Coming Out Through Art Analysis

The article I chose from the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) was written by Laura M. Pelton-Sweet and Alissa Sherry, titled, “Coming Out Through Art: A Review of Art Therapy With LGBT Clients.” They found that the potential between LGBT clients and the use of creative art interventions is an area that deserves more research. It states that AATA does not publish guidelines for working with LGBT clients because homosexuality is no longer classified as a mental illness or disease. However, this does not make the realities people within the LGBT population face in their daily lives. We can still provide help and support specifically designed to suit the specific needs of this population; we are not trying to help, cure, or
It made me realize the difficulties people in the LGBT community face daily in their lives, and the emotional toll it takes on them. I feel as though this may be a great place for me to conduct research, and use it to further the positive effect art therapy can have on the LGBT community. Creating a physical object to examine issues such as identity, intimacy, and power can allow clients to see the invisible pain and secrets that they have been holding on to. The art pieces can also empower the client and facilitate them throughout the coming out process. I feel as though the lack of research in this field is disappointing, because there is so much art therapy has to offer clients who are LGBT that need little or no modification at all. I am interested in doing research, and the lack of prior research on this topic makes me want to become an ally and begin to see researchers look more into art therapy and the coming out process, and maybe get to help with the research myself as
170). It was a balance of deciding to disclose the information, or keeping it privately. Secondly it is to be accepted by family, friends, and peers. The biggest question that I have from doing this research is why is there not more research covering this topic? Art therapy has been around for many years, and it surprised me that there have not been any studies of the effects of art therapy with LGBT clients specifically. Especially given their increased risk for mental health disorders and suicide. A new idea that occurred to me by doing this research project is that I could make researching art therapy with LGBT clients part of achieving my goal as a therapist. I know that I will have to do some sort of in-depth research project in my future, and it seems that there is a lot of places within the LGBT community and art therapy that I could conduct research