Professional development of creative arts therapists: Foundations, experiences and paths

Creative arts therapists are interdisciplinary professionals with diverse backgrounds and fields of intervention, required to be experts at integrating expressive-creative processes with the therapeutic process. Due to the complexity and duality of this work, and the multiple influences they experience, the professional identity of creative arts therapists has been under discussion, mainly in countries where the profession is recognized and professional institutions established. The objective of this study was to explore the foundations, characteristics and paths of the professional identity of creative arts therapists in a country where the profession is not yet recognized. Content analysis of semi-structured interviews with beginners and senior arts therapists working in Portugal. Six themes emerged: Training conditioning, Practice conditioning, Creative and Expressive path, Therapeutic path, Intervention, and Self-Reflection. Participants mentioned social and personal influences on their path, including family, creative-expressive aspects and personal therapy. Arts were the main theoretical foundations referenced by the participants, with emphasis on drama and movement, and within psychology, mainly dynamic and group approaches. The main guides of professional practice are the patients they work with, highlighting the therapeutic relationship. Other relationships are also highly relevant as motivators for self-reflection, especially those with colleagues. The main conflicts regarding professional identity occur in the art and therapy axis, while the main point of cohesion is between personal and professional life. These results are crucial for shaping both academic training and professional practice, ensuring the continued growth and recognition of arts therapy as a vital profession in Portugal. • Family, creative aspects and personal therapy influence arts therapists' paths • The main internal conflicts on professional identity occur in the art-therapy axis • The main point of cohesion is between personal and professional life • Continuous training, artistic practice and reflection opportunities are crucial • Peer support spaces and activities that foster professional reflection are needed