I describe an approach to art therapy treatment for survivors of traumatic brain injury developed at a rehabilitation facility for adults that serves inpatient, outpatient, and long-term residential clients. This approach is based on a review of the literature on traumatic brain injury, comprehensive neurorehabilitation, brain plasticity, and art…

The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) surveys its members biennially to gather information on general demographics, employment-related characteristics, licensing, and professional affiliations. The surveys are used in the development of national media opportunities and public policy initiatives to help increase recognition for the field of…

The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) surveys its members biennially to obtain a general profile of current members that includes basic demographics and client populations served by member art therapists, as well as licensure and professional activities. The results of the 2009 survey presented in this report suggest that, overall, the work…

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…

Briefly discusses how art therapists can best serve Native American populations. Sees contemporary Native Americans as product of both dominant culture and indigenous culture. Identifies ethical and professional issues that should be addressed with Native American clients. Highlights traditional healing, ethical and professional considerations,…

Sees art therapy as well-suited to needs of grieving women. Presents information on perinatal death and usefulness of group art therapy as intervention within framework of new psychology of women. Client art expressions illustrate how women have used art therapy to work through their grief and move toward deeper sense of personal empowerment and…

Examined possible existence of structural and content elements in Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) significant to eating-disordered population. Findings from 81 women with eating-disorders revealed that profile of eating disordered subjects did not vary from control group profile except for groundline and falling apart trees. (Author/NB)

Traces history of protruding tongue from ancient times to present in attempt to explain tongue's appearance in drawings of children who have been sexually abused. Includes informal study of tongue symbol in art expressions of children who have experienced sexual molestation. (Author/NB)

Summarizes a case study that examines how art assists in the healing process of a person suffering from a life-threatening illness. Takes a qualitative approach to illustrate the participant's engagement with art in self-healing. Demonstrates how art can illuminate insights that emerge from the experiences of a critical illness, and how it can…

Notes that dual identity of artist and therapist can be particularly problematic for art therapist and that transference and countertransference issues are complicated by these roles. Presents theoretical review and case study in which adolescent client was motivated, prolific, talented, and dramatically improving behaviorally as result of art…

Reflects ability of eating-disordered patient to articulate her struggle with her illness and journey back to health. Record of client's personal journey is followed by postscript written by her therapist. Article is illustrated with some of client's drawings produced during therapeutic process. (NB)

Notes that psychotherapists and art therapists working with children identified as having been sexually abused have noticed certain graphic indicators seemingly peculiar to artwork of these children. Sees use of art therapy in treatment of sexually abused children as well substantiated. Reviews studies examining characteristics that appear more…

Notes that, when used to treat patients diagnosed with multiple personality disorder, art therapy aids in translating unspeakable memories into visual format. Discusses "stepping in," drawing process that may promote "cross-alter associations" to imagery drawn by other personalities. Addresses recovery of traumatic material…

Presents some guidelines for art activities that teachers can use to help their students work through their feelings following a natural disaster. Includes some personal observations of art expressions created after a tornado struck. Explains how art produced by students in response to catastrophe seemed to fall into three major categories:…