Creative Rituals: Family Art Therapy in the Context of Divorce in Mexico

Rising divorce rates in Mexico highlight the need to address the emotional and relational effects of family transitions on children. This conceptual-clinical paper presents an integrative art therapy framework that weaves narrative, systemic, and attachment perspectives through the creation of a family book, a creative ritual that functions as both a narrative container and a transitional object. Grounded in clinical practice, this process supports emotional expression, meaning making, and the strengthening of family bonds within reconfigured family systems. Using a case illustration, the paper shows how collaborative art-making fosters communication, resilience, and secure attachment during parental separation. The discussion emphasizes the relevance of creative therapeutic rituals for supporting adaptation, reducing emotional distress, and promoting continuity across homes. This approach positions family-centered art therapy as a valuable component of clinical practice and emerging policy initiatives aimed at safeguarding children's emotional well-being during divorce.