An autobiographical, narrative art therapy approach to treat drug addiction was co-developed at the Methadone Clinic of Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The 10-session art therapy intervention included a group of 7 men. The protocol, as illustrated with a case example, suggests that it could help resolve deep-seated pain,…

In the wake of 2020's racial tension and civil unrest in the United States, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) art therapists and graduate students found themselves in need of support from like-minded, social justice-oriented peers. A virtual monthly peer support group called the BIPOC Art Therapists' Circle was formed. A different…

"Deep visual listening and children's art during times of crisis" explores a way to understand children's art created amidst crisis as well as the meanings we can discern from it through the lens of the "Uncaged Art Tornillo Detention Center" exhibit. In 2018, the U.S. government opened a detention center to hold youth who…

"The Creative Arts in Counseling" presents an evidence-based exploration of how expressive therapies can be used effectively with clients of all ages and backgrounds. After an introduction to the history and benefits of using the arts in counseling, Dr. Gladding discusses the therapeutic use of music; dance/movement; imagery; visual…

Clay sculpting was used with undergraduates (N = 60) to prime self-reported readiness to change in a therapy role play. After listing behaviors interfering with schoolwork, Group Change (n = 30) created clay sculptures of anchors and then reshaped them into boats (intended to symbolize transformation); Group Non-Change (n = 30) created clay…

An Australian-Malaysian cross-cultural, group art therapy and focus group study located in Terengganu, Malaysia, explored the lived experience of women with responsibilities for raising their children alone, following divorce. This qualitative study had 2 aims: (a) to understand the women's lived experiences, and (b) to determine their experience…

Community art therapy studios promote individual and communal transformation outside of traditional health settings. In this qualitative study, 3 art therapists observed 6 sessions of a community art therapy studio by making art and writing observations. Synthesis of their findings indicated the importance of tending to healthy relationships.…

This study compared the effects of 2 art activities (structured and nonstructured) and a focused breathing exercise on outcome measures of mindfulness, anxiety, and affect. Seventy-seven participants, recruited from university students and the general public, were randomly assigned to either 15 min of coloring a mandala (structured), free drawing…

This case study describes art therapy with a client diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Throughout 26 group art therapy sessions, significant emotional and behavioral changes unfolded along three distinct phases of the process. These stages included: identifying losses, reconciling difficult relationships, and articulating her dreams…

This study compared students with specific learning disorders (SLDs) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS). Thirty students with SLDs, 30 students with ADHD, and 30 students without SLDs/ADHD in Babol (Iran) completed the Person Picking an Apple from a Tree (PPAT) assessment.…

Objective: College students experience unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety, impacting their desire to perform well and live a balanced life. Mindfulness-based practices along with art therapy techniques have been demonstrated to improve psychological and physiological impacts of stress and anxiety among college students. Participants: 12…

This qualitative study explored how online individual art-therapy based (ATB) self-help tasks could support international students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Twenty-two students participated in 7 weekly online asynchronous sessions that included both art-making and reflecting writing. Emergent themes included: (1) frustration of…

We propose a leadership framework for the creative art therapies (CATs) as a means to affect the sociopolitical contexts of our clinical and scholarly practices. The new model of facilitative leadership includes 3 aspects: developing the self, developing others, and envisioning a creative and just future.

This study tested 2 hypotheses: (a) tactile experience is critical to the effect of creation of clay work in enhancing psychological well-being, and (b) sense of temperature is one of the mediating factors that underlies the effectiveness of tactile experience. Using an experimental research design, 36 Chinese adult participants created clay work…

This brief report describes the growth and expansion of the Art"Access" program at Queens Museum in New York, NY, that is shaped and operated by art therapists and teaching artists. Art"Access" was first piloted in 1983 as Please Touch for individuals who are blind or have low vision. The authors conducted oral history research…