Art for women’s sake: understanding feminist art therapy as didactic practice re-orientation

Catalysed through the coming together of feminist theories that debate ‘the politics of difference’ and through a reflection on the practices of art psychotherapy this paper seeks to illuminate the progressive and empowering nature that creative applications have for better mental health. It also seeks to critically expose and evaluate some of the marginalisation work that is also done within art psychotherapy practices, ultimately proposing a developmental practice activity and resource hub that will raise awareness, challenge traditional ways of thinking and doing, and provide a foundation for more inclusive practices.

This paper’s introduction is followed by a contextualisation of art therapy and third wave feminisms, with suggestion of how those can work together towards better praxis. The main discussion is the presentation of a newly developed practitioner activity and resource hub that art therapists can utilise to evaluate their current and on-going practice towards one of greater inclusivity and better reflexivity. Finally, in conclusion there will be a drawing together of what has been possible in feminist art psychotherapy, what is still possible, and with further alliances what could still yet be possible.

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