Art therapists’ perceptions of the characteristics, impact, and applications of art therapy with children in foster care

Foster care constitutes one of the primary frameworks for out-of-home placement in Israel besides residential care and adoption. Children placed in out-of-home care as a result of complex circumstances that may compromise their safety and wellbeing are at heightened risk of emotional and cognitive difficulties. Given the scant research on art therapy with children in foster care, exploring art therapists ’ experiences can contribute to identifying unique therapeutic adaptations and informing evidence-based practice. The present study was designed to map and conceptualize the specific characteristics of art therapy with children in foster care as documented by art therapists working with this population. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 art therapists, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis, revealed seven central themes: (1) Population characteristics. (2) Treatment framework. (3) Therapeutic benefits of art materials. (4) Main themes from the sessions. (5) The child's support system. (6) Parent-child art therapy. (7) The art therapists’ adaptation to the role. The Discussion addresses emotional and behavioral polarities in art therapy, coping with fragmented reality, specifics of working with children in foster care, and implementing parent-child art therapy with foster families in light of these themes. The findings highlight the importance of therapeutic adaptations. Suggestions for clinical practice, including treatment structure, the choice of art materials, collaboration with foster parents, and therapist self-care are outlined. Future studies with larger samples are recommended, employing quantitative measures and including the perspectives of the foster children themselves and their foster parents respecting ethics and confidentiality.