Exploring the Impact of Art Psychotherapy Theory and Practice in the Museum Field Through the Example of Therapeutic Groups Realised at the ΕΜSΤ | National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens (2017 – present)

Abstract

This PhD by Publication presents an autoethnographic exploration of the author’s professional journey as an art psychotherapist and museum educator, with a focus on the EMST | National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens. Drawing on a series of her publications, the thesis investigates how art psychotherapy, when situated within a museum context, can contribute to emotional wellbeing, social inclusion, and institutional innovation in cultural care. Objectives include examining the benefits of art psychotherapy in non-clinical cultural spaces, identifying the interdisciplinary potential of museum–psychotherapy collaborations, examining the museum as a therapeutic environment, and clarifying the distinctions and synergies between museum education and art psychotherapy.
Using psychodynamic and phenomenological frameworks, this research highlights how creative practice in museums supports emotional release, self-reflection, and self-awareness, while enabling symbolic expression beyond verbal language. It demonstrates how art psychotherapy can enhance communication, self-esteem and facilitate processes of acceptance and transformation. The museum is thus positioned as a holding environment that supports meaning-making and can facilitate individual and collective change.
The new contribution to knowledge lies in extending the scope of the author’s published work by exploring differences and commonalities between museum education and art psychotherapy. By weaving together theory, research, practice and reflection from across her publications, the thesis aims to support the development of ethically grounded, context-responsive art psychotherapeutic practices in museums and to advocate for the wider adoption of such practices in cultural institutions internationally. The research has achieved international recognition across academic and professional contexts, positioning the EMST model as a key reference in museum-based art psychotherapy. It contributes a Southern European perspective to a predominantly Anglo-American field and supports interdisciplinary, cross-sector approaches linking culture and mental health. Recognising implications and limitations, it advocates for expanding creative, research-informed practices that add unique value to both art psychotherapy and the museum field.

Date of Award	17 Jul 2026
Original language	English
Supervisor	Rokhshid Ghaziani (Supervisor) & Milena Metalkova-Markova (Supervisor)