International Art Therapy Research

International Art Therapy Research Collaborations
Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPAT, LPCC
© 2009 Cathy Malchiodi
November 21, 2009, Dallas TX USA
www.internationalartherapy.org
International Art Therapy Research Collaborative

International Art Therapy Research Collaborative
Sub-group of Art Therapy Alliance on LinkedIn: see http://www.arttherapyalliance.org
Project of the International Art Therapy Organization [IATO]
Discussion board currently on LinkedIn
Web page for information and posting of projects; see http://www.internationalarttherapy.org/research

Art Therapy: One World, Many Visions

Why an International Art Therapy Research Collaborative?
Personal interest in collaborative research: children’s drawings, development, and posttraumatic stress disorder
Involved in several global art therapy initiatives currently
Successful scientific methods involve collaboration between research teams

Studies on Children and PTSD
From 2006 through present, conducting a study of children’s responses to a standard drawing task [human figure] and the impact of posttraumatic stress on their drawings [in contrast to control group].
Work with the International Criminal Court as consultant for the drawings by children of Darfur submitted as evidence of “war crimes.”

Research Focus: Analysis vs. Outcome Studies
Art therapists are largely focused on collecting drawings for analysis or comparison
In contrast, the most requests International Art Therapy Organization receives are for efficacy or outcome study data– from public, professionals, and international media such as CBS and CNN

Partnerships
International Child Art Foundation
National Institute for Trauma and Loss
Mad to Live
Combat Paper Project

Cultural Issues: Defining Terminology
Meaning of the term “art therapy”
Art therapy many mean all the arts in some cultures
Art has a different meaning, as does “drawing,” “painting,” etc.
Art therapy is not necessarily a mental health discipline in all parts of the world.
Cultural meaning of term “research”

Data Collection: Ethics & Diversity Issues
Adaptation of protocols to other cultures
Definition of scientific method in other countries
Informed consent may not be part of the language or rules
Let’s start to take a less “US-centric” view of ourselves as researchers and authorities

Somewhat Parallel Universes…
Goldsmith College/ Professor Emeritus Diane Waller & International Center for Research in Arts Therapies [ICRA]
“The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does mention art and music therapy in its various guidelines, but rarely. This is because despite over 60 years of extensive case study research and other qualitative projects, there are as yet very few examples of thorough systematic reviews and hardly any control group studies.”

And something to really pay attention to…
Wikipedia says [one of the top hits on any search engine]… “Scientific research into the effectiveness of art therapy is lacking…Research into the effectiveness of art therapy is generally published in journals such as the Art Therapy Journal, which is maintained by the American Art Therapy Association, and is therefore evaluated primarily by practitioners and students of art therapy.”
“Assessment of the effectiveness of art therapy by individuals independent from the art therapy community is lacking…. The practice of art therapy therefore should not be considered a form of evidence-based medicine or evidence-based mental health treatment.”
Moral: Art therapy community needs to get over itself; outside peer review is essential for credibility.

Contact Info…
Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPAT, LPCC
http://www.cathymalchiodi.com
International Art Therapy Organization
http://www.internationalarttherapy.org
info@theiato.org
Join the discussion on LinkedIn!
@ International Art Therapy Research Collaborative
Part of Art Therapy Alliance on LinkedIn

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International Art Therapy Research

by cathy malchiodi on Mar 31, 2010

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