An overview of historical and contemporary perspectives in art therapy in Spain: A bibliometric analysis of Spanish art therapy research

The present article reviews the Spanish history of the art therapy profession and research. In addition, a contemporary view of current art therapy research is described through a bibliometric analysis of 160 art therapy articles published in the Spanish Journal of Art Therapy. Papers on Art Therapy and art Education for Social Inclusion from 2011 to 2021. The following research indicators were analyzed: authorship, participants, population, artistic discipline, theoretical models of art therapy intervention, nature of the studies, and assessments. Outcomes revealed that Spanish art therapy researchers are mostly women who usually publish on their own. Additionally, many ages, populations and topics are treated. Visual art is the discipline most used in the analyzed research. Gestalt, community-based art programs, and the eclectic approach are the most selected theoretical models. Most of the studies are qualitative and theory building with no assessment. However, when assessment is included, the type most used is the tools made by the researcher. Implications, limitations, and further lines of research are discussed. •Art therapy research in Spain is a young discipline conducted in the last ten years.•The profile of Spanish researchers on art-therapy corresponds to dedicated females.•The use of art therapy in Spain has extended to vulnerable and minority groups.•There is a shift from psychoanalysis to other theoretical models for intervention.•Most of the studies published in Spain are qualitative or theory building.