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PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Thesis
Burnout defined, recognized, and experienced: a phenomenological analysis of creative arts therapists
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Aug 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011191
Abstract
Creative arts therapies are increasingly recognized as effective interventions for addressing burnout across diverse occupations. Yet, little is known about how creative arts therapists themselves uniquely understand, experience, and respond to burnout. Drawing on eleven in-depth interviews with creative arts therapists across multiple modalities and career stages, this study employs a phenomenological approach that centers participants' voices to illuminate the nuanced lived experiences of burnout in this professional community. The analysis identified themes of distinguishing burnout, chronic system stress, impacts on being a creative arts therapist, surviving burnout, sustainability, and numerous subthemes, highlighting how creative arts therapists conceptualize and navigate the personal and professional challenges of burnout. Supplementary questions within the interviews also highlight some potential strategies that might be taken, at both the individual and institutional levels, to address burnout. By focusing explicitly on the perspectives of practitioners, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the people behind the expanding field of creative arts therapy.
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Details
- Title
- Burnout defined, recognized, and experienced
- Creators
- Teagan Annesly
- Contributors
- Natalie Carlton (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 96 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022098142904721