| This researcher asked the question, "How are different Art Therapists currently using and conceptualizing art therapy assessments?" This question was examined through a qualitative phenomenological study in which two art therapists were interviewed and data was analyzed through thematic analysis. Data analysis resulted in the identification of three major themes including, art therapy assessment current use as flexible and adaptive, adapted over the course of clinical practice, and perceptions of wider use are varied . Five additional subthemes included uses are conditional, conducted informally, axial factors assessed, value in treatment, and limitations in treatment. Participants used assessment based on factors such as their educational histories, work settings, and client populations. Composite responses from the two participants described how their approaches and formats for art therapy assessment were overall informal, as well as that the factors they assessed in clients were adaptive to key areas and needs in their treatment settings and therapeutic approaches. Due to the limited number of participants, this study established preliminary themes for much needed, further investigative research. The themes and subthemes demonstrated how two art therapists were using and thinking about art therapy assessments, and why. This study suggested that when developing further informative approaches to assessment for clinical practices, art therapists may consider how multiple impacts such as research, graduate education experiences, treatment settings and populations, and treatment team approaches influence their use. This study also discussed the need for research to further investigate how intersectional cultural identity and therapist bias may impact the current use of art therapy assessment. |
