introarttherapy

[introarttherapy]

Week 14

Vicky Duckworth

December 5, 2017

Today was presentation day. Lilian and I helped make fruit mandala before class. 

We went over the order of the presentations and then we began. 

After the first half of presentations we talked about the similarities between the first set of presentations. We found that there was some difficulty finding information on some of our topics difficult. We then took a break and then when then the the other half of the presentations went. 

After the presentations we wrapped the class and had a discussion about the other half of the presentations. We in addition discussed Karen Pence and her working in art therapy. We discussed the pros and the cons of her trying to work in art therapy. 

Here are some links that I found that are related to what we discussed:

Why I Chose My Initiative, Art Therapy: Healing with the HeART

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2017/10/18/why-i-chose-my-initiative-art-therapy-healing-with-the-heart

100 Art Therapy Exercises

http://intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/expressiveartinspirations/100-art-therapy-exercises.html

Art therapy as a career

https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/arts-and-humanities-in-health/art-therapist/

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Art Therapy with Child and Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Meghan Healey

Dr. Kay

Intro to Art Therapy

Temple University- Philadelphia PA

The topic I chose for my research paper was how art therapy benefits child and adolescent survivors of sexual abuse. 

Thesis:  Art therapy is a non-threatening approach to confronting traumatic events of a child and the most appropriate technique for diagnosis and treatment

In a book written by Malchiodi titled ‘Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse’, she explains how psychoanalysis plays a major role in the field of art therapy with the overall meaning of a child’s artwork varying greatly between sexually abused and non-sexually abused children. 

 However, in an article written by Dufrene title ‘ Art Therapy and the Sexually Abused Child’, the concept psychotherapy is viewed as intimidating for sexually abused children and adolescent’s due to the fear of being harmed by reporting sexual abuse. 

Dufrene addresses that graphic indicators are a key component in uncovering if sexual abuse has taken place. 

Malchiodi discusses that the incorporation of artwork is sometimes one of the only ways a child can address the traumatic occurrence within their life. Therefore, art therapy is commonly referred as “non-verbal therapy”. 

However, it is important to note that not all media in art is appropriate for every child who has experienced sexual abuse.

Conclusion:  The use of art therapy with children and adolescents has been proven to be extremely effective in the therapeutic process. The sensitivity that the art therapist provides is essential in the well-being and recovery of the abuse victim. With various art materials being incorporated through the stages of a child’s life, a drive to learn how to overcome the difficulties of using different materials is established, resulting in a drive to overcome the traumatic truth of their sexual abuse.

References

Haywood, S. (2012). Liminality, art therapy and childhood sexual abuse. International Journal of Art Therapy, 17(2), 80-86.

Malchiodi, C. (2011). Trauma Informed Art Therapy and Sexual Abuse in Children

In Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse (pp. 341-354). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Dufrene, P. (1994). Art Therapy and the Sexually Abused Child. Art Education, 47(6), 6-11. doi:10.2307/3193458

Trent, B. (1992). Art therapy can shine a light into the dark history of a child’s sexual abuse. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 146(8), 1412–1422.

Murphy, J., & EBSCO Publishing. (2001). Art therapy with young survivors of sexual abuse lost  for words. Hove: Brunner-Routledge.

Hagood, M. (2000). The use of art in counseling child and adult survivors of sexual abuse. London; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley.

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Art Therapy and the Transgender Community

Casey McKenna

Dr. Kay

Intro To Art Therapy

Temple University - Philadelphia, PA

My research topic explores Art Therapy as it relates to Transgender Individuals as well as considerations for Art Therapists when serving LGBT clients.

Thesis: Information about Transgender Identity in Art Therapy Education proves to be inadequate, however, where art therapy has been used to help transgender clients it has proven successful.

References for this research were pulled from multiple schools of thought and don’t always specifically mention transgender identity but prove useful when applied. 

“Art Therapy with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Clients” by Donna Addison is an essay that speaks on the problems and harmful practices surrounding conversion and reparative therapy. Such practice treats identity and orientation as an issue or even disease that needs curing. It also notes that while a clients LGBT status should be considered at certain times in therapy, it should never be seen as a clients reason for seeking therapy, as that further stigmatizes identity/orientation as the “problem” and perpetuates heteronormativity in society. 

“When art therapy meets sex therapy: creative explorations of sex, gender, and relationships” is an article by E.S. Metzl, a sex therapist who uses creative expressions to work through issues specifically regarding gender. This highlights helpful practices happening outside of the specific realms of Art Therapy, which can be fraught for resources.

“Picturing lesbian, informing art therapy: a postmodern feminist autobiographical investigation” is an essay by Susan Joyce explores art therapy as it relates to female identity and lesbianism but holds very important analysis’ regarding self representation and exploring self through artistic expression. It notes that gender scripts are always at play, therefore affirming that ignoring one’s LGBT identity can be as harmful as viewing it as one’s need for therapy. This exploration of self works well with another resource I used, Schnebelt’s essay “Art Therapy Considerations with Transgender Individuals” who talks about specific activities, such as creating “self symbols” (fictitious names to mark their artworks, creating appropriated visual timelines of self, etc.)  to establish more accurate gender narratives for transgender individuals. 

Above Artworks were created by anonymous transgender artists and included in Schnebelt’s case study “Art Therapy Considerations with Transgender Individuals”

Above Artwork “Internalized Homophobia” was created by a lesbian teacher who was afraid she would lose her job upon the discovery of her sexual orientation. Included in Addison’s essay.

Above Artwork by anonymous gay man who sought Art Therapy for issues unrelated to orientation. Included in Addison’s essay.

Conclusion: Resources for Art Therapists regarding Transgender clients are not abundant, yet many individuals have used their own knowledge and backgrounds to integrate gender identity specific practices within Art Therapy. Art Therapy proves to be a safe space for LGBT clients to explore understandings of self and as it relates to their body and to societal expectations. While Art Therapy can be successful with Transgender clients, expanded learnings of gender and orientation should be integrated with Art Therapy Education so that therapists can understand and properly treat issues regarding LGBT identity that are multi-faceted and omni-present. 

Reference List:

Hogan, S. (2003). Gender issues in art therapy. London: Kingsley.

 Joyce, S. (2008). Picturing lesbian, informing art therapy: a postmodern feminist autobiographical investigation. EPublications@SCU. Retrieved from http://epubs.scu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1347&context=theses

 Metzl, E. S. (2017). When art therapy meets sex therapy: creative explorations of sex, gender, and relationships. New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

 Thomas, B. (2011). Play and Art Therapy Interventions For Gender Nonconforming Children and Their Families . Retrieved from http://www.lianalowenstein.com/article_gender.pdf

 Schnebelt, Bryan A. (2015). Art Therapy Considerations with Transgender Individuals. Digital Commons @ Loyola Marymount University. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1155&context=etd

[introarttherapy]

Children with Attachment issues and Art Therapy

Mylenne Headen

Lisa Kay

Intro to Art Therapy

Temple University - Philadelphia, PA

What I wanted to find out:

Can art therapy have an influence over children during their early childhood and their relationship with their parents/ caregivers?

Background: 

Attachment is like a natural bond between children and their parents to ensure the protection and the survival of the infant.

There are 4 types of attachment: secure, resistant, avoidant, disorganized.

There are also 2 attachment disorders: reactive attachment disorder (RAD) and disinhibited social engagement disorder (DSED). Children with DSED lack physical and social boundaries, have a lack of wariness, and an inappropriate approach to strangers. Children with RAD involve an absence of attachment behaviors, failure to seek comfort when distressed, reduced social and emotional reciprocity, reduced positive emotion, increased negative emotion, and poor emotion regulation.

Lit Review:

I found 3 articles that talked about children with attachment issues and were also diagnosed with disorders. So, the results may have been influenced by other factors.

Tom (12) - had ASD and his mother barely spent time with him. He lived with his dad, whom was also working a lot and didn’t engage with him either, and was non-verbal. He was working with an occupational speech therapist but when he came to art therapy he had the most success. He communicating more and could handle the sensory stimulation that was presented during the sessions. He also started to develop a secure attachment to his nanny and therapist.

Katerina (9) - had RAD and was adopted by an American family from a Russian orphanage. She was manipulative towards her parents once they conceived a child after 2 years of adopting her. She made her parents pay by making them buy stuff for her and when they would object she got physically and verbally abusive toward the mother. Art therapy helped her take her out into clay and she understood that her rage can be too much and hard for her to control. However, her mother took her out.

Dewrin (2) - had ADHD and was uncooperative, in the beginning. He was a part of a group art therapy session for parents who wanted to work on their relationships with their children. His main problems were being non-verbal and creating an unsafe environment for others when he wouldn’t get his way. However, after getting into the routing with the sessions and working along side his mother and the therapist, it was easy for him to become engaged. 

Conclusion:

Art therapy does have an impact on children and their relationships with their parents/ caregiver. The sensory and social stimulation that art therapy presents allows for children and parents to work on their attachment issue. Attachment is about communication through love and support and the feel of someone being securely there. 

References:

Durrani, H. (2014). Facilitating Attachment in Children with Autism Through Art Therapy: A Case Study. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 24(2), 99-108.

Henley, D. (2005) Attachment Disorders in Post-Institutionalized Adopted Children: Art Therapy Approaches to Reactivity and Detachment. The Arts in Psychotherapy. 32(1), 29-46.

Parritz, R. & Troy, M. (2017) Disorders of Childhood: Development of Psychopathology (Kindle Version). Retrieved from Amazon.com

Proulx, L. (2002) Strengthening Ties, Parent-Child-Dyad: Group Art Therapy with Toddlers and Their Parents. American Journal of Art Therapy. 40(4), 238

[introarttherapy]

The effects of art therapy in the treatment of self injury

***TRIGGER WARNING***

Jessica Buchert

Professor Lisa Kay

Introduction to Art Therapy

Temple University

For starters, what is “Self Injury”?

- The most basic definition is “the act of deliberately injuring oneself without the intention of suicide”

This definition is very loose and can be easily misrepresented. The issue with defining this behavior is that people express it in many different forms and for many different reasons. Because of this, the following are generalizations of self harm behaviors, as they may not apply to all who self injure. 

Gaining a sense of control through art:

-For some who self injure, it is done to create a sense of control. A control over their emotions, situation, etc. 

-Through the process of creating art they are able to manipulate their materials in a way that makes them feel in control

Art by Kat Horsen

https://katthorsen.com/2011/12/17/part-21-daily-journal-workshop-self-harm-arttherapy/

Another aspect of art therapy that does wonders for people who struggle with self harm is the metaverbal aspect that art brings.

-Communication can be a struggle for people with self harming tendencies and art gives you the ability to say everything you wish to without a word. 

“The art making process allows clients to non-verbally express and cope with intense emotions that feel overwhelming. Through the therapeutic relationship and reflection on artwork, clients can learn how to talk about intense emotions and can build tools for more adaptive communication”    -Art as Therapy 

https://www.artastherapy.ca/art-as-therapy-blog/2016/10/15/supporting-someone-who-self-harms-thorough-art-therapy

Finally, the creation of a physical art work can allow the person to displace themselves from their problem. This ability to externalize their struggle and see it as no a part of themselves can be important as for people who self injure, you can feel like your own problem.

References:

Art as Therapy. “Supporting Someone Who Self Harms Thorough Art Therapy.” Art as Therapy,

                   Art as Therapy, 15 Oct. 2016, www.artastherapy.ca

Fitzgerald, Jocelyn. “Teens, Self Harm & Art Therapy.” Vancouver Counseling| Vancouver

                   Integrative Counseling Center, Vancouver Integrative Counseling, 31 Mar. 2015,

                  vancouverintegrativecounseling.com/teens-self-harm-art-therapy/.

Myrick, Amie C. “Incorporating Expressive Arts Techniques Into the Treatment of Adolescent

                   Self-Injury.” Www.lianalowenstein.com.

Stuckey, Adele. “How Art Therapy Helps with Self Injury.” Alexandria Art Therapy, LLC,

                    Alexandria Art Therapy, LLC, 11 Apr. 2016,

                    www.adelestuckey.com/blog/how-art-therapy-helps-sib.

Timmerman, Hillary. “Indiana University.” Art Therapy with Self-Harm, Indiana University , 30

                    May 2014, scholarworks.iupui.edu/handle/1805/4477.

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Community-Based Art Therapy Madeline Wilk Professor Lisa Kay Introduction to Art Therapy Temple University, Philadelphia

Introduction: 

-There are many benefits to art therapy within communities, including a sense of identity and treatment of mental illnesses without the stigma of therapy

-Art-making is a transformative process, and when art is being made within a specific community, it allows for both individual growth as well as improvement of the group as a whole

-Art therapy gives the community a chance to recover from trauma and come back even stronger

I wanted to investigate what skills are needed to be a successful community art therapy facilitator as well as other benefits community-based art therapy can offer.

(Whole Village Art Therapy Center, New Orleans)

Literature Review:

-A Model for Art Therapists in Community-Based Practice by Dylan D. Ottemiller & Yasmine J. Awais: the art therapist facilitator must be transparent about the goals they have for the community, what their role is, and what they can and cannot provide.

-Creative Art Therapy in a Community’s Participatory Research and Social Transformation by Lynn Kapitan: When an entire community is traumatized, they may turn to the arts to help the members move from personal tragedy to a more collective experience in order to heal the community as a whole.

-Cultural Institutions and Community Outreach: What Can Art Therapy Do? by Eugenia Canas: an art therapist going into a community is an outside party, so there must be a constant process of acculturation.

(Mural from Boulder Art Therapy Collective)

Findings:

-I found that the main qualities a facilitator in a community would need include an awareness of group dynamics, the ability to critically analyze social issues, the ability to collaborate with the community, and the ability to problem solve. It also has to be emphasized that the role of the art therapist in a community is “facilitator” and not “therapist.”

-The biggest challenge in this field is building the trusting relationships needed to work within a community. It’s good to either know a colleague who has worked in the community before, or to meet first with the community leaders and have them help you.

-Some more benefits of art therapy in communities include the community being able to identify their own needs and strengths, as well as creating a higher functioning community overall.

References:

- Creative Art Therapy in a Community’s Participatory Research and Social Transformation by Lynn Kapitan, Mary Litnell & Anabel Torres (2011)

- A Community Art Therapy Group for Adults with Chronic Pain by Aimee O’Neill (2015)

- A Model for Art Therapists in Community-Based Practice by Dylan D. Ottemiller & Yasmine J. Awais (2016)

- Cultural Institutions and Community Outreach: What Can Art Therapy Do? by Eugenia Canas (2011)

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Neurobiology of Art Therapy and Scientific Understanding of Why Art Therapy intervention is successful By. Teresa Lee

Introduction to Art Therapy Fall 2017

Instructed by Dr. Lisa Kay

Introduction

•Question: Is art therapy pseudoscience? 

•In this presentation, we will discuss how act of art-making process helps clients reduce anxiety by discussing previous research findings and neurobiological explanations.

Literature Review

1. Art Therapy and Clinical Neuroscience by Noah Hass-Cohen and Richard Carr

2. Efficacy of Creative Clay Work for Reducing Negative Mood: A Randomized Controlled Trial by Elizabeth R. Kimport and Steven J. Robbins

•Hypothesis- Use of clay work help clients express and work through negative emotional states

. •1. the tactile sensations and malleability associated with clay produce a nonverbal route to emotional expression

 •2. the physical process of clay modeling activate an individual’s creative impulses, particularly through the ability to transform a formless mass into a concrete and meaningful object.

Method

•Participants- 102 adults (74 female, 28 male) between the ages of 18 and 63. 

•Instrument- Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)

•Procedure- •Participants were assigned with four groups 

•Group A -handling clay with instruction to create a pinch pot 

•Group B -handling clay with instructions to manipulate it freely 

•Group C -handling soft stress ball with instructions to toss the ball in a structured manner 

•Group D -handling soft stress ball with instructions to manipulate it freely. 

•Time –baseline (control) , pre-treatment (induce anxiety state) and post-treatment.

Data analysis

POMS - mean anxiety scores of total clay groups significantly decreased compared to mean anxiety scores of total Stress Ball groups.

Similar results has shown in STAIS- S that mean anxiety scores of total clay groups were significantly reduced compared to mean anxiety scores of total stress ball groups.

Results

•On both POMS and STAI-S, groups that worked with clay showed significant decrease in anxiety compared to groups that worked with stress balls.

3. The Influence of Art Making on Anxiety: A Pilot Study by David Alan Sandmire, Sarah Roberts Gorham, Nancy Elizabeth Rankin, and David Robert Grimm

•Hypothesis •Participating in art-making process decreases anxiety.

Method

•Participants- 57 undergraduate students in freshmen year (45 females, 12 males) 

•Instrument-STAI-S (current state of Anxiety) and STAI-T (Long-term disposition toward anxiety) 

•Procedure- participants were randomly assigned either an art-making group (n=29) or a control group (n=28) one week prior to final examinations during fall and spring semesters. 

•Art making activities included painting or coloring pre-designed mandalas, free- form painting, collage making, still life drawing, and modeling with clay.

Data analysis

State Anxiety Analysis-Pre-activity state anxiety mean scores ± SD for the control and experimental groups were 36.2 ± 8.8 and 39.3 ± 9.4. Post- activity state anxiety mean scores for the control and experimental groups were 36.0 ±10.9 and 29.5 ± 8.6. A one-tailed, paired Student’s t test showed a significant decrease in the experimental group’s mean state anxiety score between the pre-activity and post-activity, p <.001, t = 3.98.

Trait-anxiety anlaysis- pre-activity mean scores ± SD for the control and experimental groups were 38.2 ± 10.2 and 39.1 ± 5.8.post-activity means scores for the control and experimental groups were 37.3 ± 11.2 and 33.3 ± 6.1. A two-tailed, paired Student’s t test showed there is a significant decrease in the experimental group’s mean trait anxiety score between pre-activity and post-activity, p < .001, t = 4.20.

Results

•The results support the hypothesis that art making significantly decrease participants’ state-related anxiety measure by STAI. Moreover, art making also show significantly decrease in anxiety with trait-related anxiety.

Conclusion

•Act of making art decreases negative moods, such as anxiety, supported by numerous studies and scientific evidence. Art therapy is science-based therapy and art making process heals people’s mental states.

References

•1. Hass-Cohen, N., & Carr, R. (2008). Art therapy and clinical neuroscience. London ; Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley. 

•2. Sandmire, D., Gorham, S., Rankin, N., & Grimm, D. (2012). The Influence of Art Making on Anxiety: A Pilot Study. Art Therapy, 29(2), 68-73. 

•3. Kimport, Elizabeth R., & Robbins, Steven J. (2012). Efficacy of Creative Clay Work for Reducing Negative Mood: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 29(2), 74-79. 

[introarttherapy]

Art Therapy With Children

ART THERAPY WITH CHILDREN 

TYLER KIDD

PROFESSOR. LISA KAY

INTRO TO ART THERAPY

ABSTRACT

Art therapy with children is a powerful influences on the psychological development of the young. It helps them express themselves and for them to be our future it makes this field most important. This paper is going to focus on how art therapy with children is illustrated. It will analyze the perception of the client and the therapist. It will also cover the success in the field and how therapist troubleshoot resistance which is an issue most therapist have with children clients. This paper will also tell the story of some art therapist that were interviewed about their experience working alongside children and helping them successfully throughout the process.

THESIS

Art Therapy has been used in various ways that has been helpful to all ages groups. It is especially important for children because with such developing minds it is important for them to be in a healthy state for a successful future.Art therapy is impactful on children with mental illness and disabilities because it helps them suppress their trauma and cope or overcome disabilities they may have.

Art by: Shannon Kringen

BENEFITS

Children are in the growing stages of their life and any emotional or physical trauma can trouble the rest of their lives. That is why it is very important for therapist to help release that tension and help them develop their minds with things  such with art to help them cope. Art therapy helps people balance and understand a sense of self. Whether that is self appreciation or self development it is necessary that we value ourselves because it is the only way we can continue on as our strongest self.

CASE STUDY

Belinda (pseudonym) at age four was brought to me after she told her mother and then the police how a man from their reservation had forced her to drink his privacy. After several visits involving drawing and playing, she said she was having dreams each night that she was “drinking his privates.” In our sixth session, as a way of having me enter her reality, she asked me to draw the man’s face from her description and the colors she selected (See Figure 2). Building on her suggestibility and the trust she began to feel for me, I explained that we had to catch those dreams before they got in her head. We made a dream catcher and I taught her to chant bad dreams go away. She was already displaying her hope that it would shield her. Belinda brought the dream catcher home; her mother hung it over her bed and each night reminded her to say bad dreams go away. After a week her dreams were less frequent. Since she was worried the bad man would show up she later made a headdress to wear as she performed a dance to keep away the bad man. Because of her experience with the dream catcher and her annual participation in reservation dancing, she was very excited with this project.

CONCLUSION

Art therapy helps define all understanding of a sense of self for children. It helps guide them out of the traumatic thoughts they may have and help push them through the obstacles that hold them back whether that is mentally and physically.

RESOURCES

Frank, P. (2015) How Art Therapy Can Help Children Facing Mental And Emotional Challenges. Retrieved October 31, 2017, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/07/art-therapy-children_n_7113324.html

Waller, D. (2006). Art Therapy for Children: How It Leads to Change. Retrieved October 31, 2017, from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1359104506061419

Malchiodi, C. (2016). Child Art Therapy: How It Works. Retrieved October 31, 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/arts-and-health/201601/child-art-therapy-how-it-works

How Art Therapy Can Help Children. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2017, from http://www.arttherapyjournal.org/art-therapy-for-children.html

KAUFMAN, B. (2010). EMPOWERING THE TRAUMATIZED CHILD THROUGH THE USE OF ART AND ACTION https://www.arttherapy.org/upload/News&Info/EmpoweringTraumatizedChild.pdf

Middlebrook, H. (2016) Suicide deaths on the rise in kids. Retrieved November 29, 2017, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/03/health/kids-suicide-deaths-increase/index.htm

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Art Behind Bars

Forensic Art Therapy

Phoebe Reese

Professor Lisa Kay

Tyler School of Art, Temple University

Introduction

Alabama Prison Arts & Project Exhibition

Forensic Art Therapy fuses together the art therapy principles, practices and its theory as well as legal matters. “Forensic Art Therapy is used for fact-finding endeavors and assists in resolving legal matters that are in dispute” (as cited in Gussak, 2014). What makes it so unique in its practice is that it expands the usual yet practical application of the art therapy field, it goes more than beyond the custom application of assessment and treatment.

I truly believe that it is something that completely encompasses therapeutic tendencies and the art realm, as well as consisting of a target group that I believe is in dire need of both of these things.

Literature Review

Benefits

It is used mainly to reduce symptoms of mental illness. For example, schizophrenic inmates could benefit from the mere use of art materials because they allow them to connect with reality in a different way. A depressed patient who has feelings of hopelessness within their cells can truly profit from a long term art project “to be helpful in giving them a future outcome”

It provides necessary diversion and emotional escape, sublimates aggression and violence, provides an inmate with an acceptable outlet in order to express oneself in a manner reasonable and appropriate to both the prison and outside culture, fosters self-expression and individual decision-making, reestablishes an identity above that of an inmate, socialization and teamwork becomes enhanced through group projects, works despite personal obstacles such as educational levels and literacy or lack thereof, helps shape self-esteem.

An art piece used to assess a defendant

The Art Therapist’s Role

”In Forensic Art Therapy the art therapist does not present as a clinician but rather retains a neutral, objective stance, which corresponds with forensic or investigative principles”(Gussak, 2014). This means that they need to be a bit more rounded in other subjects, this involves being accustomed to legal tenets, case law and ethical standards of typical forensic operation. Since they become so well versed in this matter, an art therapist who works in a prison or correctional facility may actually be used in court by presenting their discoveries and recommendations as well as provide information to the investigative team. 

My father

My dad was incarcerated for a little while when I was younger, I asked him what he may have thought about having art therapy when he was in prison. He began by telling me that prison is absolutely the emptiest place ever. He proclaimed that those who have or had the opportunity to be somewhere with an arts program are extremely lucky because it is probably the most uplifting distraction from that world to be engulfed in the arts during those times. He said that the therapy side of it, like painting or creating things that are in your head like the dreadful thoughts that you endure, is probably the most helpful thing.

Discussion/Findings

I think art therapy in prison would be beneficial to all inmates but those with dark pasts, mental illnesses and drug problems could surely benefit the most. If we focus our time on the rehabilitation aspect on serving time, less and less people would end up coming back to prison, they would benefit society when they leave and would become an overall healthier person by exercising these creative abilities that everyone has within them. 

Art by Peter Echtemeyer

References

Gussak, D. (2014, September 16). Investigation and Intervention: Forensic Art Therapy. Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/art-trial/201409/investigation-and-intervention-forensic-art-therapy

Gussak, D. (2013, October 22). Art Behind Bars. Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/art-trial/201310/art-behind-bars

Schoenly, L. (2016, August 10). Art Therapy in the Prison Setting (podcast). Retrieved December 04, 2017, from https://correctionalnurse.net/a

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How Art Therapy Helps to Alleviate Anxiety

How Art Therapy Helps to Alleviate Anxiety

Julie Sugar

Professor Lisa Kay

Tyler School of Art, Temple University

Introduction:

Art has been a useful self-induced anxiety intervention for many people, myself included. I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and it has affected my life very profoundly for a very long time. I found out that I am not alone in my daily struggle with my anxiety disorder, “Fifteen percent of the American population is affected by a wide range of anxiety related disorders” (Chambala, Pg 1). I was curious as to what studies have been done correlating anxiety and art therapy, and how art has been proven to be a helpful intervention of anxiety.

What I wanted to find out:

I sought out to find out how art therapy could be used to alleviate feelings of anxiety through creative process and inherent mindfulness associated with the art-making process as a form of meditation in replacement for medication to cope with anxiety.

Research:

Through thorough research, I have found that art therapy is a successful intervention to the anxieties presented to everyday Americans, whether or not they are diagnosed with anxiety disorders or not, “the self-actualization and disclosure inherent to art making seem to be very helpful to persons with anxiety” (Chambala pg 1).

I focused on three specific studies:

1. A fifth grader struggled daily with “math anxiety” and used self-induced art therapy to help cope with her struggle with numbers. She personified her hate for math into a monster so that it was easier for her to dislike and also easier for her to create a dialogue around in her art. 

http://www.tandfonline.com.libproxy.temple.edu/doi/full/10.1080/00043125.2017.1335527?scroll=top&needAccess=true

2. A study done in an inpatient psychiatric clinic with patients who have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders. In this case, art therapy was used in tandem with cognitive-behavioral therapy, as a co-therapy approach was seen as more effective for patients with diagnosed anxiety disorders. This paper talked about how the realization of the patient’s anxieties existed and surfaced through the art-making process and provided them with a new way to express what was going on in their minds.

http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libproxy.temple.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=901937fc-21b3-40ec-bfc6-96d05b89f5e3%40sessionmgr101

3. The last study was done with 21 subfertile women taking an art therapy as a way to cope with their collateral anxieties that come along with being subfertile. The idea that is presented in the text is that a plausible factor of the subfertility of these women is the anxiety surrounding the idea of getting pregnant, and that is subconsciously inhibiting their ability to do so. The intervention of art therapy with these women was intended not only to alleviate the feelings of anxiety but also to create less of a sense of dis-ease and create a safer mental space for these women to experience and to provide a catalyst for the fertility of these women. There was no evidence to prove if this helped, but all but three of the women said they would continue to use art therapy in the future.

https://academic-oup-com.libproxy.temple.edu/humrep/article/26/3/611/2914335 (for both)

Discussion and Conclusion:

Art therapy is an effective holistic approach to help feelings of anxiety, whether it be diagnosed or just general anxiety from life. It is safe to say that art therapy could not do anything besides help anyone, as it stimulates parts of the brain that many people don’t utilize enough and provides a significant improvement in psychological resilience. Art therapy can also help as an intervention for anxious thoughts and general day-to-day anxieties but there is very little evidence yet to prove that it can specifically be used to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Sources:

Chambala, A. (2008). Anxiety and Art Therapy: Treatment in the Public Eye. Art Therapy, 25(4), 187-189. doi:10.1080/07421656.2008.10129540

Hughes, E. G., & Silva, A. M. (2011). A pilot study assessing art therapy as a mental health intervention for subfertile women. Human Reproduction, 26(3), 611-615. doi:10.1093/humrep/deq385

Kapitan, L. (2013). Art Therapys Sweet Spot Between Art, Anxiety, and the Flow Experience. Art Therapy, 30(2), 54-55. doi:10.1080/07421656.2013.789761

Rufo, D. (2017). Math Hater: How One Child Overcame Her Math Anxiety Through Self-Administered Art Therapy. Taylor & Francis Online, 70(5), 6-10. Retrieved November 20, 2017, from http://www.tandfonline.com.libproxy.temple.edu/doi/full/10.1080/00043125.2017.1335527?scroll=top&needAccess=true

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Art Therapy with Older Adults

Tina Sbarro

Introduction to Art Therapy 

Dr. Lisa Kay

Temple University, Philadelphia 

-artwork created by William Utermohlen

Introduction 

The field of art therapy working with older adults is something that I am very passionate about. My grandfather, whom I have been told countless times that I inherited his artistic gene, suffered many years from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As a child I would often engage in many different art-making activities with him. We would draw and color together and I would often spend hours watching him work in his woodshop. We continued to make art together up until his last couple of months before he passed away. I noticed, as well as my family and the nursing home aids, that these artistic activities had benefitted him in many ways along his struggle with this terrible disease. My grandfather has been one of the greatest influences on my artistic career and one of the main reasons why I chose the career path of art therapy. I truly believe that art has special healing powers that could help to improve the lives of those who suffer in any way shape or form. 

Thesis

Art therapy can increase the quality of life for those suffering and become a way of self-expression. Art therapy is an effective means of providing therapeutic care to older adults by providing the promotion of mental, emotional and physical healing, and a safe outlet for self-expression.

http://www.relevar.com/2017/07/art-therapy-benefits-for-seniors/

Physical Benefits 

Creates a distraction of coping mechanisms that shifts the focus from pain to the creative process.

type of physical therapy that works with the reduction of physical inflammation and stiffness that engages fingers, hands, arms and other muscles throughout the body.

Light, but consistent exercise promotes blood flow and movement that helps manage discomfort.

Effects on the Brain 

Engagement through regular higher cortical thinking, planning, focused attention, and problem solving during art making sessions enhances the therapeutic effect of helping clients with cognitive functioning difficulties.

Helps with the increase of neuroplasticity.

planning, decision-making, and expressive components help to produce new synapses 

Emotional and Mental Benefits 

Helping with coping and adapting to the frightening and incomprehensible environment.

Reducing boredom, increases socialization (group art therapy), increases self-esteem and personal accomplishment 

Increase a sense of dignity and control in this stage of their lives.

http://www.opalandsage.com/about

Conclusions 

Art therapy is an effective means in providing older adults therapeutic treatment that benefits patients emotionally, mentally, and physically. 

References 

Gussak, David & Cohen-Liebman. (2001). American Journal of Art Therapy. Retrieved from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0306624X06294137

Kim, H., Kim, K., & Nomura, S. (2015, December 14). The Effect of Group Art Therapy on Older Korean Adults with Neurocognitive Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedorect.com/science/article/pii/S019725561000933  

Malchiodi, C. (n.d.) Handbook of Art Therapy, Second Edition: 9781609189754. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=y6PY4hv47I0C&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=handbook+of+art+therapy+second+edition

Harlan, J. E. (1993). The therapeutic value of art for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Loss, Grief & Care, 6(4), 99-106.

[introarttherapy]

School Art Therapy

Vicky Duckworth

What is school art therapy?

According to American Art Therapy Association (AATA) (2011):

“School art therapy is a creative and engaging way to address inappropriate behaviors such as bullying; identifying an individual’s barriers to learning; increase student retention; support special needs students; enhance academic performance; provide gifted youth with a new skill; increase motor and sensory skills; and, excite kids’ learning experience.” 

What does it look like?

There is no clear definitive answer. I looked at a study to share to look at how they went about administering art therapy.

 Kostyunina and Drozdikova-Zaripova and Mandala Art Therapy

Their main focus was on correcting anxiety levels with adolescents through the use of Mandala Art. 

Before study

After Study and Mandala Art implemented

Who they are able to help?

I was able to find that they are able to help students with either an IEP or Section 504 Plan. I wasn’t able to find if they are able to help a student without one. They can provide a variety of information to the IEP team in order formulate a more well thought out and individualized plan for the student.

What if Art therapy was integrated with the American School Counselor National Model?

The ASCA’s standards focus on the providing and helping the students gain the “skills needed for school and work. The academic standards address student attitudes, preparation, social skills, and knowledge influencing a student’s life and work choices (ASCA, 2004).”

Sources 

Adolescents' School Anxiety Correction by Means of Mandala Art Therapy

by Kostyunina, Nadezhda Yu. ; Drozdikova - Zaripova, Albina R.

The Relationship of School Art Therapy and the American School Counselor National Model

by Randick, Nicole M. ; Dermer, Shannon B.

The Handbook Of School Art Therapy Introducing Art Therapy Into a School System

by Janet Bush

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Art Therapy & Adolescent Depression

Art Therapy Benefits for Adolescents who are Struggling with Depression.

Staci Mark

Lisa Kay

Temple University

 This topic is very important to me because I feel that as adolescents we have our whole lives ahead of us and that it is the time of our lives that we are really learning and developing. Many things, big or small, can easily impact us during this time as adolescents.  

I believe that art therapy can decrease the depression found in adolescents. 

https://paperpunk.com/blogs/paper-punk/art-therapy-and-paper-punk

Literature Review

Integrating effect of art and music therapy on Depression in adolescents.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce symptoms of depression in adolescents.

Pretest posttest - the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI).

Results showed that the depression decreased significantly, but couldn’t use art therapy as a standalone means to treatment.

Art Therapy with Adolescents/Using art therapy to address adolescent depression.

Offers a nonthreatening way for teens to express their inner feelings

more attracted to using art as language than to verbal questioning

With adolescents who are depressed, art therapy offers a unique way to communicate complex feelings in an active manner.

Controls Communication, Feels respected, Has an opportunity to feel in control, Externalizes problems.

“A 13-year-old boy draws the 2 sides he sees of his mother who battles alcoholism”

“shows how his parents “exploded” when he came home”

Art Therapy with Adolescents: Making it work for School Counselors

implicating art therapy in a school setting where most of the angst and depression could quite possibly be steaming from.

In behavioral art therapy, adolescents establish goals through their art and express more adaptive behaviors.”  

Art can easily be integrated into client-centered, behavioral, cognitive, and solution-focused theories.

Conclusions

Art therapy is a great approach for adolescents.

non-threatening

Adolescents cannot solely receive treatment through art therapy.

Different test should be done in comparison with those on anti-depressants and those without.

Art therapy could benefit adolescents in a school setting.

There are different ways to address art therapy while working with resistance in adolescents. 

References

Kahn, B. B. (1999). Art therapy with adolescents: Making it work for school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 2(4), 291.

Rahmani, M., Saeed, B. B., & Aghili, M. (2016). Integrating effect of art and music therapy on depression in adolescents. Journal Of Educational Sciences & Psychology, 6(2), 78-87.

Riley, S. (2001). Art Therapy with Adolescents. Western Journal of Medicine, 175(1), 54–57.

Riley, S. (2003). Using art therapy to address adolescent depression. Handbook of art therapy, 220-228.

[introarttherapy]

Forensic Art Therapy

Forensic Art Therapy

Jordan Bertok

Dr. Lisa Kay

Introduction to Art Therapy

Temple University, Philadelphia 

Forensic Art Therapy is a way of working with experiences that are difficult to understand or hard to assimilate. It is used in the endeavors of finding the truth and facts, as well as assists in resolving legal matters that are in dispute Forensic art therapists are familiar with legal tenets, case law and ethical standards of forensic practice. They may present findings and recommendations in court as well as provide information to the investigative team. Most forensic art therapists find themselves providing support for family, custody and child abuse cases.  

Thesis Statement:  Forensic Art Therapy would be a career I would like to move forward with if it actively participates with the accused, uses a number of art therapy techniques, and overall brings an aspect to a court case that no other profession can do.

Argument 1: I would like to spend time with my clients and get to know them

Research states...  Many times the forensic art therapist will be spending a majority of their time with the attorneys of the client, rather than the client themselves.

Argument 2:  I would like to us many art therapy techniques and mediums 

Research states...  The use of “free drawing” contributes to a child-friendly process and helps minimize secondary traumatization. Other types of therapists have used art materials such as paper dolls with a client in a legal case, but no forensic art therapist has been known to do anything similar. Drawing is the only form of art used in Forensic Art Therapy.

Argument 3:  Does Forensic Art Therapy offer a perspective in a court that no one else can?

Research states... Yes. 

1.) Art is a viable assessment tool that can ascertain mental health status at the time of both the crime and trial or hearing 

2.) Art can be used as a means to reveal and ascertain the truth of a defendant’s statements and information

3.) The display of art and the demonstration of artistic imagery can humanize a defendant

Conclusion:  Forensic Art Therapy is not a career I would like to move forward with because it does not allow the therapist to actively participate with the accused, does not use a number of art therapy techniques, and brings very little of a unique aspect to a court case. In honesty, I am very disappointed with the research I have discovered.  The social justice system seems to lack confidence in the application of art in this domain.

3 Keys Sources: 

Gussak, David & Cohen-Liebman. (2001). American Journal of Art Therapy. Retrieved from

           http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0306624X06294137

 Gussak, David. (2012). Art on Trial: Art Therapy in Capital Murder Cases. Retrieved from

           http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118306543.ch45/summary

Marcia Sue Cohen-Liebman. (2014.) Investigating and Intervention: Forensic Art Therapy.

           Retrived from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/art-trial/201409/investigation-          and-intervention-forensic-art-therapy

[introarttherapy]

Week 12

This week’s class started with some music therapy. Adenike Webb visited our class to teach us about her field. 

We started with a singing warm up. The class was hesitant at first, but Adenike was able to encourage us and make us feel comfortable enough to really go for it. We passed around a drum and had each student make their own beat.

We then sang Shake it Off by Taylor Swift. After we did that a couple times, Adenike had us rewrite the lyrics. She took out some of the words in the song and we had to pick new phrases. We then performed the song as a group. 

Next, Julie shared the last week’s blog post. 

After that, Professor Kay introduced to the idea of artist trading cards. We each made tiny pieces with any medium we wanted. These cards were to go to the cancer ward at a nearby hospital. 

We each went around the room and picked one card that we wanted to take with us. It was a fun way to share our artwork with each other and brighten a sick person’s day.

Here are some links regarding music therapy:

https://www.musictherapy.org/about/musictherapy/ (just some more general information)

https://mcmusicschool.org/music-therapy/music-therapy-success-christophers-story/ (this is a cute music therapy success story)

[introarttherapy]

Art Therapy and Schizophrenia

by Lillian Duran

Intro

I wanted to learn more about art therapy and its effects on schizophrenia. I was inspired by Bruce Moon’s recollections of when he worked in psychiatric hospitals. I could possibly work in that setting, so rather than focusing on a very broad group of people, I focused on learning about Schizophrenic patients.

              Thesis: I believe that art therapy has positive effects on schizophrenic individuals.

By Bryan Charnley

http://www.schizlife.com/the-world-of-bryan-charnley/

Art by Kate Fenner

https://www.instagram.com/awkwardapostrophe/?hl=en

viduals

Resources

MATISSE (Multicenter study of Art Therapy In Schizophrenia: Systematic Evaluation) trials

·        3 branches: art therapy with standard care, group activities with standard care, and standard care alone

·        Participants must have been 18 or over and diagnosed with schizophrenia

·        Art therapy sessions were 90 minutes weekly for roughly 12 months

·        This trial found that art therapy had no different effects on the patients than other forms of care.

The MATISSE trial-A critique: Does art therapy really have nothing to offer people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia? (Holttum & Huet)

·        Claimed that the MATISSE trial was not properly done.

·        Believed that the study would negatively affect schizophrenic patients in the long term (they would not receive the treatment they need).

·        Would negatively affect art therapists too.

·        Believe that arts therapies should still be offered to people despite MATISSE’s findings.

Morrow’s Case Report

·        Study of a 38-year-old man diagnosed with schizophrenia

·        He drew pentagram -ike symbols and claimed that they calmed him, though he had to make 10,000 within a certain amount of time.

·        He was then given art therapy and different prompts to respond to.

·        After completing prompts, he would ask for more, and he would ask how others viewed him.

·        He began taking care of his hygiene and changing his life, though still wary of others.

·        This case shows the positive effects art therapy can have on patients.

 Conclusion

              My findings were:

·        Art therapy has no effects on patients with schizophrenia

·        More research must be done on this subject

·        Art therapy has positive effects on patients with schizophrenia

(very contradicting information)

 I still think art therapy has positive effects on patients with schizophrenia, though more research must be conducted. I noticed a lot of the research is from before the 21st century. We need updated information. It was hard to find resources as well. More research needs to occur for more thorough answers.

By Louis Wain

http://www.schizlife.com/louis-wains-schizophrenic-cats/

 References:

http://ebmh.bmj.com/content/10/3/69

http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e846

from http://sgo.sagepub.com/ content4/2/2158244014532930

http://jdc.jefferson.edu/jeffjpsychiatry/vol3/iss1/10

[introarttherapy]

Week 13

We started class off with discussing our papers and presentations due next week. We discussed as a class that we are going to add them here on tumblr to avoid the extra time of trying to login and upload presentations. 

We then looked at Ethical considerations and discussed briefly some of the things on the handout like the recommendations for non-art therapists using art.

https://arttherapy.org/ethics/ 

 We then watched a 30 minute video called, Paint Me a Future. This video discussed art therapy is a setting like dealing with cancer. We met multiple different people who were battling cancer and were coping with art!!

One of the people we met was Hollis Sigler who wound up creating a body of work called, Breast Cancer Journal. She became a huge inspiration and help to those battling cancer and going through the same thing that she did. 

During the video we had the option to make some Artist trading cards. While some of us just watched the video, others opted to make art while watching the documentary. 

http://www.atcsforall.com

Then, we spread all of our mandalas out and reflected on the entire process of making them. 

We reflected on what mediums we choose to use and why, while also thinking about how we engaged in the process of making mandalas and what art art was telling us personally as far as symbols and visual language. 

Lastly, we installed the mandalas!  We decided on a half circle mandala design, that we all pitched in and helped to install. Starting with the littlest mandalas first radiating outward to the bigger ones!

And here is our Masterpiece!!!!!