Gender And Difference In The Arts Therapies

Gender and Difference in the Arts Therapies: Inscribed on the Body offers worldwide perspectives on gender in arts therapies practice and provides understandings of gender and arts therapies in a variety of global contexts. Bringing together leading researchers and lesser-known voices, it contains an eclectic mix of viewpoints, and includes detailed case studies of arts therapies practice in an array of social settings and with different populations. In addition to themes of gender identification, body politics and gender fluidity, this title discusses gender and arts therapies across the life-course, encompassing in its scope, art, music, dance and dramatic play therapy. Gender and Difference in the Arts Therapies demonstrates clinical applications of the arts therapies in relation to gender, along with ideas about best practice. It will be of great interest to academics and practitioners in the field of arts therapies globally.

Art therapy enables the client and therapist to explore issues that may ordinarily be difficult to articulate in words; one such issue is the complexity of gender, which can be a subject of therapy in a range of ways. These wide-ranging papers cover both theoretical and practical topics, giving clinical examples and instances of clients' artwork.

An educational and inspirational book that offers practical guidance for art therapists working with transgender and gender-expansive youth and their families. It provides art therapy goals, recommended treatments and coping skills to use with this client group. Each chapter looks at how art therapy can address a different concern or aspect of the experience, such as transitioning, bullying, and recognizing or building a support system. It includes detailed case studies and cutting-edge art therapy interventions, which help young people to express the emotions surrounding the discovery of gender identity, the transition process, and self-care.

Arts Therapies and Gender Issues offers international perspectives on gender in arts therapies research and demonstrates understandings of gender and arts therapies in a variety of global contexts. Analysing current innovations and approaches in the arts therapies, it discusses issues of cultural identity, which intersect with sex, gender norms, stereotypes and sexual identity. The book includes unique and detailed case studies such as the emerging discipline of creative writing for therapeutic purposes, re-enactment phototherapy, performative practice and virtual reality. Bringing together leading researchers, it demonstrates clinical applications and shares ideas about best practice. Incorporating art, drama, dance and music therapy, this book will be of great interest to academics and researchers in the fields of arts therapies, psychology, medicine, psychotherapy, health and education. It will also appeal to practitioners and teachers of art, dance-movement, drama and music therapy.

Intersectionality in the Arts Psychotherapies advocates for contextualising of clinical thinking and experience within a social and political framework that acknowledges the importance of intersectionality. Bringing reflections on their own identity and their professional knowledge to the work, creative therapists address both practical work with clients and the theory behind these therapeutic practices. A call to reflexivity allows the reader to consider their own position as a practitioner. These chapters will challenge and develop thinking on intersectional identities. Beyond the individual, the book demonstrates the need to embed knowledge of intersectionality in the profession at large. Experienced practitioners write from diverse perspectives across the arts psychotherapies, exploring how structures of power, privilege and prejudice influence practice and outcomes.

A comprehensive survey of women's issues within art therapy. Leading international practitioners discuss topics such as assertiveness, empowerment, sexuality and childbirth, as well as issues around class, race and age.

Art therapy has been slow to embrace the critical and theoretical viewpoints, including feminism, that have made a huge impact on other areas of the humanities and social sciences. Art therapists are ideally situated, however, to respond to the growing awareness of how language, media and images influence gender inequality and the pressures that can lead to poor mental health, and diminished well being, among women. The contributors explore the ways in which gender issues can be addressed through art therapy. By being sensitive to the socio-cultural dimensions of women's lives, therapists can become more receptive to the needs of their female clients. The case studies included here illustrate how issues of class, ethnicity and gender introduce a social element into what is sometimes described as a purely personal, cathartic process. By discussing empowerment, sexuality, pregnancy and childbirth, this volume provides a comprehensive survey of women's issues within art therapy and will prompt a reevaluation of current training and practice in the field.