Graduation Date

2026

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Project Type

Mixed Methods

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Art Therapy

Program

Art Therapy

Program Director

Lisa Hinz, PhD, ATR-BC

First Reader

Lisa Hinz, PhD, ATR-BC

Second Reader

Veronica Fruiht, PhD

Abstract

The development of art therapy in Singapore has advanced rapidly over the last two decades. Yet, to date, there has not been a comprehensive overview of art therapy in Singapore. Additionally, more research is needed to understand how the complex component of regulation can benefit the profession of art therapy. This study therefore set out to paint a picture of art therapy in Singapore, capture the art therapy community’s thoughts and opinions concerning regulation, and identify actionable ways to advance the profession. A mixed method design was employed which utilized a survey and interviews to gather quantitative, qualitative, and arts-informed data. Participants included 80 members of the Singapore art therapy community who participated in the survey and 29 members who completed the interview. The survey gathered participants’ thoughts on various aspects of art therapy in Singapore, including demographics, participants’ experiences in the profession, perceived importance of various regulatory factors, and thoughts on the state of the profession, governmental regulation, and hopes for the future. The interview invited participants to create art and answer open-ended questions to collect more in-depth reflections. Analysis of the data revealed that art therapy in Singapore functions as an ecological system, with interconnected levels based on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. This finding led to the discovery that the regulation of art therapy is a multi-level concept involving all levels of the ecological system. Similarly, it was also found that action can be taken on every system level to advance the growth of the profession. This study provided a novel and culturally responsive framework to understand the functioning, regulation, and growth of art therapy that applies to Singapore but can also be adapted internationally.

IRB Number

11282

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