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Women’s experiences of change through art therapy

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Author

  • Gärd Marie Louise Holmqvist
  • Henrika Jormfeldt
  • Ingrid Larsson
  • Cristina Lundqvist

Summary, in English

Background: Art therapy is based on the conception that image making in a therapeutic context may facilitate processes of change. Methods: A semi-structured interview with focus on the image was conducted with 17 women in order to explore change, after which a qualitative content analysis was performed. Results: The women experienced internal change as a sudden, unexpected turning point or as a more gradual process, although some reported no internal change whatsoever. Five themes reflecting the women’s experiences of what was important for internal change emerged: Trust in the therapist, Belief in the method, Creative impulse, Meaning of the image and The art therapy process. Conclusions: Art therapy may contribute to change in the sense of moving from an inadequate to a healthier state. Even when art therapy does not lead to internal change it may be supportive and provide short-term help in everyday life.

Publishing year

2017-09-02

Language

English

Pages

199-212

Publication/Series

Arts and Health

Volume

9

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Topic

  • Other Health Sciences
  • Applied Psychology

Keywords

  • Art therapy
  • change
  • Expressive Therapies Continuum [ETC]
  • turning point

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1753-3015