graduate work

Using a heuristic art-based approach, the researcher explored the effects of telehealth on the

therapeutic relationship and therapeutic presence on the field of Art Therapy through the

duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although at the time of writing the pandemic is far from

over, the researcher was able to recruit five participants, all practicing Art Therapy during the

pandemic in the United States, while conducting a series of interview questions and an artmaking

directive via an encrypted and HIPAA compliant telehealth platform of Doxy.Me. Through this

work, the researcher discovered the varying sense of control, connection, communication, and

contradictions that the body of participants (and the researcher, alike) had been experiencing, and

how this sense of awareness affects the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic presence when

working with clients via telehealth.