Strategic Scaffolding: Constructing Context-Specific and Sustainable Art Therapy Training in Southeast Asia (Échafaudage stratégique : construire une formation en art-thérapie durable et adaptée au contexte en Asie du Sud-Est)

Abstract

Art therapy training is important in charting the direction of professional competencies needed to practice in ways that remain relevant, contemporary, and context-specific. Strategic scaffolding of the discipline is a proactive approach initiated to strengthen the practice and training of art therapy for the purpose of ensuring the sustainability of the discipline itself. Scaffolding further extends to evolving one’s professional identity, currency in best practices, and responsiveness to emerging research, trends, and events. This is especially important where the discipline is nascent and affirming itself within local mental health landscapes. This article provides a reflective account of how strategic scaffolding was optimized to construct context-specific and sustainable art therapy training in Southeast Asia.