
Professor of Psychology Libby Williams and Katya Scott ‘24 have recently published an article based on Scott’s St. Mary’s Project* in the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy’s (SAP) Psychotherapy Bulletin. “Art therapy with Ukrainian refugees: A pilot program” is currently being featured on the SAP website and discusses how they conducted a mixed-methods outcome study of an art therapy program with Ukrainian refugees using culturally significant materials. Pre-post survey results revealed reduced anxiety levels, increased resilience, and improved community connection. In addition, in qualitative interviews, participants expressed that they drew important emotional benefits from the program. The authors hope that the findings of this initial study will help guide researchers and practitioners to consider additional ways to help the ever-growing refugee populations around the world.
*Scott’s SMP conducted with Williams was an outgrowth of her 2022 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship project “A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies on Art Therapy with Adult Refugees” which was published in 2024.