In this article, the author shares her experience of being part of the creation of a memorial. mosaic dedicated to those who had died on September 11, 2001. Working with veterans at a long-term outpatient program within a Veterans Administration (VA) Mental Hygiene Clinic, she found that the physical process of constructing something from…

Violent incidents occur frequently in schools and suicide ranks second to accidents as the leading cause of death among adolescents. The purpose of this presentation is to summarize the findings of six studies that used a stimulus-drawing task for access to fantasies, thoughts, and feelings. The studies were based on the theory that the task can…

For several years, researchers have systematically investigated therapeutic communication in the counseling relationship. Although comparative studies have assessed the similarities and differences among various approaches, no one has compared verbal and art therapeutic communication. This study analyzed the demonstrated equivalence of verbal and…

A qualitative research study documents the progress of an adult male art student enrolled in a grade nine art class of adult males in a federal, maximum security penitentiary. Analog drawings were used as part of the curriculum. An analog drawing is a symbolic drawing expressing one's emotions, ideas, and feelings, often used to identify and help…

The booklet presents an art therapist's thoughts on contributions of art therapy to the development of severely and profoundly impaired students. She emphasizes the importance of sensory exploration as an introduction to the child's environment. Also stressed is the importance of positive and accepting attitudes on the part of teachers or…

The proceedings of the 2nd annual Pittsburgh Conference on Art Therapy (with handicapped persons) consists of 44 items including full length papers, summaries of previously published papers, descriptions of workshops, and a limited number of abstracts (submitted by those who chose not to present a paper or workshop description). The papers are…

Sought to compare the visual imagery (i.e., the drawings) and the metaphorical statements (i.e., the words used to describe the pictures) of coping and noncoping children to ascertain whether the pictures and words of coping children reflect emotional health, whereas those of noncoping children signify inner turmoil. (ABB)

Discusses when, how, and why elementary school counselors might use art materials in working with children. Discusses establishing a trusting relationship, timing, choice of media, using what emerges therapeutically, processing the session, projective techniques, and training and resources. (ABL)

Reviews some of the literature on seriously ill children and the use of art in counseling these children. Discusses self-concept, spontaneous drawings, and counseling techniques. Presents and comments on artwork produced in the last 18 months of the life of a young girl with leukemia. (ABL)

The Silver Drawing Test (SDT) and Draw A Story (DAS) test were designed to reveal a person's cognitive and emotional conditions. How these tests were developed and some of the research concerning their efficacy are detailed in this report. It opens with an overview of the SDT. The report then discusses recent studies on the test: "Sex and Age…

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)

Describes how creative arts are enmeshed in historical and contemporary Native spiritual and humanistic value systems. Claims that the interconnectedness of creative arts and Native existence represents a feasible option for helping professionals who work with this population. Presents examples to support the potential of this intervention. (RJM)

It is generally accepted that males are superior to females in spatial ability. To test this assumption, the Silver Drawing Test (SDT) was administered to students 12 to 15 years old (33 girls and 33 boys) attending public schools in Nebraska, New York, and Pennsylvania. No significant differences in spatial ability were found. (KW)

Presents case studies of two children of four and five years who had experienced sexual abuse. Discusses the significance of their drawings in relation to the uncovering and treating of the trauma of sexual abuse. (RJC)