The purpose of this study was to determine how a mother living in a non-cohabitating family learns
self-acceptance during art therapy and also to understand how the process of art therapy affects the life of
researcher, an art therapist. The participant of this study had been separated from her husband since her
first pregnancy after marriage, due to the location of his work. She is a mother of non-cohabitating family
with two daughters of 9 years and the other 18 months. From March to October, 2014, the researcher
engaged her in an hour-long art therapy session once a week for a total of 18 sessions. In this study, a
-“narrative inquiry method”- was used to comprehend her experiences, as the participant and researcher
shared their life stories, talking about the meaning and value of life. Her stories described her relationships
with her husband and children. She frequently used phrases such as “because of you” and “nobody cares
about me.” Through this art therapy, she expressed her desires, stating, “I want to live my own life.” And
she tried to confront others positively, saying, “I am ready to meet the world by bushwhacking.” Also, she
took the courage to make decisions, stating, “I will clearly express myself.”, and she kept experiencing
self-acceptance, saying, “I can stand as a mother and wife.” Experiencing being accepted by an -“arttherapist”-
in a “therapy room” and making own artwork made her recognize herself as meaningful.