Özet:

The subject of this research is art therapy practices carried out with the population groups which social work distinguishes as vulnerable groups such as elderly, disabled, drug addict, refugee, etc. In order to examine the state and possibilities of art to create beneficial change and well-being on vulnerable populations, answers to the following questions were sought through in-depth interviews with nine art therapy practitioners in Turkey: With which groups are the art therapy applications performed, what are the important points in art therapy practices with vulnerable groups, which techniques are used in the therapy process, what kind of experiences are formed in art therapy works with sensitive groups, how and in what way the studies affect the participants, if people working in the field of mental therapy are to receive art education, how will it affect their life patterns and professional practices. As a result of the study, it has been concluded that art therapy practices are more efficient than verbal therapies in empowering disadvantaged groups facilitating the expression of bodily awareness and emotions, especially pain. They are beneficial in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. In studies where oral therapies are inadequate, they are functional in terms of supporting an explainable and meaningful world view. It has also been concluded that the therapeutic use of art in social work education is beneficial for both clients and experts, although art therapists find art therapy training insufficient in our country.

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