The psychologist Erik Erikson describes his epigenetic theory of the stages of human development; Joan Erikson discusses the function of art as a healing medium. (SK)

Analyzed the lyrics of the 100 most popular songs in America from the 1950s to the 1980s to assess their value themes. Extracted nine value themes: romantic love, celebration, humanitarianism, antiestablishmentarianism, friendship, patriotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and nostalgia. Romantic love, particularly that of "innocent" young…

In James Torrenzano's art therapy classes, success is measured by students' ability to trust in themselves and others to overcome fears and take chances. Trust is a central goal of art therapy, a technique merging special education, art, and psychology. At Fairfax County (Virginia) Schools' Herndon Center, emotionally disabled seventh and eighth…

Presents an integrated model as an appropriate intervention to enable mourning and creativity and thus help in the prevention and treatment of unresolved grief in midlife. Two examples of this model in art-psychotherapy group treatment are provided. (Contains 53 references, 1 table, and 2 figures.) (GCP)

Compares the effects of instructional art projects on children's behavioral responses and creativity in a sample of children residing in an emergency shelter. Results reveal that children produced more formed expressions and creative/design elements and less chaotic discharge and stereotypic art through the art project that involved few…

Investigates the use of the Naglieri Draw-a-Person Test (DAP) for its appropriateness for use by art therapists. A total of 306 drawings were collected from 34 children, ages 5 to 10, over a 1-year period in three phases. Concludes that the Naglieri DAP would be a useful tool for art therapists in the assessment of cognitive development. (Contains…

Describes the experience of creating and working with the Face Stimulus Assessment (FSA). Six samples of the FSA completed by clients with multiple disabilities are presented. As the FSA is a work in progress and has yet to be established as a valid and reliable assessment, implications for further research are also discussed. (Contains 32…

Discusses the studio as a therapeutic community of images where the therapist functions as keeper of the space. It is not the physical suitability that determines the suitability of the space; rather, distractions and imperfections in the space may more accurately mirror the state of psyche and so induce the passionate engagement that calls forth…

ArtStreet is a group of artists, art therapists, and interested community members who collaborate to create an atmosphere in which homeless artists can create and sell their works. Artists from the community share their expertise in various media, and the project is funded by various local and national foundations. (JPS)

Presents art therapy intervention protocol developed for burn trauma unit over 10-year period. Considers research model for assessing artwork and psychosocial transition from trauma, rationales for art therapy in medical settings, and documentation. Case study illustrates ways that art media were used to review, integrate, and express personal…

Discusses four treatment models with reference to working with resistance in art therapy: drive psychology, object relations theory, self-psychology, and ego psychology. Notes that each model imagines resistance in its own way. Considers working with these four models of treatment (art diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, and…

Used standardized three-picture art interview, Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS), with older people. Collected artwork from 24 patients diagnosed with Organic Mental Syndromes and Disorders (OMS/D). Structural qualities found in art were identified using DDS. Observations of these qualities may aid in early diagnosis of OMS/D and help educate…

Notes enduring hypothesis that knotholes, broken branches, damaged trunks, and leafless trees are indicative of traumatic episodes in individual's life. Reviews selected past research which does not definitely confirm or deny basic hypothesis and reports current study based on tree drawings from Diagnostic Drawing Series Archive. Presents…

Designed and tested battery of drawing techniques with scoring methodology appropriate for investigation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Variables as a whole and most hypothesized drawing features provided significant discrimination between age-matched controls and AD subjects. Capability to discriminate was also provided by objective measures of use…

Art therapy practice analysis surveys were completed by 1,125 Registered Art Therapists. Most respondents were females, Caucasian, and graduates of master's degree programs in art therapy. Respondents rated "creating therapeutic environment" as most important major responsibility of entry-level as therapists. (NB)