Attitudes of Art Therapists Toward Working With Evidence-Based Practices

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of practicing art therapists toward evidence-based practices (EBPs). EBPs, which have become an integral part of the managed care mental health system, refer to the use of empirically validated research to make clinical decisions that best meet the needs of each client. We used mixed methods with a survey that had quantitative and qualitative components to investigate the attitudes of art therapists from one graduate program toward EBPs and the factors that might affect their attitudes. Most expressed confidence in their ability to integrate EBPs with art therapy. Roughly half of the participants indicated a belief that art therapy can sometimes be validated by scientific evidence; however, the majority wanted to see increased research on the evidence base of art therapy.