Questioning whether the hierarchy of evidence is a good fit for the art therapy profession furthers the scholarly climate of art therapy research practices. Contemporary art therapy research practices are reviewed in 8 notable areas: effectiveness, salience, functionality, appropriateness, safeness, cost-effectiveness, program satisfaction, and…

There is a growing understanding for the integration of art therapy into hospital settings. This viewpoint explores a newly introduced art therapy program at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Launched with private funding, the success of the program has been predicated on communicating the importance of art materials and studio…

In this article I weave together the relevance of narrative textile work in therapeutic and human rights contexts; showcase Common Threads, an international nonprofit that uses story cloths with survivors of gender-based violence; outline a master's level art therapy course in story cloths; and relate how textiles helped build a sibling…

Shrinky Dinks[R] are a plastic-sheet material that shrinks, hardens and thickens when heated in a traditional or toaster oven. The material was a favorite of generations, but many contemporary students and professionals in art have never had the opportunity to play with the unique media. This article discusses Shrinky Dinks and the importance of…

The aim of this article is to identify and define the diagnostic and therapeutic qualities of clay-work in contemporary conceptualization (attachment theory, object relations, and psychoanalytic theory). Three central features of clay-work are highlighted: (1) procedural expression through touch, movement, and the three-dimensional aspect; (2) the…

This article describes the development and assessment of a graduate level online art therapy class. An introduction briefly defines art therapy and the need for distance learning in this field. The challenges inherent in teaching art therapy online, including working with art media and developing appropriate interpersonal skills and group…

Describes experiences in using art with the homeless in an open studio approach. Discusses how offering open studio time with a range of materials showed that the homeless, each with a unique style and personal interests, were eager to create art objects and present them to the public. (RJM)

In this article, the authors discuss how art educators often find themselves faced with students whose needs are beyond what the art educators feel trained to handle. How can they design lessons so that every student feels successful? Because art educators are also art therapists, school colleagues often ask them for help in working with students…

Describes "Snakes in the Grass," a weaving project used with special needs students. Discusses the preliminary skill-building activities used, the process for creating the students' individual snakes, and the preparation and process for how the students wove the snakes. (CMK)

Describes a group counseling program for Native American youth, using art as the primary counseling intervention in a public school setting. Ten Native American boys and girls, ages 7-17, participated in the development of the program protocol. Art created a symbolic vehicle for creative expression that enhanced personal and social functioning.…