The focus of this outcome study was on art therapy as a support for medical treatment and palliative care. A total of 41 patients were placed in 2 matched groups: 22 patients with Parkinson's disease and 19 patients without Parkinson's disease. Each participant completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) (Derogatis, 1993) pre- and post-session,…

In this outcomes study (N=40), changes in stress levels were compared across two participant conditions for a period of artistic activity with a cognitive focus on either a personally stressful or positive situation. Results indicated that participants in the positive-focus condition demonstrated a significant decrease in stress, whereas…

As a Chaplain working in the Anglican school system in Melbourne, Australia, my concern is with the spiritual development of students. This year I have been trialing the educational application of activities used in creative arts therapy. Continuing the theme of my recent doctoral studies in children's spirituality, I am concerned that education…

In this art therapy adaptation of the squiggle technique, the client draws eight colored squiggles on a paper folded into eight frames and then develops them into images utilizing a full range of color. The client is encouraged to write titles on each frame and use them to compose a story. This technique often stimulates emergence of meaningful…

Describes a sculpture project for emotionally disturbed children conducted by a New York artist. (SJL)

On September 12, 2001, the Techniques in Art Therapy class in the art therapy program at Albertus Magnus College met at its normal Wednesday evening time. This article describes the class session through the words and images of several class members who found the class useful in their own process of beginning to deal with the attacks and their…

After the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on 9/11/01, New York's art therapy community found itself faced with difficult political, professional, and emotional challenges. As volunteerism across this country responded to the need for assistance, many New York art therapists were on the front lines of a wounded and frightened city while…

Arts activities in prisons, such as the work of Britain's Geese Theatre Company, have a therapeutic effect but are often hampered by lack of funds, materials, and space and difficulties with the attitudes of prison administrators and staff. (SK)

This research project extends a previous study (Vick & Sexton-Radek, 1999) in examining the relationship between artmaking and pain among 127 migraine sufferers. A basic overview of migraine symptoms and treatment is presented along with a discussion of concepts relating to "migraine art" in order to provide a context for this project. Surveys…

An art-teacher therapist discusses six principles she uses in working with disturbed children (such as consistency of management and clearly defined expectations and limits), and cites two examples of how an art project can help children develop trust and lessen their withdrawal. (CL)

This teacher believes that art has the power to heal, or at least aid in the healing process. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, her students needed some way to express the injustice they felt. They discussed the attacks, and had some free drawing to release it from their system. They even did some patriotic-themed projects to boost their…

Proposes that inclusion of arts in the curriculum of all handicapped students can improve motor, perceptual, and social skills, and can be of functional, therapeutic, and aesthetic value. Suggests ideas for adopting art instruction to the needs of handicapped children in regular and special education classes. (JD)

We investigated whether artmaking improves mood, and if so, whether this effect is best explained by "catharsis" or "redirection." In Experiment 1, participants viewed tragic images and then either drew a picture based on their feelings or copied shapes. Those who drew exhibited more positive mood after drawing; those who copied shapes did not.…

Discusses how the art experiential is the central technique of art therapy, making it different from other therapeutic approaches. Uses the authors' personal experiences with mask-making in clinical and training settings to illustrate ideas about selecting particular art experiences. (Contains 31 references.) (GCP)

Of general interest in this study comparing two cottage-home art therapy groups was the question of whether or not a token reward system would increase children's cooperative behaviors and art production. Participants in the study were residents at a treatment facility for abused children. Cottages differed in the responsiveness of residents to…