Journal article
Indigenous and traditional arts in art therapy: Value, meaning, and clinical implications
The Arts in psychotherapy, v 77, p101879
01 Feb 2022
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
There is limited research on the health implications of Indigenous and traditional art practices. This study investigated the therapeutic value and meaning of these practices and their use in art therapy. Twenty-one art therapists who identified as belonging to or working closely with a culturally diverse or Indigenous community provided insights about the use of traditional art practices in therapy or their own artmaking. Through grounded theory methodology, we developed a framework to identify therapeutic potentials, individual and community benefits and risks of involving culturally significant art practices in art therapy. Results suggested that Indigenous and traditional art practices are embedded in the culture and land they emerge from. These practices are considered familiar if the client has learned them from older generations which can lead to increased cultural pride and reclaiming cultural identity. Certain art practices and art forms have specific therapeutic qualities that can be used with a larger population. Our findings led to the development of an emerging ecological model of Indigenous and traditional art practices. The model suggests that the individual, family, community, and culture are deeply interlinked. When using traditional and Indigenous arts in art therapy, we suggest art therapists to consider this ecological model and make ethical choices to avoid appropriation.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Indigenous and traditional arts in art therapy: Value, meaning, and clinical implications
- Creators
- Asli Arslanbek - Drexel UniversityBani Malhotra - Drexel UniversityGirija Kaimal - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- The Arts in psychotherapy, v 77, p101879
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- Drexel University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000742566000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85121615393
- Other Identifier
- 991019168341104721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychology, Clinical
- Rehabilitation