Using Superheroes as Response Art to Explore Client Strengths: A Heuristic Study
Loading...
Author
St. Clair, Kourtney
Date
2018
Degree
Master of Arts in Art Therapy
Abstract
This study explored the use of response art through creating superheroes to increase awareness
of client strengths. The researcher conducted a heuristic art-based study that investigated
personal knowledge, strengths, and mindfulness-based effects of response art. The study
evaluated the therapeutic benefits of personal response art for the purpose of understanding
clients’ strengths based on the intake and information learned about clients from a group therapy
process. This study increased the researcher’s awareness of clients’ strengths through the use of
response art, journaling, and reflection. The response art allowed the art therapist to have a firsthand
experience that increased insight and understanding of the clients with whom she worked at
her internship. This study demonstrated the importance of response art for the researcher’s
personal practice of art therapy. It supported the need for continued art therapy education and
on-going professional development.