Facilitating the process of becoming an art therapist : a heuristic inquiry

This heuristic inquiry examines how the author's process of creating artwork has enhanced and accompanied her on-going development toward becoming an art therapist. Creative practice is both the subject matter of the research and part of the method of inquiry. Moustakas's stages of heuristic research are discussed, along with the use of art making as a useful means of exploring those stages. Theory and literature related to the use of art making as a part of art therapy education is presented along with art making for professional self-processing. Winnicott's theory of potential space is applied to the author's concept of creating a personal, sacred and reflective space through individual art making. Overall, this research project is about a process of self-discovery and of gaining a deeper understanding of the potential art making has as a vehicle for transformation