An Investigation of Adapted Art Therapy Practices at The Community Table

This thesis investigates The Community Table (TCT), which involves adapted art therapy practice developed and conceptualized by the charity Art Refuge between 2017 and 2018 to address the psychological needs of asylum seekers in France and the UK. As an art therapist with Art Refuge, the author aims to comprehensively understand TCT to develop a theoretical framework and practical insights for this new adapted art therapy practice. This study employs a phenomenological approach, incorporating perspectives from participants including asylum seekers, humanitarian workers, volunteers, and facilitators to explore the meanings, perceived impact, and mechanisms of change of TCT. Reflexive thematic analysis is utilized to identify key themes underlying TCT practice. Findings reveal that TCT interventions are perceived by the participants in the study as positively impactful, generating positive memories of home culture and identity and fostering moments of creativity, joy, and a sense of visibility for asylum seeker participants. Asylum seeker participants report that TCT generates positive memories and experiences, helping them to cope with their present challenges and feel more hopeful for the future and contributing to their overall wellbeing. Notably, TCT is recognized for promoting democratic art therapy practice by involving diverse stakeholders and fostering a sense of community for marginalized individuals. Unexpectedly, TCT is also seen as positively influencing the mental health and work satisfaction of volunteers and humanitarian workers. Key mechanisms of change resulting in the above impact include the stance and attitude of the art therapists, culturally sensitive and imaginative art materials, an understanding of the impact of displacement both practical and conceptual, and the inclusion of artists in the facilitation team with lived experience of displacement. Theoretical advancements from this study highlight the significance of the loss of home due to displacement and the impact of this on the meaning and intention of TCT; the impact of time and space in response to both displacement and a crisis context; the role TCT plays in supporting people to be able to emotionally cope in difficult circumstances and imagine something better; the specific role of the art therapists at TCT and the need for their necessary skills and abilities to be both robust and effective at TCT; the importance of the art materials, which ones are chosen, how they are used, and how they are curated by the facilitators at TCT; the importance of the facilitators of TCT to understand, work with, and adapt (when appropriate) to the macro and micro contexts TCT is in; the importance of reflexive thinking by facilitators; and the significance of social connection and how to consider democratizing a space.