Art therapy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses art-making to increase emotional well-being.
Art therapy uses the affective properties of making art within the context of psychotherapy. As a mental health profession, art therapy is employed in many clinical settings with diverse populations. Art therapy can be found in non-clinical settings as well, such as in art studios and workshops that focus on creativity development. Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in making art is on a basic level healing and life-enhancing.[1]. Art therapists attempt to use artistic creations and the issues that come up during creation to increase the awareness of self, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, increase cognitive abilities, and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of artistic creativity. The term art therapist is reserved for those that are professionals trained in both art and therapy and hold a master's degree in art therapy or a related field.
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[edit] Purpose of Art Therapy
The ultimate purpose of art therapy is the same as any psychotherapuetic intervention, to improve or maintain a person’s mental and emotional health[2]. Like other expressive therapies, Art therapy uses creative expression to achieve or maintain mental and emotional wellbeing, using canvas, sculpture, painting or other forms of art generation as its form of expression. The purpose of art therapy is to let patients communicate to counselors trained in art therapy through using both verbal and visual communication (Beeson 2006). It is believed in art therapy that by creating art the artist has expressed their thoughts and emotions into the art work (Beeson 2006). According to Professor S Haroon Ahmed, this idea “arose from the process of exploring the unconscious mind, which has emphasized the importance of dreams and art therapy” (2006). Using this idea, art therapists help patients find the meanings incorporated in their art work and how it relates to their lives, thoughts, and feelings (Beeson 2006). By finding what is communicated in art and why it was incorporated, patients are able to understand themselves better, which makes them better off emotionally and mentally (Beeson 2006). According to Ed Beeson, “Art therapists stress that it is not their job to interpret or read meaning into patients’ art”(2006). According to Annette Marie Vaccaro, “We’re not fortune tellers. We don’t try to tell their story. We try to help them tell their own story”(Beeson 2006).
[edit] Applications of Art Therapy
Art therapy can be applied to many mental and emotional conditions ranging from bi-polar disorder to schizoaffective disorder (Beeson 2006). According to Beeson, “For decades, mental health specialist have used art therapy to go where talk therapy and medication cannot (2006). Because art uses symbolism to express ideas, therapists find that some patients can use it to communicate locked-away feeling not easily expressed in words”(2006). Art therapist Vaccaro stated, “If I ask a question, they tell me very little. But if I say, make a drawing of your family, sometimes they say a lot more” (Beeson 2006). Proponents of art therapy state that there are many other applications of art therapy that help patients become more mentally and emotionally stable. For example, Beeson says that working with art “helps troubled minds release inner tension,” and “working in a studio setting can stimulate the social skills that often get buried in institutional settings” (2006). Art therapy can also help people battling negative self image (Beeson 2006). By showing improvement in art, people who battle negative self image can learn to take pride in the beauty of their art (Beeson). This pride often carries over to their self image, which rids them of self image problems (Beeson). This can be the case with people battling Alzheimer’s (Carroll 2006). Often seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s feel as though they are losing themselves, and Carroll suggests art therapy can prolong the effects of Alzheimer’s (2006). Since children don’t know how to express themselves verbally and are usually very creative by nature, therapists often use art therapy for children (Ahmed 2006). According to Vicky Baber, a writer for Therapy Today, “When the need for words is bypassed, children’s creativity helps them access and explore their emotions” (2006). This is often used when young children are going through rough times associated with adoption and foster care (Betts 2002). Art therapy is also used to treat patients who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (Malchiodi 2006). Often times, patients who suffer from this disorder do not want to talk about what caused their stress, but by creating art, they are often able to express their feelings, thus letting go of the agent that caused the traumatic stress (Malchiodi 2006). Some of theses patients with post-traumatic stress disorder who seek art therapy are veterans of war, especially from the Vietnam War (Miller).
[edit] Psychiatric Assessments made from Art
There are many psychiatric assessments that can be made from art therapy (Betts, 2005). Art therapists are taught how to administer many different psychiatric tests using simple tasks in art, and then taught how to assess the test to find the level of a patient’s emotional and psychiatric health (Betts 2005). The first drawing assessment test for psychological purposes was created in 1906 by German psychiatrist Fritz Mohr (Malchiodi 1998). Then in 1926, a new drawing test was created to measure the intelligence in children called the Draw – A – Man Test (Malchiodi 1998). It was created by a researcher named Florence Goodenough (Malchiodi 1998). The idea behind the test was the more details a child incorporated into the drawing of a man, the more intelligent they were (Malchiodi). Goodenough and other researchers realized the test had just as much to do with personality as it did intelligence (Malchiodi). Several other psychiatric test using art were created in the 1940s, and have been used ever since (Malchiodi 1998). Psychiatric assessments with art are both clinically and in psychological research (Betts 2005). Below are a few of these assessments.
[edit] The Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS)
The Diagnostic Drawing Series is a series of tests that an art therapist can have a patient perform (Malchiodi 1998). There are three parts to the DDS (Malchiodi 1998). In first part, the patient is asked to draw any picture using chalk pastels on an 18 – by – 24 inch piece of paper (Malchiodi 1998). Then they are asked to draw a tree in the second part. In the last part of the test, the patient is asked to show how they are feeling using lines, shapes, and colors (Malchiodi 1998).
[edit] The Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI)
In this test, a person is asked to select a card from a deck with different mandalas; designs enclosed in a geometric shape, and then must choose a color from a set of colored cards (Malchiodi 1998). The person is then asked to draw the mandala from the card they choose with an oil pastel of the color of their choice (Malchiodi 1998). The artist is then asked to explain if there were any meanings, experiences, or related information related to the mandala they drew (Malchiodi 1998). This test is based on the beliefs of Joan Kellogg, who sees a reoccurring correlation between the images, pattern and shapes in the mandalas that people draw and the personalities of the artists (Malchiodi 1998). This test assesses and gives clues to a persons psychological progressions and their current psychological condition (Malchiodi 1998). Notwithstanding, many art therapists eschew diagnostic testing and indeed some writers (Hogan 1997) question the validity of therapists making interpretative assumptions.
[edit] House – Tree – Person (HTP)
In this assessment test, the art therapist asks the patient to draw a picture with a house, tree, and person in it (Malchiodi 1998). After the patient is done with the drawing, the therapist asks questions like, “How old is the person in your drawing? What is he or she doing? What is the house made of? What is the weather in this picture (what time of day, sky, temperature)?” (Malchiodi 1998). The replies to these questions and others give strong clues about the patient’s personality and overall condition (Malchiodi 1998).
[edit] Credentials and Certification
Art therapy has many standards, credentials and certifications that art therapist must adhere to. These credentials are set by the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) (AATA 2006). These credentials can be found in the ATCB Code of Professional Practice, a 17 page document which summarizes the standards that art therapist must abide by. The ATCB Code of Professional Practice is broken up into five main categories; General Ethical Principles, Independent Practitioner, Eligibility for Credentials, Standards of Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures (ATCB 2005).
[edit] General Ethical Principles
One topic covered in this section describes the responsibility art therapist have to their patients (ATCB 2005). According to the ATCB, art therapists must strive to advance the wellness of their clients, respect the rights of the client, and make sure they are providing a useful service (2005). They cannot discriminate against patient whatsoever, and may never desert or neglect patients receiving therapy (2005). Art therapist must fully explain to their patients what their expectations of the patients will be at the outset of the professional relationship between the two (ATCB 2005). Art therapists are should continue therapy with a patient only if the client is benefiting from the therapy (ATCB 2005). It’s against the principles established by the ATCB for art therapist to have patients only for financial reasons (ATCB 2005). Another topic of this section discuses the competency and integrity art therapist must possess (ATCB 2005). The ATCB states art therapist must be professionally proficient and have integrity (2005). Art therapist must keep up dated on new developments in art therapy. They are only supposed to treat cases in which they are qualified as established by their training, education, and experience (ATCB 2005). They are not allowed to treat patients currently seeing another therapist without the other therapist’s permission (ATCB 2005). Art therapist must observe patient confidentiality (ATCB 2005). Other topics covered in this section discuss other responsibilities of art therapists. This responsibilities include, “responsibility to students and supervisees, responsibility to research participants, responsibility to the profession” (ATCB 2005). This section also establishes the rules by which art therapists must follow when making financial arrangements and when they chose to advertise their service (ATCB 2005)
[edit] Independent Practitioner
Independent practitioners are art therapists who are practicing independently or responsible for the service they are providing to paying clients. This section covers the credentials for independent practitioners. Independent practitioners must provide a safe and functional environment to conduct art therapy sessions (ATCB 2005). According to ATCB, “this includes but is not limited to: proper ventilation, adequate lighting, access to water supply, knowledge of hazards or toxicity of art materials and the effort need to safeguard the health of clients, storage space for art projects and secured areas for any hazardous materials, monitored use of sharp objects, allowance for privacy and confidentiality, and compliance with any other health and safety requirements according to state and federal agencies which regulate comparable businesses” (2005). This section also establishes the standards for independent practitioners to follow when dealing with financial arrangements (ATCB 2005). Basically it states that the art therapist must provide a straight forward contract to the payer of the therapy sessions (ATCB 2005). It also states that the art therapist must not deceive the payers or exploit clients financially (ATCB 2005). The last topics this section sets standards for address treatment planning an documentation (ATCB 2005). Art therapists must provide a treatment plan that assists the patients to reach or maintain the highest level of quality of life and functioning (ATCB 2005). This involves using the clients’ strengths to help them reach their goals and address their needs (ATCB 2005). Art therapists are also required to record and take notes that reflect the proceedings of the events of therapy sessions (ATCB 2005). According to ATCB, the following is the minimum of which must be documented: “the current goals of any treatment plan, verbal content of art therapy sessions relevant to client behavior and goals, artistic expression relevant to client behavior and goals, changes (or lack of change) in affect, thought process, and behavior, suicidal or homicidal intent or ideation” (2005) and a summary of the “clients response to treatment and future treatment recommendations” (2005).
[edit] Eligibility for Credentials
This section of the ATCB Code of Professional Practice outlines the process by which art therapy students receive their credentials. It discusses the standards for eligibility and describes the application process. It also states that the ATCB certificates are the property of the ATCB and that any art therapist who loses their certificate and still claim to have ATCB credentials can be punished legally. It also discusses the procedure to follow when accused of wrong doing related to art therapy. Lastly, it discusses the wrong doings related to art therapy that therapists can be convicted for with a felony or another criminal conviction. These wrong doings include rape, sexual abuse, assault, battery, prostitution, or the sale of controlled substances to patients.
[edit] Standards of Conduct
This section of the ATCB Code of Professional Practice addresses in detail confidentiality, use of clients’ artwork, professional relationships, and grounds for discipline (ATCB 2005). Art therapists are permitted to disclosing information about the clients’ therapy sessions. This includes “all verbal and/or artistic expression occurring within a client-therapist relationship” (ATCB 2005). Art therapist are only allowed to release confidential information if they have explicit written consent by the patient of if the therapist has reason to believe the patient needs immediate help to address a severe danger to the patients life (ATCB 2005). Also, therapists are not allowed to publish or display any of the patients work without the expressed written consent of the patient (ATCB 2005). The standards of a professional relationship between art therapists and clients are covered in this section. Within a professional relationship, art therapists are banned from engaging in exploitative relationships with current and former patients, students, inters trainees, supervisors, or co-workers (ATCB 2005). The ATCB defines an exploitative relationship as anything involving sexual intimacy, romance, or borrowing or loaning money (ATCB 2005). Within professional relationships, therapists are to do what they feel is best in the clients interest, shall not advance a professional relationship for their own benefit, and shall not steer their patients in the wrong direction (ATCB 2005). The breaking of any of the standards established in this section is grounds for discipline (ATCB 2005).
[edit] Disciplinary Procedures
The content contained in this section of the ATCB Code of Professional Practice specifically discusses in legal and technical detail the entire disciplinary procedures for wrong doings in art therapy (2005). Main topics covered in this section cover: “submission of allegations, procedures of the Disciplinary Hearing Committees, sanctions, release of information, waivers, reconsideration of eligibility and reinstatement of credentials, deadlines, bias, prejudice, and impartiality” (ATCB 2005).
[edit] Bibliography
Malchiodi, Cathy A. (1998). The Art Therapy Sourcebook. Los Angeles, CA: Lowell House. ISBN 1-56565-884-1.
Beeson, Ed. (2006). Picture of Hope. Herald News. December 5, 2006.
Carroll, Linda. (2006). The Art of Therapy. Neurology Now. November/December, 2006: p24-27.
Barber, Vicky. (2006). Art Therapy and the Child. Therapy Today. September 2006 Vol. 17 Issue 7: p38-40.
Miller, Barbara. (2006). Veterans Find Healing Outlets in Art. The Patriot-News. November 9, 2006.
Malchiodi, Cathy A. (2006). Art Therapy Shows Promise with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of American Art Therapy Association. 2006Volume 23, Issue 4. Ahmed, S Haroon. (2006). Healing Through Art Therapy in Disaster Settings. Lancet. December 2006 Vol. 368, p28-29.
Betts, Donna. (2002). Art Therapy. http://www.art-therapy.us/art_therapy.htm. American Art Therapy Association, Inc. 2002. Retrieved on Jan. 24, 2007.
About Art Therapy. http://www.arttherapy.org/about.html. American Art Therapy Association, Inc. Retrieved on Jan. 24, 2007.
Bettis, Donna. (2002). Art Therapy Assessments Used In Research. http://www.art-therapy.us/assessment.htm. American Art Therapy Association, Inc. Retrieved on Jan. 28, 2007.
ATCB Code of Professional Practice. http://www.atcb.org/extras/atcb/pdfs/code-2005.pdf. Art Therapy Credentials Board. Retrieved on Jan. 28, 2007.
Hogan, S. 2001. Healing Arts: The History of Art Therapy. London: Jessica Kingsley Press. ISBN: 1 85302 799 5
- Killick, Katherine; Schaverien, Joy (1997). Art, Psychotherapy and Psychosis. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-13841-8.
- Schaverien, Joy. "Art within analysis: scapegoat, transference and transformation". Journal of Analytical Psychology 44 (4): 479-510.
[edit] Useful External Links
[edit] Journals
- Information on International journal of art therapy : Inscape (Print ISSN: 1745-4832; Online ISSN: 1745-4840) at psychotherapyarena.com
International Arts Therapies Journal (Online) ISSN:1476 2900
http://www.derby.ac.uk/v-art/journal/journal.asp
[edit] Professional Collectives & Associations
BRITISH & UK
CANADA
FRANCE
ISRAEL
NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA
USA
- American Art Therapy Association
- Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association
- Georgia Art Therapy Association
- International Expressive Arts Therapy Organization
- NYC Art Therapy
- Potomac Art Therapy Associaton
- Virginia Art Therapy Association
Artists & "Art in Help" related sites
- Artists Helping Children - Art Therapy Children's Charity.
- ArtWorks: The Naomi Cohain Foundation
- Art Plop
- The Healing Power of Art
- Courageous Happiness: Healing through Positive Psychology
- Self help healing arts journal
- Free Mandalas ready to print and coloring for the senior people
Communty Arts
Discussion Forums
| subjects | |
|---|---|
| art therapy schools | |
| art therapy issues | |
| art therapy books and journals | |
| art therapy & therapeutic arts conferences |
[edit] See also
- dance therapy
- drama therapy
- music therapy
- poetry therapy
- Inscape (poetry, metaphysics)
- Inscape (visual art) (associated with Roberto Matta, surrealism, and psychoanalysis)
