Virtual Reality in Art Therapy: A Pilot Qualitative Study of the Novel Medium and Implications for Practice

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) therapies have been used in health and mental health care settings. The applicability of VR expressive tools has not yet been examined adequately in the creative arts therapies. This pilot qualitative study reports on 17 participants’ experiences with VR art-making tools to determine its relevance to art therapy practice and research. Findings indicate that VR-based self-expression is an embodied visual expression, generates novel artistic and imaginal responses, and requires a developmental trajectory in expression and mastery. The unique characteristics of art therapy in VR were identified as positive emotions, play and exploration, learning and mastery, access, and storage. VR has the potential to enhance psychological health and well-being through creativity, enhanced imagination, interactivity, and problem solving.

Keywords: :

• Virtual Reality
• art therapy
• qualitative research
• 3-D drawing
• embodied expression
• digital art therapy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Girija Kaimal

Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC, is Associate Professor, Katrina Carroll-Haskins and Marygrace Berberian are doctoral students, Abby Dougherty is Assistant Professor, and Natalie Carlton is Associate Professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), in Philadelphia, PA. Arun Ramakrishnan is Director of Research Labs at CNHP.

Katrina Carroll-Haskins

Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC, is Associate Professor, Katrina Carroll-Haskins and Marygrace Berberian are doctoral students, Abby Dougherty is Assistant Professor, and Natalie Carlton is Associate Professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), in Philadelphia, PA. Arun Ramakrishnan is Director of Research Labs at CNHP.

Marygrace Berberian

Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC, is Associate Professor, Katrina Carroll-Haskins and Marygrace Berberian are doctoral students, Abby Dougherty is Assistant Professor, and Natalie Carlton is Associate Professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), in Philadelphia, PA. Arun Ramakrishnan is Director of Research Labs at CNHP.

Abby Dougherty

Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC, is Associate Professor, Katrina Carroll-Haskins and Marygrace Berberian are doctoral students, Abby Dougherty is Assistant Professor, and Natalie Carlton is Associate Professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), in Philadelphia, PA. Arun Ramakrishnan is Director of Research Labs at CNHP.

Natalie Carlton

Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC, is Associate Professor, Katrina Carroll-Haskins and Marygrace Berberian are doctoral students, Abby Dougherty is Assistant Professor, and Natalie Carlton is Associate Professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), in Philadelphia, PA. Arun Ramakrishnan is Director of Research Labs at CNHP.

Arun Ramakrishnan

Girija Kaimal, EdD, ATR-BC, is Associate Professor, Katrina Carroll-Haskins and Marygrace Berberian are doctoral students, Abby Dougherty is Assistant Professor, and Natalie Carlton is Associate Professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP), in Philadelphia, PA. Arun Ramakrishnan is Director of Research Labs at CNHP.