Amy Powell

Project title: Assessing the efficacy of a group art therapy program designed to strengthen the self-concept of preadolescent girls before they transition into high school

Development from infancy to adulthood is marked by many milestones that help to shape who we are and what our drive is. For me, my artistic journey began very early and developed into an intense passion by adolescence. In this time, I learned that art had a very powerful effect on my emotions and helped me to navigate personal challenges and relationships. Experiencing this firsthand became the reason I chose a career in art therapy. Being able to support others on their own journey through art has been an incredibly powerful experience and I look forward to embarking on a pathway that allows me to engage in lifelong learning and the therapeutic process.

My research delves into a strengths-based art therapy program that I had the pleasure of developing with my supervisor at the end of my first placement in 2022. This program supports a small group of year 6 girls to develop self-reflexive skills and recognise their positive and unique qualities. Using a combination of psychoeducation and art making, the project aims to help children build their self-concept and contribute to their resilience as they grow and change through adolescence. Throughout this journey, one of the many highlights has been to observe how the participants immerse themselves in the art materials and create positive relationships with other group members, and I hope that the findings from this research will allow me to advocate for practical ways to include art therapy programs within the school environment.

My artworks represent a response to these experiences through the metaphor of growth and change. In particular, the series of sonogram drawings invite the audience to witness intimately the highs and lows of conducting research as an art therapy student. By using felt tip pens, the sketches have a sense of permanency and line is used to convey texture and depth to the images. Finally, the metaphor of the womb represents the supportive environment in which my research has been allowed to flourish. The act of creating these artworks has allowed me to think deeply about my journey and the development of my personal and professional identity.