A diorama, a three-dimensional scene created within a box or vessel, can be used in art therapy to explore aspects of the sexual self, including: sexual identity, fantasy, and desire, as well as issues pertaining to self-image, gender identity, and sexual empowerment. Based on case examples in workshop settings, the sexuality diorama intervention…

This article presents a therapeutic framework to examine the continuum of creative destruction to transformation through altered book making. The rebuilding of a printed book parallels desired changes that bring individuals to art therapy, including concepts related to reframing, reforming, and reclaiming. The relationship between creative…

Little music therapy research has been published on therapeutic presence (TP). This study explored the inclusion of TP in music therapy education. Participants were eight credentialed music therapists who identified as music therapy educators and/or clinical supervisors. They attended one of two focus groups and were asked to submit a 1-minute…

Training art therapists requires fair grading systems that equitably assess learning styles and developmental levels of academic aptitude, particularly with longer term art assignments. As students progress in their studies, a contemplative education framework offers a self-directed learning environment that strives to share grading…

This pilot study examined parental responses to artistic processes and products in the framework of art-based parental training (ABPT), which was offered concurrent to child art therapy. Thirty-four parents and their children completed scales before and after the 10 month program. Results showed several positive correlations between changes in…

The purpose of this study is to analyze how immigrant youths' experiences of collage art therapy were shown in their emotional changes. Research question is as follow: How do the emotional changes of immigrant youths, who participated in the collage group art therapy program, appear in their art works? For this end, 3 immigrant youths were chosen…

Biopsychosocial theory is strengthening psychotherapy by focusing on interactions that engage the attachment system. Art therapy has the potential to align coherently with current theory provided it addresses the value of art in engaging with the attachment system. This article describes an interpersonal theory of art therapy based on a model of…

This randomized controlled study examined effects of mandala (structured and unstructured) and instruction (directed expression and free expression) on state anxiety, mood, and state mindfulness. Participants included 69 undergraduates randomly assigned to one of four conditions following anxious mood induction. The design followed 2 (mandala) X 2…

This article details a community-based art therapy mural project with young people involved in New York City's justice system. To address the racial and economic oppression they confront, the project aimed to increase social bonds and create social power shifts within a collective community. Examples from two projects, "Good Art: Bad…

Ecotherapy-based experiences have been shown to provide multiple benefits such as improved cognitive functioning, increased overall well-being and improved mental and physical health. Few, if any studies have considered the benefits of providing these types of experiences for urban community college students. This pilot study introduces an eco-art…

The recovery-oriented approach to psychiatric care encourages decision making between patients and providers. However, one barrier to patients' involvement in their own treatment planning is the lack of meaningful communication with providers. Healthy Mind Messages, a collaborative art installation created by patients and staff at the Oregon State…

The benefits of using art in health care, especially with cancer patients, have been described anecdotally. However, few manuscripts include a conceptual framework to describe the evaluation of patient programs. This paper describes patients' evaluation of a healing arts program developed within a hospital for cancer patients that used art-making,…

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA, 2012) has identified one of the ways elementary school counselors can assist students to become successful in school is to offer small group counseling through the responsive services delivery system. Expressive arts, such as creating mandalas, provide a non-threatening approach for school…

Although art-based supervision often leads to supervisee disclosure, little is known about the experience, process, or contributions of such disclosure. We investigated the phenomenon of supervisee disclosure during "El Duende" Process Painting art-based group supervision using a qualitative study. JoHari's Window was used as a grounding…

In this study we explored the effects of group art therapy on the emotional well-being and parental empathy of mothers of children with special educational needs. Eleven mothers of children who were diagnosed with at least 1 kind of special educational need participated in a 16-week program. We hypothesized that the art therapy group would help…