This case study describes an art therapy intervention with a client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who was coping with grief. The course of fifteen sessions included three phases: body awareness, grief emotions, and grief acceptance. The positive changes parallel ways that art therapy can benefit older adults by promoting communication,…

In this article I discuss the benefits of using road drawings in art therapy for the specialized treatment needs of women in a gender-specific residential substance use treatment center. Gender differences in substance use treatment are explained and the benefits of using art therapy in the treatment of substance use disorders are reviewed. The…

This multiple case study investigated the impact of art therapy treatment on depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with infertility. A mixed-methods study design was implemented in which 13 participants each engaged in 6 individual art therapy sessions. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was administered before and after the 6 sessions,…

This article describes the healing benefits of art therapy for an individual with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. In this clinical case description, a woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease received individual art therapy for 17 weeks. The treatment concerns that arose, altered view of reality, agitation, and retrogenesis provide insight on…

Art therapy is often thought of as an adjunct to counseling; however, because of its unique ability to bypass defenses, in some situations, art therapy may be a treatment of choice to allow clients to discover and express feelings that are often difficult to express verbally. Using art as therapy does not require that the therapist or the client…

This study sought to investigate the use of art therapy to assist a young person with mental illness making a transition from long-term inpatient care to a psychosocial residential rehabilitation setting. An art-based phenomenological case study method was used to investigate a lived experience of this transition. The participant attended 11 art…

This case report discusses the potential for art therapy to aid in the recovery of early-chronic stroke patients. The patient was diagnosed with having a subarachnoid hemorrhage from a cerebral aneurysm rupture 1 year prior to hospitalization. Therapies used as part of the patient's treatment included 10 weeks of art therapy conducted twice a…

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)

Describes two years of field observations working on the Penobscot Indian reservation. Discusses three issues found to be central to effective therapeutic relationships: trust, common ground, and mutual respect and understanding. Discusses client art as it relates to Native American spirituality, values, and personal growth. (JPS)

This book is a research-based resource for professionals treating women who are sexually abused by female perpetrators, mainly mothers and grandmothers. The book first focuses on the female perpetrator, defines the treatments that have proven successful, and provides an overview of the available literature. Also addressed are the myths and…

Discusses the forces compelling young adolescent females toward early parenthood, a community-based art therapy/pregnancy program for elementary and junior high school girls, the use of interactive museum gallery visits to enhance art-therapy treatment goals, and case vignettes that illustrate issues raised for the adolescent and art therapist…

This pilot study (N = 18) explored the effectiveness of focusing and expressive arts therapies intervention on the quality of life of women with breast cancer. The format was a 2-day (7 hours per day) retreat/support group in which complementary treatments (focusing, writing, art, and movement) were provided in an intensive format. Our hypothesis…