Should I Save my Marriage?: Addressing Couple Relationships by Means of Art Therapy Intervention

Abstract

Objective.

This study investigates the case of a female patient, who was experiencing marital problems and had separated from her spouse, with whom an art (drawing) therapy process was carried out.

Aim.

It was aimed to address the relationship of the couple by supporting the ego and increasing self-awareness skills by means of art materials (drawings) in the process of the situational crisis.

Method.

Case study.

Result.

With this case study, it was aimed to make emphasis on the impact of drawing sessions as a means of using art in therapeutic relationships for self-awareness and opportunity for development in a situational crisis during marriage.

Conclusion.

During the process of individual art therapy, nine sessions and eight drawing tasks were conducted. The case patient, OS, had been separated from her spouse for 2 months. In the first session, a personal history was taken, the scores of the state-trait anxiety scale was evaluated and a therapy plan was jointly developed. Each action was carried out by providing specific instructions. Each session was evaluated within the same week in a supervision meeting with an expert experienced in art therapy and the next session was planned. OS, who developed self-awareness as a result of the sessions, evaluated his/her expectations and boundaries in his/her relationship and discovered the connections with her own nuclear family. In a session with OS one year later, she gave the information that she had started to share a house with her spouse.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.