The therapeutic presence of the art therapist

Naftali Schwarz, Sharon Snir, Dafna Regev

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examined how a sample of art therapists (N D 14) describe their experience of therapeutic presence in the art therapy triangular relationship formed among the therapist, the client, and the artwork. Qualitative data were collected in semistructured interviews and analyzed using a grounded theory method. Component themes of therapeutic presence were identified as attentive focus, joining, movement, uncertainty, and sense of completeness. Preparation was found to be important to the art therapists’ therapeutic presence, as were the influences of clients, time, art materials, accessibility, and external factors. Results highlight the role of art in all main areas of the art therapist’s therapeutic presence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11-18
Number of pages8
JournalArt Therapy
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 May 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© AATA, Inc. 2018.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Complementary and Manual Therapy
  • Clinical Psychology

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