Art Therapy: Programs, Uses and Benefits

Art therapists have long theorized about the healing properties of visual expression through various media and have articulated the importance of media choices based on individual client needs for self-expression and healing. Art Therapy is a tool that can favor social, educational and cultural integration for disadvantaged children and minority communities. Artistic activities promote tolerance, dialogue, respect for diversity and interaction among others. The field of art therapy is based on a few basic assumptions that only recently have achieved some degree of research-based support. The first chapter of this book examines three assumptions that underlie the field of art therapy and their relations to art therapy theory and practice. The second chapter reviews the model of the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), and illustrates its use in assessment and treatment planning with case examples. The following chapters introduce aesthetics as it informs art therapy intervention; present the concept of ritual and explores the possibility of creating spontaneous rituals as a central axis in art therapy, in drama therapy and in nature therapy in particular; explores art therapy programs for building peace territories in schools in Ecuador; provide a literature review relevant to the use of visual journaling with military veterans; studies art therapy for mobilizing personal resources in the elderly; describes the Videoinsight® Method and it’s applications in the psychotherapeutic setting, in distress prevention and in promoting well-being and early recovery during rehabilitation following surgery; and provides an overview of the application of LEGO® block creations as a medium for art therapy.