A Case of El Duende: Art-Based Supervision in Addiction Treatment

Abstract

Addictions professionals are at risk for compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress. This arts-based research, enhanced with qualitative processes, explored the experience and benefits of El Duende process painting (EDPP) in clinical supervision with art therapists. Supervision consisted of eight sessions. Data included interviews and photographs taken of the EDPP process. Findings demonstrated that EDPP art therapy supervision was a space for integrative transformation. It promoted a psychologically safe place to cope with compassion fatigue and process secondary traumatic stress.

Keywords:

• El Duende process painting
• art therapy
• arts-based research
• substance abuse treatment
• arts-based supervision

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gioia Chilton

Gioia Chilton, PhD, ATR-BC, LCPAT, CSAC, is Lecturer, Art Therapy Program at The George Washington University, Alexandria, VA.

Kristin Lynskey

Kristin Lynskey, MA, LPC, is a Behavioral Health Senior Clinician at the Community Services Board, Fairfax, VA.

Erica Ohnstad

Erica Ohnstad, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, LSATP, is a Lead Clinician at Thriveworks, McLean, VA.

Elizabeth Manders

Elizabeth Manders, PhD, BC-DMT, LPC, is Professor of Dance/Movement therapy, Department of Therapy Sciences at SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.