To Bridge Art Therapy and Computer Technology: The Visual Toolbox

Abstract

This brief report outlines what the authors see as fundamental issues: How computers provide a transactional space in the art therapy process, and how they can be used to support the interpersonal work that characterizes art therapy. However, there are some cautions. Because computers are a set of predetermined programs, they tend to standardize practice (Henderson, 1991; Suchman, 1987, 1994). However, as Rubin (1998) indicated, art therapy is eclectic. Furthermore, those who design the programs are not always aware what art therapists want or need; yet, end users generally tend to accept programs and applications as they are. If art therapists are not careful, developers will dictate what applications will work for them. The authors argue that art therapists need to develop a strategy to work with developers and designers to get them to understand what is needed. Borrowing from Star's (1989) concept of boundary objects, the authors propose a new type of boundary object that would provide an effective means to communicate and share ideas between the art therapy and development communities—the visual toolbox.

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