The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore the art therapist's perspective of working
with victims of disaster and implications of art therapy after a disaster experience. Empirical
research in disaster relief is limited, likely due to the unpredictable nature of disasters and the
unique circumstances of each disaster event. Victims of disaster are at risk for developing
symptoms related to acute stress disorder and post traumatic stress disorder related to their
disaster experience. Art therapists have worked alongside other mental health providers to assist
and treat victims of disaster within the immediate and delayed response to a disaster. Literature
on art therapy with victims of disaster is heavily weighted on art therapy with children after a
disaster, with few studies including adolescents or adults. This study used a qualitative clinicalethnographic
grounded theory approach to understand what art therapists do and how they work
with victims of disaster that aids in healing from these traumatic events. The findings of this
study suggest the participating art therapists valued openness and flexibility in their work,
varying their approach based upon the timing of their response (immediate or delayed),
consideration for the environment in which they worked, they took on a variety of roles in the
disaster response community, and emphasized the practices of self-care as beneficial for their
own well-being and for increased quality of care for their clients.
