This study’s goal was to examine the retrospective reflections of seven art therapists and four art therapy students (n = 11) who facilitated community-based art therapy projects during their professional training. This exploratory qualitative study was based on participants’ verbal and art-based responses to questions about their experiences. Data included semi-structured interviews of participants and their artwork; data analysis integrated both thematic and phenomenological approaches. Four central themes emerged: a) An experience of uncertainty and the need to cope with the challenges posed by the community setting; b) Identification of factors that can facilitate the implementation of a community-based project; c) Identification of the therapeutic aspects of community action; and d) Development of social community awareness as part of their professional identity. The discussion deals with the experiences of the art-therapy students and graduates in public sphere, in terms of the challenges they encountered and the unique ways they chose to overcome them. Conclusions address the development of community awareness and a broader inclusive professional identity. We also present study limitations and recommendations for future research.

中文翻译：

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专业培训期间基于社区的经验：成功与挑战

本研究的目的是检查七名艺术治疗师和四名艺术治疗学生（n = 11）的回顾性反思，他们在专业培训期间促进了基于社区的艺术治疗项目。这项探索性定性研究基于参与者对其经历问题的口头和艺术回答。数据包括对参与者及其艺术作品的半结构化访谈；数据分析综合了主题学和现象学方法。出现了四个中心主题： a) 不确定性的经历以及应对社区环境带来的挑战的需要；b) 确定有助于实施社区项目的因素；c) 确定社区行动的治疗方面；d) 发展社会群体意识，作为其职业身份的一部分。讨论涉及艺术治疗学生和毕业生在公共领域的经历，包括他们遇到的挑战以及他们选择克服这些挑战的独特方式。结论涉及社区意识的发展和更广泛的包容性职业认同。我们还提出了研究局限性和对未来研究的建议。