EXPRESSIVE ARTS EXPLORATION IN VR

Description:
This project aims to introduce VR into the realm of expressive arts healing and art therapy. Expressive Arts Therapy is a method developed by Paolo J Knill and taught at the European Graduate School. It can be used as a supplementary treatment to serious conditions such as PTSD, or to promote healing and mental wellbeing. It requires consistent practice and follow-up, making it an involved and self-reflective process.
 
Advised by Sinem Lanacı PhD, I have created a guide for therapists and counselors on how to incorporate VR into the Expressive Arts Healing methodology. One of my main goals is to formulate instructions on grounding oneself in going into a VR experience and reconnecting with one's surroundings after having a creative experience in VR. To this end, I explore the psychological effects of virtual reality experiences and their implications for art therapy. 

Process:
Expressive Arts Healing has 7 main steps: Fill-in, Grounding, Sensitization, Decentering, Aesthetic Response, Aesthetic Analysis, and Harvest. Each phase is of a flexible duration, but the therapy session takes about an hour and a half. I have led trial sessions on myself, had a guided session with Sinem Lanacı, and collected a group of volunteers to test out the methodology.


Outcomes:

• 5 Sample VR Therapy experiences

• 5 sample therapeutic VR art pieces

• Testing the impacts of a virtual environment, sound, and movement on art creation

• A VR art gallery in Spatial.io

Challenges: 

• Setting up VR in new environments to ensure a smooth experience

• Mastering screencasting and high-quality videos

• Undertaking the role of therapist and client at the same time