This book explores the relevance of literature and the performing and visual arts for effective clinical psychotherapy. There is a growing interest in the use of the arts in psychotherapy, in part due to an increasing awareness of the limitations in verbal communication and scepticism towards traditional forms of medical treatment. Gathering together perspectives from international practitioners this volume embraces the value of a range of mediums to psychotherapy, from film and photo-therapy to literature and narrative therapy. Based on theoretical studies, clinical expertise and experiential learning, authors offer detailed guidelines on the value of various art forms in practice.

The Performing Art of Therapy explores the myriad ways in which acting techniques can enhance the craft of psychotherapy. The book shows how, by understanding therapy as a performing art, clinicians can supplement their theoretical approach with techniques that fine-tune the ways their bodies, voices, and imaginations engage with and influence their clients. Broken up into accessible chapters focused on specific attributes of performance, and including an appendix of step-by-step exercises for practitioners, this is an essential guidebook for therapists looking to integrate their theoretical training into who they are as individuals, find joy in their work, expand their empathy, increase self-care, and inspire clients to perform their own lives.

The book is a stimulating and inspiring collection which explores the often contentious themes of race, racism and culture in relation to the experience of art therapy, in a constructive way. Contributors examine the impact of racial perceptions in their own experience, their clients' lives, and on the interaction of therapist and client.

This book is a new addition to the art therapy literature setting out an integrative approach to using theory and the arts, which places clients at the centre of practice and supports collaboration across the therapeutic journey. The structural framework described enables different theories, contemporary research, and best-practice guidelines to be used to inform therapy, allowing the practitioner to work fluidly and rigorously in response to their clients’ changing needs and therapeutic aims. Integrative arts psychotherapy brings therapeutic practice to life, as the use of the visual arts is enhanced by the possibilities offered for developing and deepening therapeutic work using sculpture/clay, drama/puppetry, poetry, sand play, music, and bodywork/movement. The work described in this book has grown from a British and European art therapy culture, community, and history – influenced by prominent American theorists. The book has been written for trainers, trainees, and practitioners of creative arts therapies, psychotherapy, and expressive arts therapies – nationally and worldwide. It may also be of interest to other professionals, or those in consultation with an art therapist, who want to understand what this type of art therapy can offer.

Drawing on new paradigms and evidence-based discoveries in neuroscience, narrative psychology, and creativity theory, this text explores the beneficial role of expressive arts within a recovery perspective. A framework of practice principles for the visual arts, creative writing, music, drama, dance, and digital storytelling is addressed across a number of settings and populations, providing readers with an accessible overview of techniques taught in counseling programs in the U.S. and abroad.

This authoritative and comprehensive volume explains how to integrate movement, sound, art, play, imagery, drama, and other multisensory practices into psychotherapy. Cathy A. Malchiodi and other leading experts demonstrate ways to combine a wide range of expressive approaches to help clients explore feelings and thoughts that are often difficult to access verbally. Rich case examples illustrate what these modalities look like in action, providing readers with strategies they can readily apply in work with individuals of all ages. The book interweaves theory and research with practical recommendations for implementing expressive arts therapy to enhance communication and to support regulation, attachment, trauma recovery, and sensory integration.

"This book is a personal, political and philosophical exploration of doing both therapy and research: an enquiry into how the process of therapy shapes the therapist as well as the client, and how the researcher is shaped by her research. A guiding theme i"

This book shows "how to think about doing" art therapy, rather than "how to do" art therapy. It presents the general "understandings" necessary for effective art therapy for any age level, in any setting, and in any modality. An excellent text.

This collection reflects on the theory and application of expressive arts today in therapy, education, research and social and ecological change. Bringing the understanding of expressive arts into its contemporary theoretical framework, the book reveals the expansion of the field from its initial focus on therapy alone into a diverse range of other areas of interest to therapists, educators, researchers and those interested in working for social and ecological change. The book also contains a selection of discursive writing, poetry and visual art, highlighting the importance of keeping artistic creativity at the heart of the field. With contributions from pioneering arts therapists, this will be vital reading for arts therapists and students in the field today.