Description
Arts therapies integrate creative process, psychological theories and human experience (American Art Therapy Association, 2022; Mārtinsone and Duhovska, 2023). Myths also help to form connection with past experiences (Powell, 2012). Thus, the symbolic language of myth can help to understand difficulties and see solutions (Podina, 2023). Also the development trends of arts therapies are important, as increasingly more emphasis is placed on culturally attuned therapy (Corin, 2023). From this perspective, myths are often used to discover and change the personal myth (Smartt, 2022).The research performed on the use of myths in arts therapies confirms that myths are an important therapeutic source. During the first stage of the research articles in arts therapies journals for professionals (n=31) were collected, including an analysis of theoretical approaches, that can help to understand how myths can promote therapeutic change. Considering the results of the first stage of the study and the recommendations of the art therapists – experts (n=3), semi-structured interviews with Latvian art therapists (n=11) were conducted, creating three thematic parts – Experience, Therapeutic process and Methods/Techniques.
In describing their experience of working with myths in the thematic part “Experiences”, art therapists have often emphasized that mythological characters embody both good and evil, that helps to understand human nature. Whereas in the thematic part “Therapeutic process”, art therapists note that the use of myths facilitates a deep therapeutic process. In order to understand how myths can be used in arts therapies, the applied methods/techniques are also important. A broader introduction to drama therapy methods/techniques will be provided. The results thus reflect the art therapists’ experience of working with myths, bringing to the forefront cultural identity, which influences how a person sees the world (Koç & Kafa, 2019) and can serve as a resource for overcoming individual difficulties.
| Period | 3 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 7th European Dramatherapy Conference / 2nd International Conference “Human & Nature in Dramatherapy” |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Riga, LatviaShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |