Abstract
Formal elements are often used in art therapy assessment. The assumption is that formal elements are observable aspects of the art product that allow reliable and valid assessment of clients’ mental health. Most of the existing art therapy assessment instruments are based on clinical expertise. Therefore, it is not clear to what degree these instruments are restricted to formal elements. Other aspects might also be included, such as clinical expertise of the therapist. This raises the question of whether and how formal elements as observable aspects of the art product are related to clients’ mental health. To answer this question, four studies are presented that look at: (1) a meta-theoretical description of formal elements; (2) operationalization of these formal elements so they can be analyzed reliably in clients’ art products; (3) establishment of reliable and clinically relevant formal elements; (4) the relationship between formal elements and adult clients’ mental health. Results show that the combination of the formal elements “movement,” “dynamic,” and “contour” are significantly interrelated and related to clients’ mental health, i.e., psychopathology, psychological flexibility, experiential avoidance, and adaptability. These findings give insight in the diagnostic value of art products and how they may add to clients’ verbal expression and indicate their potential to benefit from therapy.
Highlights
Art therapy is an experiential treatment in which the art form is therapeutically applied to initiate experiences that allow processes of change, development, stabilization or acceptance that support emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, neurological or physical aspect of functioning (American Art Therapy Association [AATA], 2020; British Association of Art Therapists [BAAT], 2020)
We report four studies that look at: (1) a taxonomy of formal elements; (2) an operationalization of these formal elements to analyze them reliably in clients’ art products; (3) establishment of reliable and clinically relevant formal elements; (4) the relationship between formal elements and adult clients’ mental health
Formal elements of category 6 mainly concern photography or art products with realistic styles as in “baroque” and “romanticism.” Because these are rarely seen in art therapy, we did not include this category in our model
Summary
Art therapy is an experiential treatment in which the art form is therapeutically applied to initiate experiences that allow processes of change, development, stabilization or acceptance that support emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, neurological or physical aspect of functioning (American Art Therapy Association [AATA], 2020; British Association of Art Therapists [BAAT], 2020). Art therapy observation and assessment is considered to be a key to estimate what the client’s problem is, to determine whether a client may benefit from art therapy, to formulate treatment goals and to apply the appropriate art interventions (Hinz, 2009, 2020; Gilroy et al, 2012; Malchiodi, 2012). Most art therapists adhere clinical value to the art products of their clients. They recognize in art products signs of their clients’ mental health, as well as cues on how to treat, i.e., what therapeutic goals and interventions should be chosen (indication)
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