| This study is designed to investigate and compare the use of responsive art making between art therapy credentialed professionals and art therapy students. Responsive art making is a tool used to aid the art therapist/art therapy student in maintaining balance and self-care. By engaging in the creative process and creating artwork in response to clinical experiences one is able to gain a better understanding of themselves and their clients. This research focuses on responsive art making as a means of self-processing, self-exploration, continued personal/professional growth, and self-care.;The use of an online survey was emailed to 200 participants listed in the membership directory of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA). In order to participate, individuals were required to either be currently enrolled in a master's program in the field of art therapy or be an art therapy credentialed professional currently working in the field of art therapy. The survey consists of questions that were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. As hypothesized, art therapists believe in the importance of personal engagement in art making, however, the frequency in which they do so is less often compared to that of art therapy students. Overall, results revealed that responsive art making is beneficial to the field of art therapy. |
