Page 26 - ART FORM AND MENTAL HEALTH - Ingrid Pénzes

ABSTRACT
Diverse approaches to art therapy assessment agree that art materials should play a central role. However, relatively little research is done on the role of different art materials. This article describes the results of a qualita- tive study on the use of art materials by art therapists in art therapy assess- ment of adults with mental health problems in The Netherlands.
Nine qualitative in-depth interviews were analyzed using Grounded The- ory, which produced a theoretical framework of the use of art materials in art therapy assessments. This study showed that the way in which a client interacts with specific properties of art materials (i.e., the material interac- tion) reflects aspects of the client’s mental health. Methodical application of specific properties of art materials enables art therapists to observe the client’s material interaction and gain insight into the client’s mental health. This observation helps art therapists with decisions to offer further treat- ment, formulate treatment goals and choose appropriate art interventions. Material interaction links art material properties to art making, art product and mental health, and it may connect the diverse approaches to art ther- apy assessment.
24 | Chapter 2