Abstract
The article examines psychology students’ perceptions of the potential of integrative art therapy in developing creative competence. The purpose of the study was to identify students’ views on the potential of integrative art therapy to enhance creative thinking, emotional reflection, and professional readiness. The study was conducted within a qualitative research framework using semi-structured interviews. The participants included 15 third- and fourth-year students enrolled in the Educational Program «Pedagogy and Psychology» at M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University. Data processing and interpretation were carried out using the thematic analysis approach proposed by V. Braun and V. Clarke. The thematic analysis identified the main categories reflecting students’ perceptions of the nature of creative competence, the possibilities of integrative art therapy, expected personal and professional outcomes, potential barriers to the use of creative methods, and the prospects for introducing the discipline «Integrative Art Therapy». The findings indicate that psychology students hold positive perceptions regarding the potential of integrative art therapy and support the inclusion of the discipline «Integrative Art Therapy» in the professional training of future educational psychologists.