is shared by voice-hearers in the Hearing Voices Movement (HVM) and by service-users in art therapy. Both highlight what they see as the value of acceptance, peer-support, and clear collaborative communication. The paper considers how research and literature informed by lived-experience in the HVM and, UK art therapy might strengthen practice. Life-stories by voice-hearers

ABSTRACT This paper highlights the benefits of art therapy with couples, integrating sex therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) premises, and illustrating the use of creative and expressive tools to uniquely assess and foster relational and intimate bonds. While art therapists have long worked from systemic and creative frames, previous art therapy research explored attachment or dyadic art

ABSTRACT This paper explores the large map as an innovative visual art tool in a frontline art therapy project with refugees. In a volatile and hostile setting on the France-UK border at Calais, inhospitable spaces, for a time, become human places, and the capacity to imagine both other (people) and somewhere other (place) become possible. Within this emergency setting, a safe space is temporarily

ABSTRACT Background: In the UK an estimated one in ten primary school pupils have diagnosable mental health problems which may impact their education. Aims/context: This study examined a primary-school-based art therapy service for children experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties to assess the intervention’s acceptability and possible changes in classroom learning. Methods: A

ABSTRACT Aims: This mixed methods quasi-experimental study examined the outcomes of a brief art therapy-based and a narrative interview-based intervention to address the psychosocial needs of home hospice caregivers. Methods: Participants (n = 14) chose to participate either in a narrative interview (n = 7) or arts-based interview (n = 7). Standardised self-report measures of affect, spiritual well-being

ABSTRACT Background: School-based art therapy aims to facilitate children's personal change and growth through the use of visual arts media, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, or digital art. Aims: To identify and synthesise the types of school-based art therapy interventions, and appraise the effectiveness for children aged 5-12. Methods: Systematic searching through ten major electronic

It was thought initially that COVID-19, a virus to which none of us had immunity, would be a great leveller across the world, however, as with all international disasters, in reality, it has served...

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the existing evidence base for the efficacy of art therapy with parent-infant dyads. We undertook an integrative review, following the PRISMA protocol, systematically searching 4 electronic databases, and grey literature, for papers describing art therapy with parents and infants together. 14 papers were identified for inclusion. These were evaluated for quality, data

ABSTRACT The goal of the present study was to achieve a better understanding of the experience of playing with slip and the ways in which participants experience the Clay Slip Game and how they perceive the therapeutic qualities of the material, thus including the potential for art therapists to add the Slip Game to their toolbox. Ten experienced qualified art therapists and 48 art therapy students

ABSTRACT This paper examines what harm reveals about psychoactive power in the arts therapies. A 20-year sample of fitness-to-practise cases brought to the UK statutory regulator (the Health and Care and Professions Council) was examined to establish the prevalence of practitioners who cause harm which was low (0.165%). Transcripts of sanctioned cases were used to construct a grounded theory of how

As we experience a new decade and new global challenges, it is important to re-focus our attention on the needs of our clients and service users. Perhaps now, more than ever before, there is a danger that the vulnerable in society will be overlooked. People diagnosed with mental illnesses often experience a sense of shame, brought on by stigma and prejudice in society, which causes marginalisation

ABSTRACT Background: Art therapists in the education system work within a framework that is not therapeutic in orientation, a fact which has implications for their work environment. Aims: This study examined the relationships between working conditions and between job satisfaction and burnout of art therapists employed by the education system in Israel. Method: Forty-nine therapists completed a set

ABSTRACT Art therapists recognise the importance of clients’ early attachment experience. The Bird's Nest Drawing (BND) is an attachment security measure with potential for research and practice, developed by American art therapists. The client draws a bird's nest and writes a corresponding narrative, the latter assisting an integrative evaluation. A systematic rating procedure currently only exists

ABSTRACT This ‘practice innovation’ paper provides an overview of the development of ‘response art’ which is growing as an integral part of routine clinical practice in art therapy. I provide a literature review of the use of art therapist generated images made before, during and following clinical work. There is a particular focus on post-therapy ‘reflect piece’ imagery which is the subject of the

ABSTRACT By making art with clients, I have been able to understand how the joint activity is a fertile communication in which the countertransference is experienced and explored. In doing so, the joint activity mirrors the dyadic encounter between parent and child. In this paper, I discuss how working on a joint activity with a young person with learning disabilities enabled a robust relationship

Aswe reflect on the inspiring Inaugural International Art Therapy Practice/Research Conference this summer (London, July 2019), one of the lasting memories is of the images created by clients included in the many fascinating papers presented by art therapists from around the world. As art therapists we know that images are powerful... as Elkins says, ‘some pictures affect me for a few minutes, and

ABSTRACT This paper will explore an art therapist facilitated mural within a refugee camp in Greece. It will present literature regarding a ‘psychosocial’ frame of art therapy and its considered relevance when working with refugee populations, drawing particular attention to theory on working cross culturally, outside the art therapy room, and the art making process. It will describe the context and

ABSTRACT The impact of working as art therapists in the NHS during protracted change processes, with people with learning disabilities (LD), was investigated in a qualitative heuristic doctoral study (Ashby, 2018), which considered concerns about emotional exhaustion and reduced efficacy, symptoms of burnout (Maslach, 1982), as a result of occupational stress. The researcher’s own data was examined

ABSTRACT UK Armed Forces personnel experiencing mental health difficulties are not, at present, offered art therapy as a treatment option. This paper considers the prevalence of mental health problems for personnel currently serving in the Armed Forces compared with the UK general population. The current treatment pathway for UK Armed Forces personnel is explained and compared with a review of literature

ABSTRACT This study examined the experiences of parents who took part in an art-based parental training model (ABPT). The purpose of the study was to better understand how parents who engage in ABPT intervention sessions define the significance and impact of these interventions. Data analysis of interviews with 18 parents (four of whom were couples) revealed four key themes: parents’ experiences with

ABSTRACT Art therapy (AT) offers a specific treatment for developmental, social and behavioural problems of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this study typical elements of AT with ASD diagnosed children are specified and validated in a two-round Delphi study with 19 art therapists and 10 referrers. In the first round, relevance and applicability of the elements were rated. The degree

Forward to International Journal of Art Therapy special issue; Art therapy with Children This special edition of the International Journal of Art Therapy is timely and important. In the current context, where mental health, social/relational, and emotional difficulties are prevalent, wide spread, and pervasive; it feels integral to highlight useful and effective ways of working with children, and their

ABSTRACT AIM: This exploratory mixed methods study aimed to inform future research by investigating if teachers and children from one primary school perceived any changes in children’s social, emotional and mental health difficulties following art therapy and if so, what the children perceived as helpful about the sessions. METHODS: The study included 45 children and 10 class teachers within one UK

ABSTRACT This systematic literature review is a companion to our review of the effectiveness of art therapy with adult clients (Regev & Cohen-Yatziv, 2018) and aims to contribute towards the ongoing discussion in the field of art therapy on the effectiveness of art therapy in a wide range of child-aged clients. For this purpose, four major electronic databases were searched for quantitative articles

In our previous editorial we considered the history of the journal and the importance of understanding and building on past work and development in order to shape the future of this journal and art therapy research, in a positive, coherent and unified way. To do this we need to make ourselves aware of the current issues facing our clients in terms of funded accessibility, and also the art therapy profession

ABSTRACT This paper describes a pilot of art psychotherapy groups using a dyadic approach as an intervention for parents and infants in order to improve their relationships. The pilot was developed as a collaboration between an Art Psychotherapist and a Developmental Psychologist. It sought to use standardised measures of parental well-being and object relations as well as developing an observational

ABSTRACT This article describes findings from a pilot study for a new art therapy intervention designed for clients attending an Adult Learning Disability Service. The intervention consisted of an art therapy and mindfulness group for clients, for 90 min per week over an initial 6–8 week period, with the aim of improving group members’ resilience and ability to cope with difficult life experiences

ABSTRACT This research aimed to investigate our experiences of facilitating museum-based art psychotherapy groups for adults with complex mental health difficulties, identifying key themes to help inform the practice of other art psychotherapists working in museum settings. Drawing on concepts of tacit knowledge, action research, reflexivity and arts-based research, we engaged in structured discussions

ABSTRACT This study examined the relationship between art therapists’ perceptions of their art therapy room in schools, and related outcome measures for 55 students. We posited that there would be a positive correlation between art therapists’ satisfaction and their perception of the suitability of the rooms in which they provide therapy, and their clients’ outcome measures. Thirty-six therapists completed

ABSTRACT Two studies present the development and validation of the Art Therapy Working Alliance Inventory measure, based on Bordin’s [1979. The generalizability of the psychoanalytic concept of the working alliance. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 16, 252–260] conceptualisation of the therapeutic working alliance. The measure captures unique aspects of the art therapy working alliance that

ABSTRACT This study examined the specific characteristics of art therapy practice that takes place within the school system. The study is based on the perspectives of 16 art therapists working in primary schools, as reflected in 113 journal entries that were recorded during 2015–2016. These entries were analysed according to the principles of consensual qualitative research Hill, C. E., Knox, S., &

ABSTRACT This article sets out to explore the use of art therapy with refugee children, from the perspective of art therapists and their experiences. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insights by capturing experiences and stories. Using thematic analysis, five themes were identified: (1) giving voice; (2) rebuilding trust, opening wounds; (3) sharing stories, healing pain; (4)

ABSTRACT Doctors are frequently exposed to work-related stressors putting them at risk of burnout and affecting patient safety. This has long been recognised in oncology and palliative care staff members, with as many as 70% of young oncologists in Europe reporting burnout. Our objective was to use art therapy, which has been shown to combat the symptoms of burnout, on a cohort of trainee doctors in

ABSTRACT The recent report from the United Kingdom (UK) All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing is receiving widespread publicity across the media. Newspaper articles and social media posts espouse the benefits and importance of employing creative arts within the health domain, citing the report as proof of this. The report is inclusive of the entire range of arts practices, while

ABSTRACT Research on art therapy and psychosis has focused mainly on individuals who have been service users for many years. This study used grounded theory methodology to explore how service users experienced art therapy following their first diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, and the processes through which art therapy might be helpful for such individuals. Eight participants were interviewed, with

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of vitality affects and basic affects and to shed light on their importance in terms of patients’ inner change through art therapy. In an earlier study, where 17 women were interviewed about inner change through art therapy, a secondary deductive content analysis of images and statements was performed exploring the presence of vitality affects

ABSTRACT TBI and PTSD are global issues and are often referred to as signature wounds of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Art therapy can provide unique insights into military service members’ injuries and states of mind via externalisation within an art product; however, interpretation of results is complex and subjective. Advance neuroimaging tools such as resting state fMRI can be employed to demonstrate

As our first editorial acting as co-editors for this journal it is a pleasure to present this issue, which includes four diverse articles featuring very different art therapy practices and theories, and yet each in its own way, speaks about the importance of developing a collaborative relationship and enabling the client to not only find a way forward through their particular issues, but to developa

ABSTRACT This article suggests the way in which copying may develop attunement in the therapeutic relationship. Parallels and discrepancies were drawn between the chosen image and the copied image which related to the experience of the patient. Through collaborative art making I realised that my style was attuned to his, an indication that I had understood the patient’s experience through the act of

ABSTRACT Nine studies involving 131 interviews were conducted between 2013 and 2015 with female art therapists, supervisors, counsellors, teachers and school principals in the Arab and Jewish educational systems on the state of art therapy in the Israeli school system. This article presents a qualitative meta-analysis of these studies to provide an up-to-date comprehensive picture of the integration

ABSTRACT This study examined the explanation for the found causal relationship between art therapy and positive therapeutic effects, in a previously conducted randomised controlled trial (RCT) with personality disorders cluster B/C. In-depth interviews were used to collect the data, in order to examine the experience without preconceived notions or expectations. Thematic analysis was used to analyse

ABSTRACT Art therapy for people diagnosed with personality disorders (PD) cluster B/C seems valuable to explore dysfunctional patterns in managing emotions. Current art therapy interventions are based on practical beliefs or commonsense approaches, without a sound basis in research results. To increase the effectiveness of art therapy for this target group, a planned, systematic and theory-based approach

ABSTRACT Poverty can have a detrimental impact on the emotional well-being, educational attainment and future life chances of children and young people (CYP). It is known that poverty can also create several barriers to CYP and families accessing services. Furthermore, structural factors such as spending cuts on public services mean that professionals working with people affected by poverty have to

ABSTRACT Avoidance can be a significant barrier to engaging in trauma-focused treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as being a mechanism that creates restrictions that can seriously impact functioning and wellbeing. Following an outpatient study with veterans that indicated art therapy might assist the overcoming of avoidance, a group of veterans was offered an art therapy-focused

ABSTRACT This paper provides an overview of short and long-term art therapy treatment approaches, used in the USA, for military service members with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The described clinical approaches are based on the theoretical foundations and the art therapists’ experiences in providing individualised care for the unique needs of the patient population. The

ABSTRACT This article describes a pilot museum-based art psychotherapy group for seven 18 to 25-year-old adults with severe mental health difficulties. We outline existing evidence for the psychotherapeutic value of museums and describe how we tried to harness the potential of museums as socially inclusive, accessible and inspiring venues, as well as a rich source of encounters with objects and environments

ABSTRACT The departure point of this reflection is an art therapy group in a prison. The intrinsic identity and circumstances of the prison posed issues which, as art therapists, we felt it was necessary to reflect upon and incorporate into our practice, given their impact on the group dynamic and their impact on our understanding of art therapy. These issues inevitably had to do with the overlap between

This issue presents four diverse articles which I believe reflect something of the diversity in contemporary Art Therapy itself: Boram Park presents a study relating to Art Therapy training; Dafna Regev and Rotem Patishi describe a structured approach to studying mothers and children drawing together; Susan Hogan, David Sheffield and Amelia Woodward offer a literature review of arts and Art Therapy

ABSTRACT Since ancient times, the arts have been used by humans across the globe as healing methods and vehicles for communication. The arts are increasingly becoming clinical tools to promote health and psychological well-being in individuals. This clinical paper features positive arts interventions which positive arts therapists, positive psychologists and positive psychotherapists can administer

ABSTRACT There is a very small body of literature addressing the use of the arts or art therapy in antenatal and postnatal care, and much of it is qualitative, including some rich and complex data which are worthy of discussion and consideration. Overall, it points to a promising use of supportive and therapeutic arts in this area. This article presents some background on the use of the arts specifically