Abstract

Many of the art-based assessments available to art therapists rely on subjective interpretation of “signs,” potentially leading to methodological, theoretical and philosophical problems (Betts, 2006). The present qualitative research explores which constructs could be used to design an art-based assessment for young children in a psychiatric day hospital. Through an integrative review of current and historical literature, an assessment template is developed that incorporates observation and assessment of the client-therapist, client-artwork, and client-art material interactions. Ideas are drawn from literature about the current state of art-based assessments, psychological assessments for children, and the importance of the therapeutic alliance in child psychotherapy. Gaps in the literature and existing assessments are identified and a pilot art-based assessment is proposed which serves to address those gaps. The application of the assessment tool, as well as the establishment of validity and reliability of the assessment is beyond the scope of this paper and could be undertaken in future studies.