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Virtual Reality in Art Therapy: A Pilot Qualitative Study of the Novel Medium and Implications for Practice
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Virtual Reality in Art Therapy: A Pilot Qualitative Study of the Novel Medium and Implications for Practice

Girija Kaimal, Katrina Carroll-Haskins, Marygrace Berberian, Abby Dougherty, Natalie Carlton and Arun Ramakrishnan
Art therapy, v 37(1)
01 Jan 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2019.1659662
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Psychology, Clinical Psychology Social Sciences
Virtual reality (VR) therapies have been used in health and mental health care settings. The applicability of VR expressive tools has not yet been examined adequately in the creative arts therapies. This pilot qualitative study reports on 17 participants' experiences with VR art-making tools to determine its relevance to art therapy practice and research. Findings indicate that VR-based self-expression is an embodied visual expression, generates novel artistic and imaginal responses, and requires a developmental trajectory in expression and mastery. The unique characteristics of art therapy in VR were identified as positive emotions, play and exploration, learning and mastery, access, and storage. VR has the potential to enhance psychological health and well-being through creativity, enhanced imagination, interactivity, and problem solving.

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32 Record Views
44 citations in Web of Science
56 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Clinical
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