Abstract
M.A.
This study investigates the role that art plays in the lives of lay
counselors in identifying and coping with burnout. This study
was executed within the framework of a community psychological
context.
Art is not used solely as therapy neither is it only used in therapy.
This author accepts Mills and Crowley's (1986) living benefits approach.
This approach states that art can be used pragmatically
to visually represent a problem area in a persons live as well as
the solution to the problem. With regards to burnout art can be
used to identify burnout symptoms on an individual, interpersonal
and organizational level and in the five areas of affect,
behaviour, cognition, physical and motivation. The living benefits
approach goes one step further by stating that individuals have
the intrinsic ability to use art to identify mechanisms that will
help them to resolve problem areas in their lives.
Art is used as an intermedium between therapy and art to
facilitate conversation. Art is the main changing agent that
motivates individuals to change their perceptions en later on their
coping mechanisms in response to a problem.
The results of this study can be used to create a primary prevention
program. This program can focus on teaching individuals
interpersonal cognitive coping mechanisms as will be seen in the
literature study on competence building.