Abstract
This research investigates the process and effectiveness of art therapy interventions with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in South Africa. It reviews existing studies on people who have experienced CSA, compares international and local case studies with conventional therapy, and establishes techniques and approaches for integrating or adapting art therapy (AT) techniques to the South African context. It also examines why there is such a high frequency of child sexual abuse in South Africa, what art therapy methods have proved to be beneficial, and possible methods of treating various client presentations in a therapeutic setting. The purpose is to recount the client's personal experience and narrative. Because the study is limited to a review of existing literature on art therapy interventions for CSA, it does not involve any primary data collection. The aim is to contribute to the field of art therapy and mental health in South Africa by providing a framework for mental health workers to develop and implement effective interventions for survivors. The hope is that the outcome of this study may also be relevant to other contexts where art therapy is a new or emerging discipline, or in cases requiring culturally appropriate interventions for survivors of CSA.
Keywords: art therapy interventions, adult survivors, childhood sexual abuse, disclosure, South Africa