An Autobiographical Narrative Inquiry into the Burnout Process and Recovery of an Art Therapist in a Therapeutic Relationship with a Verbally Abusive Client

This study investigates the process of emotional burnout and recovery experienced by an art therapist in the therapeutic relationship with a client displaying persistent verbal abuse. Through an autobiographical narrative inquiry, the research illuminates the therapist’s emotional fluctuations and psychological challenges, including inner confusion, compassion fatigue, and ethical dilemmas regarding professional identity. The narrative further examines how response art, symbolic interpretation, supervision, personal analysis, and spiritual practice functioned as internal resources for emotional regulation and self-restoration. Data were collected from therapy journals, emotion-focused notes, response artworks, supervision records, and analytic reflections within clinical settings. Repeated cycles of reflection, expressive art-making, and symbolic exploration allowed the therapist to trace emotional changes and meanings embedded in the artwork. Findings indicate that client aggression can cause emotional suppression, sensory dulling, and boundary erosion in therapists, while creative expression and symbolic insight fostered resilience. Supervision, analytic insight, and spiritual resources acted as stabilizing factors in recovery. This study emphasizes the vulnerability and humanity of therapists, underscoring the emotional toll of client aggression and the crucial need for therapist self-care, emotional containment, and ethical support systems in clinical practice.