Cultural Humility in Art Therapy

Book excerpt: Introducing the concept of cultural humility, this guide offers a new perspective to the field of art therapy practice and theory. It explores cultural humility in art therapy research and assessment, clinical and community-based practice, social justice, self-care and pedagogy. The notion of cultural humility addresses the power differential and encourages individuals and institutions to examine privilege within social constructs. It emphasizes self-reflection and the ability of knowing one's self in order to allow the art therapist to appropriately interact with their client, whilst being mindful of their own bias, assumptions and beliefs. Each chapter ends with a reflective exercise. Offering practical guidance to this increasingly recognised concept, Cultural Humility in Art Therapy is essential to those wanting to move toward an unbiased social justice.