International Online Art Therapy Education Program: Evaluating Cultural and Global Perspectives

The study evaluated the impact of an international online summer program for art therapy students from Mexico, the United States, and Israel on their cultural and global perspectives. Quantitative (pre- and post-program measures of the Global Perspective Inventory) as well as qualitative tools (focus groups, art and written responses) were used. There were significant mean increases in four of the six global perspective inventory scales. Students' narratives and art responses illuminated four overarching themes: (1) gratitude for global connection, (2) growing awareness of one's experience and context, (3) growing understanding of similarities and differences, and (4) art as facilitator of intercultural communication. Findings suggest that the program supported the development of culturally informed art therapy.