Creating an online arts journaling group for trans clients

ABSTRACT

Background

Trans people experience high levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and attempts, as well as poor experiences seeking mental health support. There is limited research into the experience and effectiveness of using Art Therapy with trans clients.

Context

This paper describes an Art Therapy group with trans clients. The group took place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants consented to have their images and experiences used in this practice paper.

Approach

Building on the work of Beaumont (2012. Art therapy for gender variant individuals: A compassion oriented approach. Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal, 25(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/08322473.2012.11415565), and using a neurobiological understanding of Art Therapy, this paper theorises that Art Therapy strategies known to be effective with trauma survivors may also support clients experiencing gender dysphoria. Considering Beaumont’s model, a six-week online Art Therapy intervention using weekly focused themes was developed. A strong focus was given to creating group cohesion through co-creating a working alliance. Clients reflected together on artwork created through arts journaling between sessions.

Outcomes

Participant engagement was high. The intervention received consistently positive solicited and unsolicited feedback from clients. Limitations of this feedback are noted.

Conclusion

Trans clients reported that the use of an online arts journaling group approach facilitated a powerful sense of belonging created in the group and reflected through the artwork.

Implications for research

Research is needed to consider Art Therapy’s effectiveness in improving wellbeing for trans clients through creating a sense of belonging. Research could also consider whether clients experiencing gender dysphoria could be supported by Art Therapy approaches known to work well with traumatised clients.

Plain-language summary

Trans clients are likely to need support with their mental health due to experiencing high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal feelings. They are also likely to describe poor experiences of seeking out mental health support. This highlights the importance of developing appropriate, supportive Art Therapy interventions with this client group.

This paper describes a six-week online Art Therapy group with trans clients. The group took place in the context of a charity programme to support improved mental health and wellbeing in the trans community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group took place online. The group used an arts journaling approach. Clients made artwork between sessions, and shared and reflected on what they had created as a group over Zoom.

I describe the theoretical approach which led to the creation of the group, noting the lack of research into working with this client base. I also outline the perspectives considered when recreating the intervention online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I describe the group’s online sessions. I show how the group worked together to create a strong working agreement and shared values. I explore participants’ reflections on their artworks. I consider the emergence of a strong sense of belonging within the group.

I also reflect on participants’ feedback, giving space for clients’ own words about their experience. Client feedback shows that participants value sharing their experiences with people they feel understand them and experiencing a sense of belonging in a supportive community.

Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of Art Therapy in improving mental health and wellbeing with this client group. Clients hoped that sharing their experiences could help enable an Art Therapy approach to be considered with trans clients in other contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Art therapy
• group
• online
• arts journaling
• trans
• transgender

Acknowledgements

Thanks to my co-facilitator, Elliss; to Rahil, Ben, Serana and Karen for enabling and supporting the group; to Becky, Ellie, Hal, Samael, and Vicki for support during writing; to my peer supervision group; and especially to my supervisor Jane Francis. I hold full written informed consent from all participants whose words, images, and interactions are included within this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessie Holder

Jessie Holder graduated from the Institute for the Arts in Therapy in Education with an MA in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy in 2019. Since graduating, they have worked with individuals and groups for an LGBT charity, as well as in private practice. Prior to training as an Arts Psychotherapist, Jessie studied opera at Trinity College of Music, where their MA thesis focussed on gender and queer theory. Jessie has also worked as an LGBT youth worker, an anti-cyberbullying trainer, and in management and development in Local Government and the third sector.