Creative Connection in Digital Spaces: A Book Review

Book Review: Virtual Art Therapy: Research and Practice edited by Michelle Winkel

A timely and research-informed resource reimagining therapeutic connection in digital spaces

Virtual Art Therapy is more than a collection of essays. It is a thoughtful, multidisciplinary response to a question many therapists have faced in recent years: can something as sensory and relational as art therapy survive the shift to virtual platforms? Edited by Michelle Winkel, this book brings together researchers, educators, clinicians, and innovators to say yes, with nuance, rigour, and care.

With contributions from over thirty art therapists across global contexts, this volume provides a wide-ranging look at the emergence and evolution of virtual art therapy. It explores clinical practice, supervision, ethics, training, accessibility, and even virtual reality. The result is a compelling, grounded, and future-facing text that offers both practical strategies and reflective insights for art therapists navigating a digital world.

What the book promises

This book promises to document and support the transition of art therapy into virtual environments. At its heart, it seeks to show that the core elements of art therapy—therapeutic relationship, creative expression, and emotional insight—can be preserved and even expanded in digital formats. Rather than treating virtual therapy as a compromise, the contributors explore its potential as an inclusive, flexible, and often necessary modality.

The promise is twofold. First, to validate the lived experiences of art therapists who made rapid shifts to online platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, to offer evidence-based frameworks, case studies, and innovations that support best practices in virtual art therapy well into the future.

What the book delivers

The book delivers this promise through seventeen diverse chapters, grouped into four thematic sections: historical context, clinical perspectives, innovations in training and supervision, and forward-looking explorations into technology and community. Each section includes reflections from therapists who adapted their work in real time, often under immense pressure, and who now bring both personal and professional insight to the field’s ongoing evolution.

From virtual open studios to art therapy in prisons, from youth groups to elder care, the book covers a remarkable range of settings and populations. Case studies and personal narratives ground each chapter, while references to current research provide a sense of credibility and depth. One particularly compelling thread is the concept of the therapeutic alliance as "the same glue in a different container." This serves as a reminder that relationship remains central, even when the medium changes.

Winkel and her co-authors do not shy away from the challenges of virtual work. Instead, they meet them directly, offering ethical guidelines, technological considerations, and strategies for client safety, cultural humility, and creative adaptation. The result is a resource that feels both compassionate and competent.

Style and structure

The structure of Virtual Art Therapy reflects its collaborative spirit. Chapters are written by different authors, each with their own voice and lens, but all grounded in shared values of accessibility, ethics, and inclusion. Some chapters lean more heavily on research, while others focus on practice-based knowledge or personal narrative. This creates a balanced reading experience that welcomes both seasoned professionals and those newer to virtual work.

The editorial voice, shaped by Winkel, keeps the tone cohesive and clear. Despite its academic publisher, the writing remains readable and reflective. The book includes practical frameworks, visual examples, tables, and clear section headings that make it easy to navigate. It invites you to read from start to finish or to enter through the topics that speak most urgently to your practice.

Where the book shines

The book shines in its ability to weave together complexity without losing clarity. It honours the emotional labour and uncertainty of transitioning to virtual care while also highlighting the creativity, flexibility, and resilience of art therapists. Instead of painting an overly optimistic picture, the authors offer a realistic and hopeful path forward.

Another standout feature is the inclusion of diverse perspectives and international contributors. This is not a North American echo chamber. It is a global conversation, with authors writing from Thailand, Israel, Canada, the UK, and more. This diversity of context adds richness and a sense of global solidarity to the work.

The text also excels in its treatment of virtual accessibility. Rather than assuming digital work is simply convenient, it explores how virtual platforms can expand therapy to clients who are often underserved, such as those in remote areas, people with mobility limitations, or those facing stigma around mental health. These insights are not presented as theoretical ideals but as lived truths from real therapists working with real clients.

Light limitations

As with any edited collection, some chapters are stronger or more accessible than others. A few pieces lean more heavily into academic theory, which may be less engaging for practitioners looking for direct application. However, this variation is also a strength, allowing for a range of entry points depending on the reader’s interests and needs.

While the book covers a broad array of topics, it may not provide deeply technical support for those seeking software-specific guidance or standardized protocols. Its focus is more on process, ethics, and adaptability than on prescriptive templates. For some readers, especially those new to teletherapy, this may require supplemental resources or additional training.

The layout, though clean, follows an academic text structure. Readers accustomed to more visual or workbook-style formats may find it more dense. That said, the clarity of the writing and the diversity of examples make it a manageable and rewarding read.

Final thoughts

Virtual Art Therapy is not a manual. It is a collective, thoughtful response to a global shift in how care is delivered and received. Edited by Michelle Winkel, this book honours both the uncertainty and the possibility of art therapy in virtual spaces. It reminds us that creativity, connection, and healing do not require a shared physical room. They require intention, presence, and trust. All of these can be cultivated online.

For therapists working in private practice, health care, education, or community settings, this book offers real-world reflections and research-backed practices that will help shape ethical and effective online art therapy. More importantly, it reminds us that digital spaces are not lesser versions of in-person care. They are evolving spaces that deserve thought, imagination, and respect.

Highly recommended for art therapists, expressive arts practitioners, clinical supervisors, and mental health professionals seeking a thoughtful, research-informed, and compassionate exploration of online creative therapy.