Practitioners’ experiences of holding when delivering art therapy, compared with arts-for-health activities

Background High-profile evidence positions arts-based activities as viable and beneficial healthcare practices. However, studies do not sufficiently delineate the therapeutic actions of art psychotherapy from arts-for-health activity, resulting in lack of clarity about which type of art-based activity may be most appropriate for whom.Aims The study aims to further our understanding of the therapeutic action of holding in art-based healthcare activities, referencing Donald Winnicott’s theory of the developmental ‘holding environment’.Methods Three art therapists who practice in both roles attended semi-structured interviews and produced artworks on the theme of experiences of holding in art therapy and arts-for-health. Transcripts and artworks were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.Results Five superordinate themes emerged for each realm of practice, discussed alongside phenomenological concepts of identity, attention, relationship, temporality and accountability. In addition, two general themes transcended both practices, namely, (1) holding feels different in each role and (2) tensions and opportunities between professions.Conclusions Some similarities in the experiences of facilitating art psychotherapy and arts-for-health activities are acknowledged, however phenomenological themes showed significant differences between experiences of holding within each practice.Implications for practice/policy/future research Results may be useful to aid appropriate decision making about arts-based healthcare commissioning and may also support future positioning of activities on the continuum of arts-based healthcare practice. Results also indicate that there are considerable opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration between professions, and that experienced art therapists are well-placed to provide arts-for-health supervision and/or consultation.