Connecting in New Ways: Art Therapy Trainees’ Experiences of Telehealth During COVID-19

Abstract

In March 2020, The Helen B. Landgarten Art Therapy Clinic [HBL ATC] transitioned to art therapy telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents a qualitative case study focused on emergent themes related to the efficacy and clinical themes as experienced and observed by a group of art therapy graduate student trainees. Findings show that art therapy trainees experienced art therapy telehealth to create opportunities for more diverse populations to access mental health services, provided safe spaces to promote self-expression, created a sense of hope and purpose, and increased connectedness during a crisis.