“Permission to Come Out of The Dark”: A Qualitative Analysis of Male and Female Veterans’ Use of a Telehealth Art Therapy Intervention

Abstract

Telehealth has expanded access to psychotherapy for veterans, yet little is known about how art therapy is experienced in remote formats. In this paper, we describe a thematic analysis that involved male and female veterans with PTSD and TBI (aside from one participant without a TBI) in individual telehealth art therapy. This paper explores the similarities and differences in male and female veterans’ engagement in art therapy. Nine veterans (6 male, 3 female) diagnosed with PTSD (with most also having TBI) participated in eight sessions of individual telehealth art therapy. Clinical notes, session summaries, and artwork were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns in veterans’ therapeutic experiences. Three primary themes emerged from the data: a) Striving to manage self and emotions; b) Diverse relationships with artmaking and media; and c) Seeking to improve interpersonal connection. Telehealth art therapy supported emotional expression, trauma processing, and relational insight in veterans with PTSD and TBI. The findings underscore the value of flexible, personalized approaches in remote care and demonstrate how art therapy can be meaningfully adapted for telehealth delivery and meet the needs of diverse participants. Future research should explore hybrid models, individualized interventions, and the influence of identity and environment on therapeutic engagement and outcomes, as well as the possibly unique experiences of male and female veterans.