OBAS-ATT: observation-based instrument for assessment in art therapy with traumatised women

ABSTRACT

Background

Art therapists need specific instruments to measure treatment outcomes. The development of assessment instruments for special purposes, such as measuring key elements of the therapeutic process, is a growing and important area of research. Standardised instruments can help to compare and contrast data, and this may contribute to the development of the discipline.

Aims

The aim of this research was to design a new, process-oriented instrument that can help art therapists assess the therapeutic progress of the treatment for women who have suffered traumatic experiences. The instrument was called Observation-based Assessment Art Therapy Trauma Tool (OBAS-ATT).

Methods

The preliminary design of the tool was based on observation instruments and the analysis of the psychological scales commonly used with the target group. The first version of the tool was submitted to a panel of experts as part of a Delphi study to reach consensus on the content of the tool. Then, a focus group was held to improve tool usefulness.

Results

The final result is a structured template composed of 50 items organised in 11 dimensions that helps to collect qualitative and quantitative data.

Conclusions

The designed tool is an interesting starting point for developing useful and standardised tools. Experts participating in the study highlighted the importance of combining qualitative and quantitative data.

Implications for practice/policy/future research

This tool can help art therapists gather organised information and evaluate the patient therapeutic process, which should improve practice in the field. Further research is required to determine inter-rater reliability and the psychometric properties of the scales.

Plain-language summary

This article proposes a new observation tool in the art therapy field that can help to assess the therapeutic progress of patients who have experienced traumatic situations. Research into art therapy assessment is a growing area of knowledge, as art therapists need tools designed specifically for art therapy. Tried and tested forms of assessment can help to demonstrate the effectiveness of art therapy. They can lead to art therapy being considered an optimal approach for trauma treatment.

The designed tool is a template to help art therapists gather key information related to what happens during the art therapy session. The art therapist rates observation items expressed on a scale of 1–6 and has the option of adding observations. Two different groups of individuals with expertise in this field were consulted about the content of the tool. The Delphi method and focus group technique were used.

Although further research is required to validate the tool, this instrument can help art therapists to organise information and assess therapeutic progress. Also, it is a potentially interesting starting point for developing effective assessment.

KEYWORDS:

• Art therapy
• assessment
• evaluation instrument
• validation
• women
• trauma

Acknowledgements

My sincere thanks go to my thesis supervisors Marián López Fernandez Cao and Celia Camilli for their support, knowledge and expertise. This research would not have been possible without the input from the participants in the Delphi study and the focus group who contributed generously to the development of this tool proffering their knowledge and experience.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through 2015 National R+D Programme [grant number HAR2015-69115-R].

Notes on contributors

Carolina Peral Jiménez

Carolina Peral Jiménez qualified as an art therapist in 2012 and completed her PhD in Gender Studies at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) in 2020 thanks to a predoctoral fellowship. She also worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Education (UCM) from 2020 to 2021. She has experience as an art therapist working with survivors of sex trafficking, victims of gender violence, as well as children in therapeutic and educational frameworks.