Therapeutic Art-making and Art Therapy: Similarities and Differences and a Resulting Framework

Abstract

The distinction between therapeutic art making and art therapy practice is unclear in the current literature. Clarification is needed due to the confusion surrounding the similarities and differences between the two practices. A literature review designed in the pragmatic paradigm and an instrumental case study were conducted in order to gain a better understanding of the distinctions between therapeutic art making and art therapy, and resulted in a suggested expanded definition of art therapy, a proposed definition of therapeutic art making, and a framework for conducting therapeutic art making experiences. The expanded definition of art therapy includes a variety of frameworks and approaches practiced by trained art therapists utilizing specific therapeutic goals. Therapeutic art making is a collaborative and transformative experience that is not based in the process of therapy and utilizes goals addressing the broader effect art making may have on participants. The framework includes essential and preferred elements in therapeutic art making experiences, which were based on the data collected and Kapitan’s (2010) structure of program evaluation and development. The framework can be used to evaluate existing projects or to develop new projects.