Visual Expressive Arts Therapy with Children: Fostering Multicultural Competency

Abstract

Multicultural competency is increasingly viewed as a crucial skill for Counselling Psychologists who utilize visual expressive arts therapy. However, little research has provided a multicultural framework for using visual expressive arts therapy specifically with children; thus, in this article, a framework is proposed for using visual expressive arts therapy with children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Collins and Arthur's (2010b) three domains for cultivating multicultural competence (cultural self-awareness, awareness of client cultural identities, and a culturally sensitive working alliance) are used as a working model to demonstrate attitudes, knowledge, and skills particularly relevant when using expressive arts therapy with children. A personal reflection of the author’s cultural background and experiences with the visual arts is engaged in before exploring the culture of childhood, the universality of art-making, the utility of expressive arts with children from diverse cultural backgrounds, the assessment of children through art, and social justice issues.