Why the sudden change? A qualitative study exploring factors influencing art therapists’ decisions to adapt to online art therapy delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.K
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this small-scale research study was to determine the compelling factors influencing Art
Therapists’ decisions to adjust to online art therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research aimed to
discover the views of U.K. based Art Therapists on the adaptations to their practice, implemented due to
the sudden restrictions in face-to- face delivery. It was hoped, through its findings the study would reveal
the attitudes of Art Therapists towards online Art Therapy delivery and explore how this could impact upon
its delivery. The study aimed to provide useful data in understanding what is helpful in the development of
online Art Therapy working and thus further inform the expansion of the field.
Methods
This research study explored “Why are art therapists in the U.K. adapting their practice during the Covid-19
pandemic?” through the subjective experience of five Art Therapists in a small-scale study using a
qualitative research design and the Constructivist Grounded Theory method. This was to allow for the co
construction of theory that included both participant and researcher experiences, while offering in-depth
analysis grounded in the data.
The researcher conducted 30-45 minute online video interviews with participants where they were asked
about their experiences and adaptations while working online as Art Therapists during the Covid-19
pandemic. The study was limited to Art Therapists living and working in the U.K. who were qualified and
registered with the British Association of Art Therapy and not employed within the NHS at the time of
interview. Data from interviews were transcribed and analysed consistent with the Constructivist Grounded
Theory approach using theoretical sampling and the constant comparison method in interpretation.
Findings
Through analysis of the data generated from interviews with all five participants who consented to take
part in the study, five main themes emerged in response to the research question: (1) Commitment to
Clients, (2) Inherent adaptability, Reflexivity and curiosity (in practice), (3) Determination, (4) Feeling
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Pressured and (7) Maintaining Identity. In addition to these the study also revealed other findings related
to the attitudes of Art Therapists related to adaptations they had made: (1) Reluctance to Adapt (Facing an
unknown and Lacking knowledge) and (2) Concerns about adaptations (Limitations and Safety).
Conclusions
Findings showed that the commitment Art Therapists felt to their clients and the need to maintain
consistency in their practice was significant, as was their apparent innate adaptability, flexibility and drive
to adapt sessions to suit their clients’ needs. Determination was identified as a potential cause of
adaptation, evidenced in the efforts to maintain connections and the drive to provide meaningful therapy
in a crisis situation. Pressure in the form of time limitations and financial responsibilities were key factors in
their decision to adapt online delivery, alongside the need to maintain their identity as Art Therapists and
define their practice.
Findings also revealed significant data on the feelings of Art Therapists in regards to their adapted practice
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Themes that emerged were: reluctance (facing an unknown and lacking in
knowledge) and concerns (limitations and safety). Art Therapists described feeling hesitant which they
attributed to their concerns around the unknown and felt they lacked knowledge and training, were
underqualified, unsupported and needing guidance. All of which contributed to feeling unconfident in
delivering Art Therapy online. The limitations of what online delivery could offer when compared to face
to-face caused apprehension and concern that the online platform omitted significant valuable elements in
the work and was not as effective.
Limitations & Implications
The study, being completed in a short time frame, was limited to a small number of participants which
allowed the researcher to focus on the quality of the data and subsequent in depth analysis, however, fully
exploring phenomena and drawing conclusions from the data may have been limited.
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The study itself took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, through which a further lockdown was imposed
on the U.K. population, which may have had a negative effect on interest and participation. A more even
distribution in terms of participants’ experience as qualified Art Therapists may have yielded more robust
data.
Prior to this study there had been limited evidence of research relating to attitudes of Art Therapists and
little exploring what factors influenced their decisions to adapt their practice to online delivery during
COVID-19. Findings may be of use in providing insight into factors influencing how Art Therapists may adapt
their practice to new technologies in the future. Further research is essential to provide a broader and
more widely reaching understanding of Art Therapists’ attitudes to adaptation in general, and in online
work specifically, during the current rapid expansions in this field.