Art Therapists’ Perceptions, Attitudes, and Experiences of Participation in Research

Abstract

The study examined art therapists’ subjective experiences, attitudes, and perceptions when participating in a longitudinal study in the Israeli public education system. Seventy-six reflections written by 38 art therapists on their participation in art therapy research were analyzed. Sixteen therapists also took part in focus groups, 5–7 years after the original study. Findings indicated that despite the time and energy required to take part in the study, the therapists were proud to have made a contribution to research, learned a great deal from participating, and felt that taking part had a positive effect on the course of treatment. They viewed their participation in the research as an empowering and valuable experience for them and for their clients.

Keywords:

• Art therapist
• participation in research
• school art therapy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sharon Snir

Sharon Snir is a faculty member in the Art Therapy MA Program at Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, Israel.

Shoval Ben-Simon

Shoval Ben-Simon is a graduate student in the School of Creative Arts Therapies at University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Dafna Regev

Dafna Regev is the head of the art therapy program in the School of Creative Arts Therapies at University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Atara Ben-Haim

Atara Ben-Haim is a graduate student in the School of Creative Arts Therapies at University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.