Light in the Darkness: Using Art Therapy to explore the Meaning of God in Difficult Times

by Patricia Flynn

Art therapy and spirituality have a harmonious relationship. A group of seven men and women between the ages of 35 and 70 took part in empirical and qualitative research. Using a humanistic and phenomenological approach, there was an effort to get to the essence of how one perceives God and the meaning of “God” in one’s life, especially in times of suffering and confusion. A case study of one woman’s experience gives an in- depth look at how art therapy helped her clarify her beliefs, come to greater self understanding and helped her work through troubling issues in her life.