Transforming Experiences of Mindfulness Based Art Therapy: Novice Counselor’s Self-awareness and Self-healing This study aimed to explore the transforming experiences of novice counselors in the mindfulness-based art therapy working mode. The researcher designed and led a three-day group. The text was derived from the focus group interviews on the third day of the group as well as the individual interviews after the group. Authentic experiences of the participants were researched through phenomenological reduction. Based on the intersubjectivity of phenomenological reduction and the text, the researcher used seven stages of hermeneutic circle to carry out thematic analysis. Thus, the researcher found cross-case common themes and analyzed the participation and transforming experiences of the participants. The participation experiences of novice counselors in the mindfulness-based art therapy were devided into satipatthana(四念處) level, expressive therapy dynamic experience level and group experience level. Five themes were found through thematic analysis. 1. physical level: engage the five senses to open a deep and fine awareness. 2. experience level: perceive the flow synchronously while creating and exploring. 3. conscious level: be aware of the internal conflicts and then interpret and transform these self issues. 4. subconscious level: use art therapy to explore, cumulate and continue the deep inner healing. 5. group experience level: assimilate, extend and accept so as to deepen and explore self-affirmation. The transforming experiences of novice counselors in the self-awareness and self-healing were based on two perspectives: Four Noble Truths of Buddhism and Jung’s active imagination. Four themes were found through thematic analysis. 1. birth of suffering: focus on deepening the subject consciousness; create specific potential experience 2. cause of suffering: be aware of the potential opposition issues; explore and expand symbolic interpretation 3. end of suffering: deepen and explore the contradictions; assimilate and transform the self-healing 4. path of suffering: explore the symbols and create wisdom; practice preaching and self-transcendence. Finally, the researcher proposed reflection, frame diversion, limitations of the study and some recommendations, as a reference for future research and practical work.
