An expressive arts therapist and a pediatrician in an inpatient child psychiatric unit collaborated on the design of psychotherapeutic visits for sexually abused children. Three cases illustrate the potential therapeutic role of the pediatrician in resolving traumatic events, by decreasing the child's anxiety about physical concerns. (JDD)

Investigated effects of group counseling using art activities in improving self-esteem among Hawaiian elementary children (N=50). Found subjects who participated in counseling had higher Social Peer-Related and Academics/School-Related Self-Esteem scores than children who did not participate. (ABL)

Notes that dual identity of artist and therapist can be particularly problematic for art therapist and that transference and countertransference issues are complicated by these roles. Presents theoretical review and case study in which adolescent client was motivated, prolific, talented, and dramatically improving behaviorally as result of art…

Investigated effect of alexithymia upon person's art production. Administered Toronto Alexithymia Scale and 100-mm analog scales for depression and anxiety to 100 psychiatric patients. Each subject drew and identified his/her illness. All subjects, even those quantified as alexithymic, were able to graphically communicate their illness using these…

Presents literature review of specific cross-cultural therapeutic principles to be considered during art therapy. Defines how barriers such as language, diagnostic errors, and others may influence treatment and possibly contribute to client's early termination of treatment. Considers use of art materials and gives attention to products and/or…

Through art therapy, children express symbolically what they will not or cannot express emotionally to those close to them, and some children have the added stress of family problems that are magnified due to the situation. Presents the case history of a nine-year-old girl in the terminal stages of leukemia whose artwork symbolized family unity.…

Shows how applying art-therapy techniques to the basic principles of narrative therapy enhances the potential for therapists and families to open the door to externalizing conversations that lead to a new life. (Author/MKA)

Various mental-health professionals use drawings and other art in therapy, but relatively little has been written on the ethics surrounding this technique. Should artwork be viewed as equivalent to verbal communication? A variety of ethical issues including confidentiality, documentation, ownership, research, publication, and display of work are…

Reports on assessments of four affects (anxiety, depression, anger, and contentment) using three different measures. Results show that staff members (n=44) reported lower levels of dysphoric affect than 40 psychiatric inpatients. Findings show that therapists can predict affects that are suggested by prestructured visual elements used in the…

Focuses on the dissonance that exists between most therapies offered to women seeking help and their need to be heard. Presents numerous examples of how art therapy allows women clients to tailor the therapy to fit their own view of the problems and discover solutions that keep them in relationships. (RJM)

Examines the Mandala (circular) drawings of elderly patients diagnosed with dementia in order to explore the drawings' role in artmaking and patients' internal processes. Categorized drawings using the MARI Card Test (a projective psychological instrument). Describes the six MARI stages drawn most frequently and colors used most often. (RJM)

Describes how art therapy can be used with an elderly population experiencing a wide range of cognitive impairments. Claims that the evocative nature of art allows older adults with dementia to become expressive and bypass some of their cognitive deficits. Focuses on evaluation, nonverbal communication, sensory exploration, and self-reflective…

Examines observations and research on question-answer interaction between client and therapist, and teacher and student. Discusses Patton's six-question instrument which provides categories of question options, with application for the art therapist. Argues that effective formulation of questions provides the clinician, educator, and researcher…

Reports on therapeutic outcomes resulting from use of idiomatic expression in group art therapy with children with Attention Deficit Disorder or Hyperactivity and related disorders who are in the latency stage. Major issues emerged related to self-concept, peer socialization, and family relations. Idioms were shown to stimulate affective-laden…

Discusses a study of job search and employment experiences among graduates (n=64) of a graduate art therapy training program. Results reflect an employment rate of 93.7% with a relatively high level of job satisfaction. Describes the nature of survey participants' job search employment, employment stability, availability of supervision, and…