Prof. Sharon Snir

Professor Sharon Snir commenced her academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Art in 1994. This early stage of her career reflects a profound interest in the complex interplay between the human psyche and artistic expression. She further advanced her expertise by completing a Master of Arts in Special Education, with a concentration in Art Therapy. Subsequently, in 1999, she achieved her A.T.R. (Registered Art Therapist) certification. Her doctoral studies, which she completed in 2006 under the guidance of Prof. Hadas Wiseman, solidified her authority in this specialized field. In 2012, Professor Sharon Snir further expanded her professional repertoire by pursuing studies in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, with a special emphasis on psychology and psychotherapy for children and youth.

1. Conceptualization of Clinical Knowledge in Art Therapy: My research partly focuses on conceptualizing the clinical knowledge that has been accumulated in the field of art therapy. The objective is to develop a professional lexicon that enables therapists to articulate their work methodologies and facilitate communication within multidisciplinary teams.

2. Triangular Relationship in Therapeutic Processes: A significant portion of my research is dedicated to studying the triangular relationship in art therapy. This interest led to the establishment of a specialized art therapy clinic in 2021, in collaboration with Prof. Dafna Regev, and funded by the Israel Science Foundation (ISF). This clinic is a pioneering initiative for investigating this triangular dynamic.

3. Integration of Art Therapy in Education: In recent years, I have also focused on research about integrating art therapy within educational settings. This avenue of research is not just aimed at expanding knowledge but also at empowering therapists and instigating changes across the field.

4. Development of Research Tools for Art Therapy: A crucial aspect of my work involves creating specific research tools tailored for art therapy. These tools are designed to navigate and quantify the abstract therapeutic processes and the multifaceted language involved, particularly in evaluating the role of art in therapy.

5. Exploration of Visual Language: Another central theme of my research is the exploration of visual language. This involves examining how artists’ inner experiences are conveyed through individual and collective drawings, highlighting the expressive power of visual mediums.