Embracing Art In Supervision: Cultivating An Identity

by Gerri Ann Riehl

This thesis examines how art making can be utilized in the Supervision process as a way of strengthening the identity, resiliency, and holding capacity of the art therapist. It also addresses the issue of vicarious trauma and explores art making as a cathartic release. A heuristic single case study is presented using a humanistic psychological framework to analyze the art-based data. The research strongly supports the theory of art making as having a positive and transformative effect on the art therapy intern. Also indicated in the research is evidence that art making and reflection may function to reduce the supervisee’s dependency upon the supervisor in distance supervision.