| Abstract [eng] |
Title: Psychoemotional Experiences of Teachers Exhibiting Symptoms of Professional Burnout in the Context of Art Therapy. The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that teachers are among the professional groups most affected by burnout, and their psycho-emotional well-being has a direct impact on the quality of education. In Lithuania, the potential of art therapy as a preventive measure for teacher burnout has not been explored. The object of the study is the psycho-emotional well-being experiences of teachers. The aim of the research is to describe the psycho-emotional experiences of educators, experiencing burnout symptoms, in the art therapy process. Qualitative research methods were applied: semi-structured interviews, as well as analysis of artwork and the creative process. The data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) model. The empirical analysis revealed three key themes: "The Path to a Safe Therapeutic Space", "State of Flow", and "Self-Perception". The analysis of drawings showed a shift between different ETC levels – from cognitive and symbolic toward sensorimotor and affective levels, indicating relaxation, reduction of emotional tension, and strengthening of self-regulation. The research confirmed that art therapy can help teachers relax, express emotions, strengthen self-awareness, and restore psycho-emotional resources. It may serve as an effective therapeutic and preventive tool for mitigating symptoms of professional burnout. The findings are relevant for education policy makers, teacher training centers, and art therapy practitioners. |
