CORPORATE ART THERAPY
USING ART THERAPY TO IMPROVE
INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE
ASHMI SHETH
M.A. in Counseling with Concentration in Art Therapy
PennWest University
December 2022

Purpose Statement
To develop an art therapy workshop curriculum for
corporate groups based on a positive psychology
framework aimed at improving individual and team
performance at work.

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Justification
Hybrid work model – The
future

Employee Mental
Health

Impact of the
Pandemic

Novel Needs of the
Post-Pandemic World

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Justification
“There has to be a new vision to allow for meaningful and naturally
engaged collaborations that bridge the gap between physical and
virtual to facilitate hybrid collaborations.”
Art therapy can be that new vision.

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

About this Project

This research provides a structured workshop curriculum to increase individual and team
work performance in corporate settings through a focus on communication, team building,
identification of strengths, exploration of group dynamics, leadership styles, and
assessment of areas of improvement.
The point that makes this research different from other art therapy-based studies in the
workplace is that its focus is on individual and team performance rather than individual
employee wellbeing alone.

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Terms
•

Art Therapy

•

Corporate group

•

Employee isolation

•

Employee performance

•

Group connectedness

•

Group dynamics

•

Positive Art Therapy

•

Team performance

•

Team building

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Literature Review
Theoretical
Underpinnings
Positive Psychology & the PERMA Model
Positive Art Therapy
Art Therapy in the Business World – Robert Ault

Positive Psychology, Happiness, and Work Performance

Impact of Art Therapy at the Workplace
7

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Literature Review : Theoretical Underpinnings
Positive Psychology & Positive Art Therapy
P

Positive Emotions Engagement

Positive
Relationships

Meaning

(Seligman, 2011)

Accomplishment

Positive art therapy workshops and trainings address multiple aspects of the PERMA (Wilkinson &
Chilton, 2017):
They generate positive emotions through art-making, laughter, playfulness, enjoyment, and
sense of connection with others. They promote engagement through creativity, strengths,
and flow. They fortify relationships through team-building, collaborative problem-solving, and
appreciative exchanges. They provide a sense of accomplishment by producing a tangible
record of their unexpected success as artists and through the successful completion of a
collaborative venture. (p. 208)
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Literature Review : Theoretical Underpinnings
Art Therapy in the Business World – Robert Ault
• Art as an alternate form of communication – solve problems
• Companies can and do develop types of emotional illness – These ills are often not
caused by market problems, but by failures of the human relationships working within
the systems.
• Applying Bowen’s systems theory and Kwiatkowska’s family art therapy techniques to
groups of people outside of clinical settings.
By introducing art therapy into businesses, Ault wished to help executives look beyond the business
factors and realize the role and impact of their own emotions on their judgments (Ault et al., 1988).
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

“Dealing with stress reduction, employee burnout, bettering
internal communication systems, developing a healthy and
aesthetic work environment, developing better methods for
evaluations of employees, or in general, working with
employee wellness are only a few of the ways that art
therapists can work with business.” (Ault et al., 1988, p. 86)

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Problem Solving Through
Identification of Group Factors

Group Problem Solving
through the Use of Imagery

Identification and/or
violation of ideals

Development of
Organizational Symbols

Problems of Communication

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

A
R
T
T
Hß
E
R
A
P
Y

Identification of and Working
With Burnout Syndrome

Stress Reduction

Creativity Development

I
N
B
U
S
I
N
E
S
S

Interviewing and Assessment
of Employees
Environmental Impact

10
11

Literature Review
Positive Psychology, Happiness, and Work Performance
Better problem solvers

More productive
Less burnout

Happy Employees

More energy and attention
Innovative

• PERMA at the workplace : motivation, satisfaction, teamwork, less burnout
• PERMA+4 (Donaldson et al., 2022) : added elements of Physical Health, Mindset, Work Environment,
and Economic Security
• Kour et al. (2019) - implementation of positive traits such as optimism, well-being, and personal
strength led to more focused employees with better performance and organizational productivity.
• Page & Vella-Brodrick (2013) - Working for Wellness Program
• Waters et al. (2020) – Role of positive psychology in “buffering” against mental illness and “bolstering”
mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Literature Review
Impact of Art Therapy at the Workplace
•

The use of visual imagery – personal insight + insight into peers & group dynamics

•

Joint or collaborative art making – assessment & treatment

•

Representations of a group
- member’s perception of the group
- nature of the group
- One’s position in the group and role behavior – as judged by others

•

Observation of the group in action – creative process (Wadeson, 1973)

•

Art therapy-based organizational consultancy (Huet, 2015)

•

Positive art therapy trainings for non-clinical populations – Wilkinson & Chilton (2017)

•

Art therapy for stress reduction & enhance wellness in non-clinical settings

•

Creative activities to increase performance-related outcomes (Eschelman et al., 2014)
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Goals of the Curriculum
•

To increase individual and organizational performance by helping
organizations to identify employee strengths, assess gaps in communication,
increase motivation and team bonding, promote creative problem solving,
and improve employee mental well-being.

•

To provide qualified art therapists with a foundational template that can be
modified and used to meet the unique needs of the corporate organizations
they work with.

•

To highlightCREDITS:
the potential
of the use of art therapy in businesses and
This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,
corporations
by presenting
a theoretically
oriented,
outcome-based,
including
icons by Flaticon,
infographics
& images
by Freepik
structured program that explores organizational aspects that are difficult to
observe and assess through verbal interaction alone.

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Environmental Considerations
• Recce of the resort or space – finalize the room and/or outdoor space for specific interventions

• Recommendation – facilitate interventions indoors to control for natural and human distractions
(heat/rain or interruptions from passers-by)
• Noise-free, well lit, and air-conditioned
• Large enough for different table arrangements as described under each intervention
• Arrangements for a music system and projector + technical staff
• Refreshment area
15

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Workshop Outline

Day 1

Day 2

Individual aspects

Group aspects

Self-Awareness & Identification of Strengths

Awareness about Organization

Communication & Collaboration

Leadership & Planning

Wellness

Team bonding

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Day 1
Goal: Focus on individual aspects that contribute
to employee and organizational performance
• Personal strengths, communication styles,
interpersonal skills, ability to work under
constraints
• Mental health
• Self-care and relaxation techniques
Introduction & Rapport-Building
Ice-Breaker Questions (~30-40 minutes)
Briefing About the Workshop (~10 minutes)
Ground Rules
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Module 1: Self-Awareness & Identification of Strengths
Art Intervention: Metaphorical Self-portrait (~80 min)
Objectives
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

To explore self-perception
To increase self-awareness
To identify personal and professional strengths
To explore ways in which personal strengths can be utilized at work
To increase work motivation & satisfaction

Materials

Recommended seating: Classroom table set
up - separate tables for each participant.

Directive (~25-30 min)
“Make a painting that represents you.” “It could be an object, animal, thing, shape or symbol.”
Reflection Questions (to be answered on a sheet of paper) (~15 min)
• List 3 personal attributes or strengths that your drawing represents about you.
• Are you utilizing these strengths at work? If yes, how and where? If not, how or where can you
incorporate these strengths in your work?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very easy and 10 being extremely difficult, how challenging was this
activity for you?
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Discussion (~30 min)
• Display of artwork and sharing of responses
• Discussion focused on how each of the participants can incorporate their strengths into their dayto-day work.
• Facilitate a discussion on how each of the participants brings in unique strengths. How can their
colleagues’ strengths complement their own?
• Reflect on what personal strengths they would like to see in their subordinates & how those
strengths can help in their work/department
Suggested modifications
• Use 500ml paint jars – distribute paint in paper cups.
• Participants can be given black and white paint with the option to choose one color from a range
of colors; for example, red, green, yellow, and blue
Lunch
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Module 2: Communication & Collaboration
Art Intervention: Conjoint Drawings (~120 min)
Materials

Objectives

(i) To identify key problems/obstacles facing the • 2 sheets of 18” x 24” white drawing
department/organization
paper per pair
(ii) To encourage creative problem-solving
• 2 Markers per pair (Each member in a
(iii) To enhance communication and collaboration
pair should be given a different color
(iv) To examine interpersonal dynamics
marker)

Directiv
e
Part 1: Conjoint Problem
Drawing

Part 2: Conjoint Solution
Drawing
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Recommended seating
arrangement: Classroom
table set up with
separate tables for each
pair.

“Identify and discuss the biggest problem your department/organization is facing
currently. Then jointly as a pair, create a drawing of the problem. Each member of
the dyad needs to use a different color marker. However, each pair has to plan the
artwork before starting the drawing. No verbalizations or discussions will be
allowed throughout the creation of the artwork. You will have 20 minutes in total
for discussion of problem, planning and creation of the artwork.”
“Now, create a drawing of a solution to the problem you identified in the previous
task. You are free to discuss while creating this artwork. You have 30 minutes for
this task.”

Fall 2022

Role of Facilitator

Art therapist can observe the following dimensions:

Conforming vs. Leader

Comfort vs. Irritability

Organized vs. Disorganized

Discussion (~60 min)
•
•
•
•
•
•

Ask each pair to share something about their experience (Make note of what they choose to share first, key
learnings, realizations, challenges, etc.)
How challenging was it to work together in silence, with restrictions on verbalization?
Did you gain any insights about communication and collaboration from working nonverbally?
What did you learn about yourself and your partner from both of these tasks?
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being redundant and 10 being insightful, how useful was this intervention for you?
Discussion on assessing practicality of solution – create an implementation plan

Suggested Modifications
• Smaller drawing papers as permitted by the size of the tables available.
• An alternative intervention would be having the pairs identify a problem together and then draw the identified
problem individually on separate sheets of paper. After they are done with the drawing, the drawings can be
exchanged and each partner can make changes to the other’s drawing with a different color marker to turn the
problem drawing into a solution drawing.
High Tea
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Module 3: Wellness
Art Intervention: Guided Visualization + Response Art (~90 min)
Objectives

Materials

(i) To relieve stress and anxiety
(ii) To promote self expression
(iii)To promote positive emotions
(iv)To develop adaptive coping strategies

•
•
•
•
•

A3 size textured paper (no smaller than 12 in x 16 in; no less than 200 gsm)
Coffee powder
Mini Palette or small container (To mix coffee powder and water)
Water container, Rough cloth
Round brush (12 pt)

Recommended seating arrangement: Classroom table set up with separate tables for each participant.

Directiv
e
As the music plays softly in the background, narrate the guided visualization script (Releasing a Burden) and guide
the participants through the visualization exercise (~15 minutes)
“Create an image in response to your experience of the guided visualization exercise.” (20 min)
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Discussion
• Share your artwork and your experience of engaging in the guided visualization exercise.
Briefing (~20 minutes)
• Educate the participants about the physical and psychological benefits of guided visualization.
• Provide tips and demonstrate a couple of practical techniques (e.g. breathing exercises, grounding
techniques) that participants can use in the workplace when they feel stressed, overwhelmed or
anxious, for example, while working for an upcoming deadline or before a crucial meeting.
Suggested Modifications
• Provide 12-shade watercolour cake packs to allow expression in multiple colors and to facilitate flow.

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Day 1 Closure (~20-30 min)
Materials
Directive
• “What was your biggest take-away from today? Please write
it down on the post-it note in a word or two.”
• Ask participants to write their names on the post-it notes
• Invite the participants to come to the white board and paste
their post-it note. Ask them to place their post-it note
anywhere on the white board as they like.
Discussion & Closure
• Identify one or two common themes
• Visualize their takeaway as an object, person, color, or scene
• Relaxation exericise – Focus on the mental image of the takeaway + deep breathing exercise
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Day 2
Goal: Focus on group aspects that contribute
to employee and organizational
performance:
• Team bonding
• Perception of and sense of belonging to
the organization
• Leadership, planning, & interpersonal skills
Warm-up – Feeling check-in (~10 minutes)
“Describe in one word how are you feeling
this morning?”
Introduction for Day 2

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Module 4: Awareness about Organization
Art Intervention: Organization Symbol (~60 min)
Objectives

Materials

(i) To explore perception of organization’s values, ideals, mission, and
vision
(ii) To increase adherence to organization’s values and ideals
(iii)To increase feelings of belongingness to the organization
Recommended seating arrangement: Classroom table set up with separate tables for each participant.

Directive
(~30 min)

• Ask the participants to think about the values, ideals, vision, and mission of the
organization/company.
• After giving the participants about 5 minutes for reflection, ask them to “Draw an organization
symbol that best represents the organization’s values, ideals, vision or mission.”

Discussion (~30 min)
• Ask the participants to share their symbol and what it represents.
• Ask the participants to identify one of the organization’s values or ideals that most corresponds to their own value or
ideal.
• Discussion on the importance of adherence to org values & synchronicity b/w personal and org ideals/values
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Module 5: Leadership & Planning
Art Intervention: Group Art Relay (~ 60 min)
Objectives
(i) To explore communication gaps through the hierarchy
(ii) To practice planning and goal setting
(iii)To assess listening skills and ability to give instructions

Materials
•
•
•
•

Cardstock papers (22” x 28”)
Box of crayons (8 shades)
Tape to stick the paper onto the table
Laminated print-outs of the image to be
recreated

Recommended table setup: The working tables where the artwork
will be done should be positioned on the other end of the delivery
instruction point. The tables, one per group, should be positioned
parallel to one another in a way that the teams cannot see each
other’s artwork.
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Speed + Accuracy
27

Discussion
With leaders: (~15 minutes)
• What do you think did not work out well?
• What was the hardest part of the activity?
• If you had the chance to do this again, what would you have done differently?
• What differences did you observe between what you envisioned and how you could execute it? (Vision vs.
execution).
• What strengths did you observe as your team completed this exercise?
With team members: (~10 minutes)
• What was the most difficult part of the exercise?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being completely dissatisfied and 10 being completely satisfied, how satisfied were
you with the instructions provided by your respective instructors? What was done well/ what could be improved?
With the entire group: (~5 minutes)
• Ask the leaders to sum up what they could have done better. Ask the team members to give feedback on how the
instructions could be given in a better way.
High Tea
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Module 6: Team Bonding
Art Intervention: Kinetic Group Drawing (~90 minutes)
“A group picture is a good picture of the group” (Ramsay, 1971).

Objectives
(i) To enhance team bonding
(ii) To explore group dynamics
(iii)To enhance group awareness

Materials
• 1 Large drawing paper (24” x 36”)
• Set of assorted color markers (Each participant to get
a different colored marker)
• Tape to attach the paper on a wall/table

Directive (~ 40 min)
“Create a picture of you all working together.”
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Discussion (~30-40 min)
• How did it feel working on this image?
• What thoughts came up while you worked? (Follow-up question: Did anyone else have similar thoughts?
• Look at the colors in the drawing. Which color dominates? Which color is used the least? What does this tell you
about teamwork? (Encourage the participants to observe the amount of drawing done in each color, which will
show the activity of each person in the group as each of them used a different color).
• Ask each participant to rate their team by filling the Team Rating Form.

Assessment/Observations:
Creative Process:
1. Degree of Cohesion & Unity
2. Degree of Order & Structure
3. Degree of Freedom & Spontaneity
4. Degree of Disorganization & Confusion
Artwork & Discussion:
5. Perception of the Group
6. Perception of one’s role

Suggested Modifications:
“Draw a picture of how it feels to work at the
organization.”
If available, the paper can be taped onto a
thick cardboard and the cardboard placed on
an easel to add an artistic feel to the activity.

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Day 2 Closure
Directive

Same as Day 1

Discussion & Closure
• Identify one or two common themes
• What similarities/differences did you find between the key take-aways from Day 1 and Day 2?
• Identify one change or adaptation you can make in yourself or at your workplace from now that will help you
apply this learning in practice.
• Ask the participants to collectively come up with one key takeaway from the entire two-day workshop.
• Visualize their takeaway as an object, person, color, or scene
• Relaxation exericise – Focus on the mental image of the take-away + deep breathing exercise

Conclusion

Feedback and Q&A

PowerPoint – Art Therapy
Suggestions & recommendations
Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Limitations

• Based on theory and past research – not empirically tested

• Setting – offsite

• General framework for typical corporate group – requires modifications to suit
company type (technology, creative production, finance, etc.)
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Areas for future research

• Testing of the curriculum with a pilot group

• Incorporating systems informed positive psychology approach to using art
therapy in corporates

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Final Thoughts
• Need for introducing art therapy workshops into corporate settings

• A workshop curriculum addressing such organizational aspects will provide a basis for
further research and testing, thus expanding the field of art therapy into corporate
settings.
• Further research into the organizational aspects that can be addressed by art therapy
• Training art therapists for conducting corporate art therapy workshops
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

THANK YOU!

Questions?

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,
including icons by Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik

Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

Fall 2022

Presentation References
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positive psychology. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Art Therapy, 4(1), 27-36.
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Presentation References
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performance and organizational productivity: An experimental study. Procedia Computer Science 161,
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Presentation References
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Ashmi Sheth Corporate Art Therapy

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