Parent-child art therapy: Strengthening parents’ representations of the ‘good object’ through the ‘rose-colored glasses’ approach

Abstract

Parent-Child Art Therapy (PCAT) integrates the principles of dyadic psychotherapy with creative processes to address relational difficulties between parents and children. This therapeutic approach fosters communication and transformation within the parent-child relationship through artmaking. The "rose-colored glasses" approach introduced by Harel (2022) underpins this work, where the therapist’s positive, integrative stance toward parents is aimed at strengthening their representation of themselves as a "good object" for their child. This paper explores the theoretical and clinical foundations of PCAT, and more specifically how therapists can cultivate epistemic trust, mentalization, and reflective functioning in parents, thus enabling them to better understand and support their children. A detailed vignette illustrates the use of PCAT in addressing the complex dynamics of an adoptive parent-child dyad. Artmaking facilitated relational repair and mutual growth, which enabled the parents to navigate feelings of guilt and frustration while augmenting their emotional connection with their child. Through shared creative processes, the parents transitioned from a critical self-perception to a good parental representation that contributed to bolstering the child’s emotional resilience and self-expression. The discussion centers on the issues therapists face in maintaining a positive view of parents amidst negative relational dynamics, and advocates for the use of art therapy to support multidimensional relational transformation. By adopting the "rose-colored glasses" approach, therapists can facilitate the restoration of positive internal representations that increase trust within the parent-child relationship and can lead to relational growth and repair.