Emerging Perspectives In Art Therapy

Emerging Perspectives in Art Therapy aims to document newly emerging trends in the field of art therapy and to offer a vision of the future practices. This exciting new volume contains a diverse selection of chapters written to examine the current transitional phase of the profession where new paradigms of thinking and research methods are emerging due to the continued examination of old assumptions and development of new knowledge. Specific attention is paid to emergent knowledge in the areas of neuropsychological applications, philosophical foundations, research, multicultural and international practices, and art as therapy in allied professions.

Art therapists work with diverse people experiencing life-changing distress that cannot be expressed verbally. From its early beginnings in the UK and USA, art therapy is now attracting international interest and recognition. To meet ever-changing needs in uncertain times, art therapists worldwide are currently advancing socially just and culturally relevant practice and research. This book presents original contributions, highlighting innovative research and culturally diverse practices that are transforming art therapy with new insights and knowledge. It captures an internationally vibrant and truly client-centred profession, and will be of interest to arts therapists, artists in healthcare, psychotherapists, counsellors, and professionals who use art therapeutically in their practice.

This book is an attempt to give art therapy identity the front and center position it deserves. Despite efforts toward clarity, there will nevertheless remain many contradictory notions, often paradoxically existing at the same time. This is the nature of identity and of art therapy’s identity. “Art therapy” is neither a form of artist nor a form of therapist, but rather a whole new field – a separate and special profession with core values and attributes of its own that must lead to a special and separate identity. Chapter 1 is the “Introduction” to this book. In Chapter 2, “Images of Identity,” the basic groundwork is laid describing definitions of personal and professional identity and discussion of the concept of “intersectionality.” Chapter 3, “Living in the Real World,” discusses some unique problems faced by art therapists as they strive to achieve personal and professional identity and credibility. Chapter 4, “Essays on Identity by Art Therapists,” contains 22 essays by prominent art therapists who were invited to contribute their ideas. These essays can be considered different “readings” of what identity is in the art therapy field. Chapter 5, “Identity Initiative, Steps Toward a New Definition: An Action Plan,” describes a two-year process, including all segments of the art therapy community, to achieve and promulgate a shared public professional identity. Chapter 6 underscores “Conclusions” to discover some baseline information about identity for students entering graduate art therapy programs. A brief questionnaire was given to three art therapy master’s program directors to conduct this survey with their entering students in the fall 2012. An important and essential discussion of the nuances of identity by the art therapy community is a significant intention of the book. Identity and Art Therapy is primarily written for art therapists–both experienced and novice. It is for people who teach now and for those thinking about entering the field in the future.

Since the initial publication of Introduction to Art Therapy Research, interest in this field has grown dramatically along with public policy demands for an up-to-date, culturally relevant evidence base on which to practice. This revised and expanded edition pays particular attention to the field’s unique and compelling questions, most current literature, and emerging trends in research, while guiding readers through the basics of qualitative, quantitative, and art-based research design. Written by a prominent figure in the world of art therapy, this pragmatic text is organized into three parts: Part I provides an overview of the basic steps in conceptualizing an art therapy research study, with an emphasis on perspectives that are intrinsic to art therapy. Chapters in Part II cover an inclusive methodological framework from quantitative and outcomes research to qualitative, practitioner-based field research, critical-participatory orientations, phenomenological and narrative approaches, and the growing influence of art-based research in art therapy. Part III offers up-to-date ethical guidelines and valuable tools for understanding and evaluating research reports, as well as practical guidance for publication in scholarly journals based on the author’s long experience as the editor of the field’s leading scholarly publication. Also included are added coverage on cross-cultural research as well as high quality examples from published, peer-reviewed art therapy research studies that illustrate material throughout the text.

An Introduction to Art Therapy Research is a pragmatic text that introduces readers to the basics of research design in quantitative and qualitative methodology written in the language of art therapy, with particular attention to the field’s unique aspects, current thinking, and exemplars from published art therapy research studies. This combination of a broad, standard approach to research design plus art therapy’s particular perspective and major contributions to the subject make the text suitable for courses in introductory research, survey of art therapy history and literature, art therapy assessment, and ethics. The book includes strategies for evaluating research reports and writing for peer-reviewed publication, features that make the text of special value to students, practitioners, doctoral candidates, and academics writing for publication. An online instructor's manual with student resources is available and offers material to enhance the pedagogical features of the text.

Transforming Themes challenges the dominant view of psychotherapy as a structured, reductionist process. Instead, it views psychotherapy as an alive, unrehearsed interaction that embraces healing when it is focused on the role of 'therapeutic themes'. These themes are the entrenched frames of references or contexts from which clients perceive their lives. In any interaction, each participant has a unique worldview. When clients come to therapy, they bring their problems in the form of a theme: 'the woman who can't forgive' or 'the child who is a terror'. Any potential statement or action performed within this theme merely strengthens the problem. Only when the theme of the therapy session has shifted can clients gain access to inner resources to shift perspectives and begin inner transformation. Effective therapy results from moving clients into more flexible, empowering themes. These changes occur as a result of the dynamic interaction between therapist and client, which embraces improvisation, creativity, and novelty, rather than adherence to specific theories or techniques. Using historical and modern research and colourful case studies, this work will help professionals understand how to easily adapt and apply creative and resourceful therapy interventions, no matter what therapeutic orientation they endorse. This book will enable therapists, counsellors, psychologists, and social workers to gain access to creative, effective methods which help their clients heal while increasing effectiveness and enjoyment in clinical work.

This book emphasises ecological, nature-assisted expressive and creative arts and art therapies within the context of the current ecological crises. Rich in fresh theoretical perspectives, this timely compendium of theory, research, and practice also provides methods and tools that can help the reader understand and incorporate new eco perspectives into their work. Building on the concept of poiesis as the human creative function, this book seeks to stress the importance of humanity's ecopoietic capacity, creating a more sustainable life for humans. It has been specifically created within the context of this most critical period of human existence, and acts as a forum for innovation based on the values of the environmental movement and its desire to address the extensive sociopsychological impact of the ecological crisis.

There is nothing prescriptive about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Art Therapy. Both involve the client and the therapist cultivating creativity and psychological flexibility by letting go of limited, constricted, or habitual ways of thinking and being. This leads us to think, create, respond, and behave in ways of our choosing, bringing richness and renewed meaning to our lives. Through this work you will be able to apply ACT-informed art therapy to your practice. Art activities both illustrate the concepts and exist as stand-alone interventions to heighten creative potential and mindful attention to the present moment. ACT is effective when treating psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, OCD and psychosis. Readers will develop a meaningful context for understanding how ACT and art therapy align to creatively achieve positive outcomes for you and your clients.