"We Were Silent and Now Have Voices": Qualitative Analysis of Low Income Women's Experiences Healing and Thriving Through a Community Arts Group

Abstract

Marginalized communities without financial power often lack access to psychotherapy, particularly therapeutic arts and somatic psychotherapies, and traditional psychotherapy does not always meet their needs. This study explored the experiences of women living at the intersection of gender- and class-based discrimination in a novel group healing arts psychotherapy model, which was described in a previous issue of this journal. Data included participatory observations and interviews. Six group participants, all low-income women older than age 18 years, were formally interviewed. Qualitative inductive thematic data analysis revealed five overarching domains: (a) psychological realities and life challenges, (b) interpersonal growth processes within the community arts group, (c) art processes facilitating insight, (d) internalized healing and changes, and (e) goals to continue art and take risks. Implications and future directions for expanding the field of group-based healing arts are discussed.