Clinical application of color inkblots in therapeutic storytelling

This article introduces Color Inkblot Therapeutic Storytelling (CITS). The method starts with inkblots, leading to psychotherapy through a series of steps involving drawing and storytelling. The use of inkblots and question asking are similar to the Rorschach, but the inkblots themselves and interpretation methods differ. CITS is a culturally responsive art therapy method that originally was developed for use with Japanese clients. It uses an indirect, non-threatening approach instead of forcing a direct confrontation of the client's problems. Through CITS, a client's inner world, psychological characteristics, and basic personality are gradually represented. The primary goal of this methodological paper is to describe CITS. The technique is presented through a typical case that resulted in a positive treatment effect.