Art psychotherapy acculturation: an arts-based enquiry into a male South African candidate’s emerging professional therapist identity within Singapore

As a South African born male second-year postgraduate art psychotherapy candidate, I found myself interested in reviewing my clinical competencies and service delivery when considering my acculturation within Singapore. This, in turn, led me to address my research question: In what ways might acculturation impact culturally aware competencies of a male art psychotherapist candidate? Through a qualitative arts-based autoethnographic approach I unpack acculturation, culture and culturally aware clinical competencies, through a reflexive arts practice and thematic analysis based within the multicultural milieu of Singapore, in Southeast Asia. Yielding a greater understanding of ethical and culturally aware competencies, relevant to my emerging art psychotherapist identity. Providing me with a greater understanding of the importance of nature, my art expression, clinical skills- and identity development process, and the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Findings further suggest and sheds light on recommendations such as the importance of a self-reflexive arts practice, the receptivity to art media and cultural exploration and continuous education requirements for culturally aware and ethical clinical practice. Furthermore, additional areas of research were identified, and a call to action was made for the inclusion of culturally diverse representation within acculturation research to art psychotherapy within the Eastern and African regions.