Art from inside: peer art therapists reflections on materials and media in exploring complex identity systems

The Peer Art Therapy (PATh) framework integrates professional training in peer support with clinical training in art psychotherapy. It actively values and draws on therapists identifying and disclosing Lived Experience (LE) of mental distress, its symptomatology, and/or use of mental health services while working with art therapy participants, seeing this as essential in creating strong mutual therapeutic alliances. This chapter offers ideas about mutuality, safety, informed consent, and therapists celebrating diverse communication through materials and media, with the focus on those living complex identity systems. The authors understand such systems as creative, intelligent, and skillful responses to complex trauma. Discussing artwork that explores their respective LE, the authors emphasize the importance of considering materials and media in PATh and in mentalized artmaking alongside people living complex trauma. Their critical conversations are a political choice reflecting the authors’ commitment to therapist LE voices and providing a window into these kinds of professional conversations.