Abstract

Self-awareness is a basic knowledge training an art therapist needs to acquire to be able to reflect on biases and blind spots. Self-censorship as a form of political distortion does not allow the content of unconsciousness to be integrated into the ego. One-sidedness of the ego will block the development of self fully. Active imagination, is a Jungian method and it promotes mending the relationship between one's ego and the unconscious. With the help of active imagination, the wall between ego and unconsciousness is lifted. Artistic expressions provide a form for the revealed contents of unconsciousness and facilitates the process of integration.

This research utilizes art-based heuristic methodology along with active imagination to address the following research question: How can “active imagination” help me explain my experience of self-censorship due to political oppression in Iran? How can “active imagination" help me develop my professional identity as an art therapist and to become a culturally competent art therapist? Combined with heuristic method, the art-based approach allowed me to redefine and reimagine the kind of art therapist I inspire to be.