Parallel pregnancies: The impact on the supervisory relationship and art therapy practice

Abstract

This paper explores a unique circumstance of simultaneous pregnancy within an art therapy supervisory relationship, and the impact of the supervisee therapist’s pregnancy on treatment with adolescents in art therapy. At the time of their parallel pregnancy journey, the co-authors served as art therapists, with the first author supervising the second author, at a residential treatment facility for adolescents with histories of severe trauma, abuse, and neglect. The existing literature is relatively silent on the topic of the art therapist’s pregnancy, as well as the impact of pregnancy on the clinical supervision relationship. Therefore, the authors utilized a reflective developmental model of supervision in which support, mutual inquiry, and education were critical in navigating the unique challenges specific to the three trimesters of pregnancy. Special attention is paid to description of practical issues that arose; including pregnancy disclosure, managing boundaries both with clients and in supervision, and maintaining self-care. Two case examples illustrate the impact of the supervisee therapist’s pregnancy on relational dynamics with adolescents, and client artwork. As women comprise the majority of practicing art therapists, the authors conclude that there may be a critical need for increased research, guidance, and support for art therapists in the under-explored area of the impact of pregnancy on therapeutic practice.