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…

This editorial looks at the good and great things happening in art therapy at a time when other aspects of life, such as the economy, are shrinking. Faculty from art therapy education programs were requested to share those synchronistic events in art therapy that make it an enriching and rewarding pursuit. (BF)

According to Sue and Sue (1999), the invisible veil is a worldview which affects all individuals as products of cultural conditioning and which operates outside the level of conscious awareness. Further, they state that the "values, assumptions, beliefs, and practices of our society are structured in a manner as to serve only one narrow segment of…

The reflecting team has been a respected mode of therapeutic intervention since psychiatrist Tom Anderson first proposed the concept in 1985 (Anderson, 1991). The notion of a team observing the therapist conducting a session, the reflecting team reflecting on the session in the presence of the client (either behind a one-way mirror or in person),…

Given the increasing use of art as a means of fostering communication in therapeutic settings, it was hypothesized that an art-focused group activity might improve social relations on a college campus and reduce campus residents' levels of loneliness. A controlled efficacy evaluation was conducted using college students (N=140) living in 11…

This article examines the development of academic training in art therapy, including the role of the American Art Therapy Association in establishing training standards for the field. An appended commentary by Donald Uhlin notes further progress toward program accreditation. Part of a theme issue on art therapy. (SJL)

The Open Studio as a way of working evolved in an effort to maximize the effectiveness of the artmaking project as a means to increase and deepen consciousness. This method differentiates art from psychotherapy and calls into question the validity of marrying the two experiences. (JPS)

Explored concepts of brain hemispheric lateralization and distinct right brain functioning in extensive dissociation by administering Dissociative Experiences Scale to 114 engineering students and 92 university drawing students. Chi-square calculation found differences in dissociative scoring levels between groups that approached significance at…

Discusses importance of addressing culture, values, and aesthetics in training of art therapists. Illustrates how students can be guided to discover and examine influence which culture has on their own and others' perceptions of different modes of artistic expression. Contends that newly gained sensibility can give direction to students'…

Relationships among anger, anger drawing themes, and age are investigated in this follow-up study. Data used were scores from Spielberger's State Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and an anger theme drawing. Chi-square and two-factor ANOVA were used. Results suggest that anger drawing theme is a function of maturity rather than level of…

Considers the question of whether art therapy is an idea or a profession. Presents a brief overview of professions, the benefits and consequences of professions, challenges facing the profession of art therapy, and ideas for the future. Discusses service learning as a way of helping students become concerned about making a difference. (Contains 20…

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)

The visual arts lend themselves naturally to contemplation of self. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy in increasing self-awareness of participants in an art therapy class are examined. The independent variables under consideration were participation status, university classification, type of instruction, and…

Describes the author's practical and theoretical explorations of the potentials of humanistic psychology and expressionistic writing pedagogy for academic and therapeutic learning. Creates a framework based on his own experiences where education and therapy together seek a more holistic approach to their fields. (SR)

Describes the results of a workshop with two groups of art therapists who met to gain a better understanding of the knowledge base of art therapy and professional identity, and the importance of including prescribed content area in curricula. Attempts to offer valuable perspectives by including both art therapy educators and practitioners.…