An artist meets a therapist : conflict and convergence in the identity of the emerging art therapist

I was an artist at first, who happened to be studying psychology. Later, I would discover the profession of art therapy. It seemed perfect. However, my experience during the graduate training program at Concordia University taught me that this hybrid identity was not the marriage in heaven that I had assumed it would be. There were certainly points of convergence, but there were also deep conflicts. This text is a heuristic inquiry into my experience of my artist self becoming acquainted with my new, emerging therapist self. It is also art-based research, as I focus on the artwork that I created during the two year program. The text explores the needs and motivations of each identity as they were reflected in my artwork. It is my contention that my product always reflected my process, and that my sense of satisfaction regarding the product indicated the level of understanding I had reached. Furthermore, I found that the aesthetic elements necessary for a satisfying work of art--balance, possibility, and belief--were also necessary for therapeutic success. As a result, I argue that there should be a greater focus on the art product in art therapy and art therapy training programs. Art Therapists should be encouraged to use their special skills in understanding the art product in order to further the goals of therapy