(Mount Saint Vincent University, 2013-09) Atlass, Alicia; Varga, Donna
Creative arts therapies [CATs] represent a collection of techniques utilizing one or
several elements of creative arts as the main tool within the therapy and are becoming a
popular alternative to traditional therapies and medications for a variety of conditions.
This thesis examines the awareness of creative arts therapies within a community, and the
interest level in the establishment of a practitioner association by gathering data from
practitioners in related fields. Sixteen practitioners in the community of focus completed
an interview or survey. Two sets of questions were designed; one set for participants
specifically engaging in creative arts therapies for their work, and one set for those who
utilize elements of the creative arts in their work without therapeutic intent. Participants
answered between 16 and19 questions about their work-based affiliation to CATs, their
knowledge of creative arts therapies, and their potential interest in an association for
practitioners. Results indicated the majority of participants were unaware of services
available in the community, and were unable to fully define the term creative arts
therapies. All but one participant indicated some level of interest in a practitioner
association, yet most expressed concerns or conditions to accompany their interest.