ERIC Number: EJ777001
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 7
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0742-1656
EISSN: N/A
Therapeutic Qualities of Clay-Work in Art Therapy and Psychotherapy: A Review
Sholt, Michal; Gavron, Tami
Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, v23 n2 p66-72 2006
The aim of this article is to identify and define the diagnostic and therapeutic qualities of clay-work in contemporary conceptualization (attachment theory, object relations, and psychoanalytic theory). Three central features of clay-work are highlighted: (1) procedural expression through touch, movement, and the three-dimensional aspect; (2) the reflection of construction and deconstruction processes; and (3) the regression process. The authors differentiate six therapeutic factors that emerged from a review of the literature: facilitating expression of emotions, catharsis, rich and deep expressions, verbal communication, revealing unconscious material, and concretization and symbolization. Short case examples of therapeutic processes are described to illustrate these ideas.
Descriptors: Verbal Communication, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, Counseling Techniques, Case Studies, Art Materials
American Art Therapy Association. 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. Tel: 888-290-0878; Tel: 703-212-2238; Fax: 847-566-4580; e-mail: info@arttherapy.org; Web site: http://www.arttherapy.org/aaatj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A