Research on Art Therapeutic Approaches to Enhance Wellbeing

Project of receptive art therapy practice with an invitation to view art together

A project in cooperation with the Department of Psychotherapy Sciences/FB Clinical Art Therapy of the Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin and Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.

This pilot project (January 2024 – March 2025) examines the role of art therapy in improving wellbeing within museum settings. Conducted by art therapists – postgraduate alumni from Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität Berlin (SFU) – in collaboration with the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (SMB), the study explores art therapeutic approaches in non-clinical environments. The intervention consists of a monthly workshop series held at the Altes Museum, located on Berlin’s reconstructed Museum Island.

The programme aims to strengthen collaborations between the arts and health sectors and pilot art therapeutic interventions in museums. The group is led by two art therapists working in tandem, exploring the intersection of art education and art therapy within museum settings. By integrating receptive art therapeutic tools in a non-clinical environment, the workshops foster deep introspection and promote trauma-informed practices, aligning with WHO recommendations to harness the healing power of the arts across the lifespan. Through Slow Looking art encounters, we create supportive environments that encourage eye-opening experiences, combining creative practices with calm, playful dialogue.

What the Workshops are about …

An invitation to an art encounter in which we calmly and playfully enter into a dialogue with a work of art. In the intensive encounter with the artwork, we want to learn something about our inner images, associations and our own aesthetic point of view. The prerequisite for participation in a workshop is curiosity and goodwill towards oneself. It is a group health promotion programme that can help to increase personal well-being and discover art as a source of strength for everyday life.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of therapy that can use art as a bridge between the personal inner and outer space of experience. The art therapy-based workshop series takes place in the museum and includes a short guided relaxation exercise, a dialogue-based viewing of the work, an artistic creation and a moderated discussion in the group.

If necessary, workshop participants can discuss unexpected or stressful emotions and thoughts in a psychotherapeutic setting. Information about and access to professional clinical and psychotherapeutic services are available.

Upcoming events

Past events

The SFU at the European Federation of Art Therapy (EFAT) and presented the project there:

Conference 2 – 4 July 2025, Poster Presenter 
N. Bloss & M. Büter, SFU Berlin
Art Therapy in Museums – Research on Art Therapeutic Approaches to Enhance Wellbeing
Trauma informed approaches, research.
Keywords: Salutogenesis | Prevention program | Cultural participation

EFAT – European Federation of Art Therapy https://www.arttherapyfederation.eu
EFAT Conference 2025 https://whova.com/web/

For enquiry message praevention@sfu-berlin.de. We are happy to receive your questions and comments.

Photos@Victoria Tomaschko:

Project management: Prof. Georg Franzen, Univ.-Ass. Maria Büter M.A., B.Sc.; Department of Psychotherapy Science at OdD Berlin
Cooperation partners: Collection of Classical Antiquities, Berlin State Museums – Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation; Prof. Andreas Scholl
Participants:

  • Location: Berlin State Museums (SMB) in the Altes Museum and Neues Museum
  • Workshop instructors: Naira Bloss and Ulla Utasch | Art therapists MA
  • Scientific coordination Univ. Ass. Maria Büter
  • Study director Prof. Dr. habil. Georg Franzen
  • SMB contact person: Maralena Schmidt
  • Technical support and supervision Karolina Sarbia
  • In cooperation with Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin as a prevention project of the art therapy course offered by the University Outpatient Clinic – Psychotherapeutic Teaching Institute SFU GbR and research assistants for education and outreach at the SMB

*Photo credits: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Antikensammlung / Foto: Johannes Laurentius

More information: https://ptw.sfu-berlin.de/en/research/research-projects/