Growing a Garden: The Value of an Online Art Therapy Group for Adults Affected by Illnes

by Patricia Cameron

This research project examines the value of an online art therapy group for adults affected by illness. The group was offered online because of the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and because it best suited the needs of the participants in the group. The facilitators of the group took a phenomenological, trauma informed, relational, existential, and positive approach to the art psychotherapy. The participants worked with existential factors throughout the sessions including meaning and purpose, choice and freedom, identity and authenticity, connection and disconnection, and life and death. A phenomenological research approach was taken to collecting and examining the art and dialogue of eight online art therapy sessions. Throughout the sessions the facilitators observed how art making and metaphor functioned to allow the participants to express emotions, clarify their feelings, find meaning, and recognize their strengths while they grew compassion for themselves and others and created meaningful connections.