A Heuristic Inquiry of Self-Care and Self-Compassion through Journaling, Artmaking, and Imaginal Dialogue
Loading...
Author
Boender, Madison
Date
2021
Degree
Master of Arts in Art Therapy
Abstract
This heuristic study looked at the experience of practicing self-care as an online art therapy graduate student as well as explored the relationship between self-care and self-compassion. Background on the importance and ethical imperative of self-care and self-compassion were discussed. Definitions for burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, countertransference, journaling, artmaking, and imaginal dialogue were provided. Over the course of 4 weeks, the researcher-participant engaged in pre-and-post mindfulness journaling, art making and imaginal dialogue. The Self-Compassion Scale, developed by Kristin Neff (2003), was self-administered at the start and at the end of the study. After completion, the data collected through journal entries, artworks and imaginal dialogue were thematically analyzed. The researcher-participant found that journaling, artmaking, and imaginal dialogue as forms of self-care resulted in increased self-awareness, access to emotions, personal growth, self-compassion, and understanding of the function and importance of self-care.