Using Art Media in Psychotherapy ─ Bringing the Power of Creativity to Practice

Using Art Media in Psychotherapy makes a thoughtful and contextual argument for using graphic art materials in psychotherapy, providing historical context for art materials and their uses and incorporating them with contemporary practices and theories. Written with an analytic focus, many of the psychological references nod to Jung and post-Jungian thought with keen attention to image and to symbolic function. This book jettisons the idea of reductionist, cookbook approaches and instead provides an integrated and contextual understanding of the origins of each art form as well as an insightful use for each in its application in mental health healing practices.Using Art Media in Psychotherapy gives clinicians and students alike the tools they need to offer psychologically minded and clinically astute choices that honor their clients.

Michelle L. Dean, MA, is the cofounder of the Center for Psyche & the Arts (http://psychearts.org). She is a board-certified art therapist, a licensed professional counselor, and a certified group psychotherapist. In her clinical practice, she provides a warm and compassionate approach in which to explore and heal. She is also a clinical supervisor and an esteemed, nationally recognized educator and consultant. Her work has been recognized through many distinguished awards and several interviews in print, radio, and television.