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.
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.