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Art therapy with refugee children: a qualitative study explored through the lens of art therapists and their experiences

Akthar, Zahra
; 
Lovell, Andy
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Affiliation
University of Chester
EPub Date
Publication Date
2018-11-09
Submitted Date
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Health and Social Care
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Abstract
This article sets out to explore the use of art therapy with refugee children, from the perspective of art therapists and their experiences. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain insights by capturing experiences and stories. Using thematic analysis, five themes were identified: (1) giving voice; (2) rebuilding trust, opening wounds; (3) sharing stories, healing pain; (4) exploring identity, discovering new-self; and (5) understanding art therapy. Upon reflection, two key aspects of art therapy were established, these were identified as: (1) providing refugee children with a safe space to heal and discover new-self, and (2) giving refugee children a voice to express and share stories. Despite the last of the five themes (understanding art therapy) being established as a factor that limits the use of art therapy, this has created an avenue for further research. From the findings, it was concluded that art therapy can be a useful form of psychotherapy for refugee children. Art therapy can provide these children with a safe space to heal, and give them a voice to be heard.
Citation
Akthar, Z. & Lovell, A. (2018). Art therapy with refugee children: a qualitative study explored through the lens of art therapists and their experiences. International Journal of Art Therapy, 24(3), 139-148.
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Journal
International Journal of Art Therapy
Research Unit
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10034/621687
DOI
10.1080/17454832.2018.1533571
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Art Therapy on 9-11-2018, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2018.1533571
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ISSN
1745-4832
EISSN
1745-4840
ISBN
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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17454832.2018.1533571?scroll=top&needAccess=true