Trish Bedford, MA, PGC

ABSTRACT

Art Therapy and Beyond: Emerging practice innovations and implications for practice and research in the Arabian Gulf

Trish Bedford

TherapeuticArt Global Ltd & Create Your Way Ltd

Dr Mowafa Househ

College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Dr Jens Schneider

College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Dr. Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, MD, CGC PCT, CGC ISID, PMI PMP

Qatar Cancer Society

Engaging in the arts has been demonstrated scientifically to enhance brain function. Creativity can modify a person’s perspective and experience of the world. Changes in cerebrum waves impact changes in the nervous system which can raise serotonin. This can affect emotions positively by regulating moods and improving brain function which influences both psychological and physiological wellbeing. Creativity is part of our natural development and should be a part of our healing as a community.

Art Therapy (AT), a relatively new field of the mental health profession is met with innovative adaptations as it is recognized as a stand-alone clinical intervention and through community engagement and social justice. Art Therapists are collaborating within diverse fields of clinical and non-clinical practice such as neuroscientists and virtual reality.

These three papers explore the development of Art Therapy as a profession in Qatar and how AT is an accessible and underutilised or often misjudged profession.

Paper one will give an introduction to the numerous ways that AT is practised as a clinical, social action and community-based profession. It will introduce intercessions that might address the shame connected with psychological wellness, through connecting communities and sharing experiences of how it is being accessed by the general public and by clinical professionals to support their careers, prompting less burnout. The western trained Art Therapist's awareness of cultural competence when working in the context of non-western cultural approaches to mental health is imperative to complement the heritage, creativity and community values. Intersectional frameworks will inform ethical professional values to be upheld. There will be an AT experiential for the attendees to take part in.

The paper second paper will develop how AT offers context to reduce the stigma of mental health in Qatar. A presentation of the first Museum and Gallery AT visit in Qatar, with patients attending a substance misuse program. The outcomes included increased engagement in clinical sessions and an art exhibition that was held in the hospital and at conferences within Qatar and seen globally.

The third paper will introduce the global shifts post Covid-19 working, connecting online and how AT has adapted to using technology before and following the Covid-19 pandemic. Technology used within AT is not new. Recently art therapists are using Virtual Reality, where the client becomes part of the world they have created, interacting in it, with the art therapist present. The Emotion Sensing Recognition (ESRA) app was developed with the consultation of an Art Therapist to ensure the ethics of working with images. This Artificial Intelligence application can increase positive parent-child attachment, and increase the ability to recognise and talk about feelings for parent and child.

AT is a cost-effective adaptive treatment and is being prescribed by General Practitioners in the UK and USA alongside visits to museums, choirs etc. How will Qatar embrace this adaptable, unique profession and ensure it is ethically practised by trained licensed art therapists? Collaborative research and training within different fields should be encouraged. References available on request

BIO

Trish Bedford, Trauma-Informed Art Psychotherapist, (18yrs+) Early intervention autism/ adhd, addictions, behaviour disorders, career transitions, at-risk children, refugees, asylum seekers, expat/third culture/life transitions. Brainspotting BIPOC 1&2 trained, Clinical Supervisor, Art Therapy Masters Lecturer, Activist, Research Consultant, Artist, and Published Author working globally, currently living in Qatar. Trish presented at international and regional mental health conferences and panel discussions. She gained her Masters in Art Therapy, PGC in Refugee Care in UK. Baat and AATA, BAATN HCPC registered.

Trish is the first-ever Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead Associate Editor on the Board of the International Journal of Art Therapy (IJAT).

She developed the first Expressive Arts Therapies service in Qatar in an addiction’s hospital from 2016-2020. Since 2020 she continues to develop and collaborate with community, private individual & group art therapy in Qatar, UK and internationally. She supervises art therapists and other mental health clinicians working with trauma, enduring mental health, asylum seekers and refugees. Following Refugee Care Masters, she explored the needs of the volunteers and was amongst the first to highlight the vicarious trauma and burnout in Calais and other European Refugee camps during 'Refugee Crisis' starting 2015. Creating online support groups with mental health experts and training. She is developing psychosocial advisory for Idlib with the Red Crescent in Doha and Gaziantep. She is passionate about developing art therapy in Qatar and globally, welcomes collaboration with growth mindset.