Polyphonic bricolage and cultural humility: A framework for reimagining art therapy practice in the Afro-Caribbean context
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Keywords
Polyphonic bricolage, art therapy, Afro-Caribbean, cultural humility, cultural sensitivity, culturally responsive practice, therapeutic alliance
Abstract
This article proposes polyphonic bricolage, a concept introduced by Schmidt (2006), that embraces the dynamic blending of diverse cultural influences as a tool for addressing the psychosocial needs of Afro-Caribbean clients in art therapy. Eurocentric art therapy models often fail to account for the cultural complexities of these communities, resulting in marginalisation and inequitable practices. Polyphonic bricolage offers a lens for understanding the shifting cultural identities of Afro-Caribbean clients, emphasising their fluidity, agency, and identity formation. When integrated with cultural humility, it highlights the art therapist’s role in fostering therapeutic alliances and ensuring equitable practice. By cultivating self-reflexivity and flexibility, art therapists can recognise biases and create spaces that honour clients’ lived experiences. This integrated framework encourages culturally responsive interventions that build trust, empower clients, and lead to meaningful therapeutic outcomes. A brief supervision vignette demonstrates how a lack of cultural understanding can cause harm and illustrates the importance of culturally attuned practice. Ultimately, combining polyphonic bricolage with cultural humility provides a pathway for art therapists to engage Afro-Caribbean communities in a more responsive, fair, and empowering way.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Kim Valldejuli, Drexel University
Kim is a board-certified registered Art therapist, and PhD candidate in Drexel University’s PhD in Creative Arts Therapies program. She is a research fellow in Dr. Girija Kaimal’s Health, Arts, Learning and Evaluation Lab at Drexel University. Kim is President of the Art Therapy Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Associate Editor and Culturally Responsive Practice Advisor for the International Journal of Art Therapy. Her research explores traditional healing practices in the Caribbean diaspora and implications for art therapy practice and pedagogy.