This article presents a therapeutic framework to examine the continuum of creative destruction to transformation through altered book making. The rebuilding of a printed book parallels desired changes that bring individuals to art therapy, including concepts related to reframing, reforming, and reclaiming. The relationship between creative…

Addictions professionals are at risk for compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress. This arts-based research, enhanced with qualitative processes, explored the experience and benefits of El Duende process painting (EDPP) in clinical supervision with art therapists. Supervision consisted of eight sessions. Data included interviews and…

The integration of somatic approaches in art therapy can counter the trauma of microaggressions. By adopting a power-from-within stance, art therapists can facilitate sessions for clients to affirm their LGBTQIA+ identities while resisting the impact of discrimination. This article, co-written by an art therapist and client, provides lived…

This novel study pushed forth current research by evaluating the effects of a clay art therapy (CAT) program on emotion regulation and the level of hair cortisol as a physiological response. Forty-one students aged 15-17 years with at least a mild form of emotional problems were randomized into a CAT group and a waitlist control (CON) group. The…

Creative art-based therapies (cABT) provide a creative non-pharmacological approach in therapy to people with dementia and can potentially improve their personhood. This review identified cABT that focused on the personhood of persons with dementia living in residential facilities and determined how quality of life (QOL) or well-being were…

Manual-based phenomenological art therapy (PATd) was developed to facilitate recovery from depression. The study's aim was to investigate whether improvements were maintained 6 months after PATd was completed. In a randomized controlled study design, persons diagnosed with moderate or severe depression (n = 85) were invited to take part; n = 79…

This randomized controlled study examined the effects of creating open circle mandalas with divergent instruction type (distraction and reflection) and medium type (resistive and fluid) on state anxiety, mood, and mindfulness. The design followed a 2 (instruction type) x 2 (medium type) x 3 (time) mixed experimental design. Reflective writing…

The Compassionate Arts Psychotherapy (CAP) program integrates self-compassion and arts psychotherapy practices, which are informed by a compassionate arts media (CAM) continuum. A mixed methods pilot program evaluation with a pretest-posttest single group design, followed by an open-ended survey, was conducted. Participants included 18 graduate…

When working with sex workers, mental health professionals should provide affirming and validating health care that does not further perpetuate victimization. This brief report introduces a community and open studio approach to art therapy as a potential means of increasing mental health accessibility for sex workers. Based on two case studies,…

This article identifies the importance of art therapy integrating a sex-positive approach to support healthy sexuality and sexual well-being. It outlines the harmful impact of the sex-negative culture in the United States and defines a sex-positive social justice approach. Based on a review of relevant art therapy literature and the author's…

The Dual-Process Model of grieving suggests that oscillation between negative and positive emotions occurs throughout the grieving process. If either negative or positive emotions are overly emphasized the grieving process could be stymied. To determine how art therapy can support this model, this study evaluated changes in positive and negative…

Contributing factors to occurrences of workplace violence (WPV) vary based on the setting and clientele. While no workplace can be guaranteed free from potential violence, research shows that agencies and creative arts therapists (CATs) can use preventative measures to increase workplace safety. To illustrate the impact of WPV, three CATs share…

This viewpoint highlights the author's personal lived experiences of having her family home damaged during the catastrophic events of the 2022 Queensland floods in Australia. Art therapy Open studio practices facilitated within disaster management emphasize supporting recovery, building resilience, and offering emotional safety and containment.…

This collaborative autoethnography explores the experiences of two art therapists who designed and implemented art therapy programs for achievement gaps in schools in Korea. We gathered autoethnographic data and contextualized information within the socio-cultural and institutional framework of Korean society. Four discussion points emerged: (1)…

Art therapy group can facilitate professional and self advocacy efforts to increase awareness of eating disorders. Imagine Me Beyond What You See art competition was the catalyst for the development of an art therapy group to raise awareness for eating disorders and body image by reimagining a mannequin. Participant testimonials demonstrate how…