A Qualitative Study with Art Therapists on the Use of Art as Self-Care in Addressing Vicarious Trauma
Graduation Date
Spring 2011
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Dean
Lisa Bjerknes, MD, MBA
First Reader
Laury Rappaport, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC
Abstract
This study sought to discover how art therapists use art for self-care to prevent vicarious trauma.
To expand upon current research, the researcher conducted a qualitative study through facilitating semi-structured interviews with ten art therapist participants and recording their experiences in using art as self-care to address vicarious trauma. Seven themes emerged, which included the therapists experiencing the following: extemalization, connecting with Art Therapists, engagement in spirituality, gaining access to insight and meaning, bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness, transformation, and finally, an improved mood. This study highlights the benefits art therapists experience through artmaking to prevent and manage vicarious trauma.