This thesis is an autographical inquiry into the self-understanding journey of myself, a novice art
therapist, by using self study and exploration. My journey of “self-understanding” started from the inner
strong desire for survival as an art therapist. Throughout the entire process of the study, I attempted to
experience any kinds of self-awakening moments, meanings, themes, and stories embedded in my life that
could guide me to grow as a whole person and as a therapist. Narrative inquiry was adopted as the
research methodology not only to understand my whole life, but also to create the social meanings
embedded in the understandings found in this study. The self-understandings in this study were basically
obtained from self-analysis, individual psychotherapy, and painting analysis and the understandings were
broadened or deepened with intensive journal and autobiographical writing. Through this process, the
researcher was able to expose the histories of the emotions and desires deeply rooted in my past. This
process, in addition, frequently enabled me to experience “who I am and how I exist” in the present. This
study involved the process of harmonizing myself between the past, the present, and the future, and it also
provided me with a foothold for becoming a good art therapist, as well as a truthful being of myself.