Use of technology and software applications for therapeutic collage making

Abstract

Art therapists employ a variety of media, materials and processes during therapy sessions. The increase of technology among the general population and within counselling practice justifies interests in the use of digital media and software applications within art therapy. Technology can be added to expand upon current therapeutic interventions in art therapy, although the extent of its current use and acceptance in the field is not fully known. Specifically, digital collages may be used to increase the user's comfort and engagement with the collage process and decrease some logistical barriers that may exist. This article reviews the use of technology in art therapy, discusses the pros and cons of technology as applied to art therapy, addresses the role of the art therapist in technology-based interventions and presents software applications for creating digital collages that are available in today's market.

Keywords:

• Technology
• software applications
• digital media
• therapeutic interventions
• collage
• art therapy

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Modeling and Simulation Graduate Research Fellowships provided to both Ms Leigh Diggs and Ms Margaret Lubas by Old Dominion University during academic year 2012–2014.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leigh Ann Diggs

Biographical details

Leigh Ann Diggs, MPH received her degree from Old Dominion University with a specialty track in Health Promotion. Her research interests include treatments for substance abuse, medical and health profession education, human–computer interaction, e-health, serious gaming, virtual reality, patient safety, emergency medical services, and pre-hospital care.

Email: [email protected]

Margaret Lubas

Margaret Lubas, MSW is a clinical social worker with a background primarily in medical social work. Her work experiences vary and include conducting grief support groups for adults and children, addressing deployment-related stressors for military families and assisting patients who are coping with end of life concerns and/or other medical diagnoses. Margaret's clinical experience ranges from individual counselling to support group facilitation and providing case management services.

Email: [email protected]

Gianluca De Leo

Dr Gianluca De Leo is an Associate Professor with Tenure at the School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences at Old Dominion University. Dr De Leo received an MS in Electronic Engineering (1999) and a PhD in Bioengineering and Bioelectronics (2003) from the University of Genoa, Italy and an MBA (2005) from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr De Leo has been involved in several projects related to e-health, biomedical informatics, serious gaming, virtual reality and mobile health.

Email: [email protected]