Comics are perfect for working with young people. More than just sci-fi and superheroes, they can help young people to explore the issues affecting them and to express their own ideas. Introducing the comic participation model, this practical photocopiable resource explains why comics are so relatable and engaging for young people. It looks at the different applications of comics, from simple doodle games to communicate one-on-one, to panel comics that relay entire stories. Five sample comics created in collaboration with young people are included, covering issues such as mental health, sexuality, trauma and bullying. There is also a practical how-to guide in comic form for creating a comic on any subject regardless of artistic ability, and accompanying session plans and worksheets that can be adapted to suit the needs of any individual.

Drawing on the expertise of leading creative arts therapists from around the world, this book provides a comprehensive examination of the role of the creative arts in the treatment of clients with eating disorders (EDs). The book explores how art, dance and movement, drama, music, and poetry therapies have fostered insights, growth, and recovery for patients across ED diagnoses (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating disorder), and comorbid diagnoses. It illustrates how each creative arts modality is implemented in the ED treatment process and covers a variety of treatment levels (residential, inpatient, intensive outpatient and outpatient). Each chapter is enriched with case illustrations to provide a greater depth of understanding of how the methods are used in clinical practice. This book is an incomparable overview of the value and diverse uses of the creative arts in the treatment of EDs, and it will be of interest to all arts therapists, psychodrama therapists, family therapists, as well as students of these disciplines.

By creating a therapeutic outlet for self-expression and processing trauma, art therapy can play a powerful role in assisting people with a brain injury or neurological condition to adjust to living with altered abilities and ways of thinking. Bringing together a wealth of expertise from specialists working with a range of conditions including epilepsy, dementia, acquired brain injury, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, this book describes both the effects of the conditions and the ways in which art therapy has helped in the rehabilitation process. The book includes work with groups and individuals and with a wide range of settings and age groups, from children to older adults, and discusses the implications of research from neuroscience and neuropsychology. This will be essential reading for art therapists and students working with neurological conditions. Other professionals working with people with neurological conditions such as psychotherapists and counsellors, doctors, nurses and complementary therapists will also find it of interest.

Illustrated with rich case examples, this widely used practitioner resource and text presents a range of play approaches that facilitate healing in a shorter time frame. Leading play therapists from diverse theoretical orientations show how to tailor brief interventions to each child's needs. Individual, family, and group treatment models are described and clinical guidelines are provided. Chapters demonstrate ways to rapidly build alliances with children, adolescents, and their caregivers; plan treatment for frequently encountered clinical problems; and get the most out of play materials and techniques. New to This Edition *Incorporates the latest research and clinical developments. *Chapters on additional approaches: Theraplay, combined art and play therapy, Gestalt play therapy, animal-assisted play therapy, child-parent relationship therapy, Floortime, and more. *Chapters on additional clinical problems: grief, sexual behavior problems, and autism spectrum disorder.

This book explores how the work of key child development theorists informs music therapy practice with children and families. Focusing primarily on the theoretical thinking and understanding of the paediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott, Alison Levinge highlights how his theories resonate with the central aspects of music therapy. Central to the book are Winnicott's ideas on play and an exploration of his understanding of the psychological processes of 'holding'. Winnicott's theories are given greater depth and understanding by referencing the writings of Adam Phillips and Christopher Bollas. Consideration of relevant aspects of Bowlby's theories will also be included. Knowledge of these theories of child development helps to support understanding of the music therapy process, making this book vital reading for both students and practitioners of music therapy.

Laying out a new integrative approach to the treatment of depression, this book looks at the biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of clinical art therapy. Skov presents the theoretical foundation for a Jungian approach to art therapy and depression together with its clinical methodology and framework, outlining a procedure for working with people with mild to moderate depression. Integrative art therapy in clinical practice is introduced alongside case studies from the author's research and practice to show how transformative processes operate in the field between the conscious and the unconscious part of the psyche. Finally the author lays out her research methodology and discusses the possible implications of the integrative art therapy approach. This revolutionary approach, which places equal importance on both art therapy and psychology in the treatment of depression, will be a valuable resource for all art therapists and students working with clients and patients who suffer from depression. Psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors and other mental health professionals will also find it of interest.

Anna Halprin is a world-famous theatre artist and early pioneer in the expressive arts healing movement. This book explores her personal growth as a dancer and choreographer and the development of her therapeutic and pedagogical approach. The authors, who each trained with Halprin, introduce her creative work and the 'Life/Art Process (R)' she developed, an approach that takes life experiences as a source for artistic expression. They also examine the wider impact of Halprin's work on the fields of art, education, therapy and political action and discuss how she crossed the conventionally defined boundaries between them. Exploring Halprin's belief that dance can be a powerful force for transformation, healing, education, and making our lives whole, this book is a tribute to an exceptional body of artistic and therapeutic work and will be of interest to expressive arts therapists, dance movement psychotherapists, dancers, performance and community artists, and anyone with an interest in contemporary dance.

This book explores the exciting areas of overlap between psychodrama and other therapeutic schools and presents opportunities for their creative interaction and integration. Psychodramatists, to varying degrees, integrate the ideas and philosophies of other forms of psychotherapy into their clinical practice. Similarly, other therapists make use of the action methods of psychodrama. This edited volume contains contributions from a variety of dual-trained therapists qualified in psychodrama and trained in another therapeutic modality, including dramatherapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and more. Each chapter considers a different model of interaction and integration between therapeutic schools and explains how they can enhance and enrich a therapist's professional practice. In doing so, this book reveals an understanding of the core commonalities of the therapeutic process. With clinical case studies illustrating enhanced practice through creative interaction of the therapeutic schools, this book will be of interest to psychodramatists and all other therapists who integrate action techniques into their clinical practice.

Unpack my Heart with Words explores how literature can be used to help young victims cope with their experiences. The process of reading, discussing and rewriting carefully selected texts can have a significant therapeutic impact, as the young person identifies his or her own experience in the narrative. This book guides readers through all aspects of implementing biblio/narrative therapy with children and adolescents, from the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding the psychological needs of the child to providing more practical information on how to choose the right text and encourage expression through the spoken and written word. It includes exercises for use in sessions, an analysis of the importance of symbol when working therapeutically with children, and a complete account of the ethics of good practice. Drawing on the author's innovative work with young asylum seekers and refugees, and with an overview of the latest research in creativity, language and memory, the book provides a comprehensive and practical resource on the use of literature to help young victims regain their dignity and overcome the overwhelmed hurt self. This book will be of immeasurable value to students and practitioners world-wide in arts and health care who work with traumatised young people, including counsellors, clinical psychologists, educational psychologists, teachers, psychotherapists and social workers.

Evaluation is crucial to the development and sustainability of Arts Therapy and Arts & Health practices. This guide supports practitioners in their quest to integrate thorough evaluation procedures in their everyday practices by providing practical guidance for designing, planning and implementing bespoke evaluation projects. Based on the authors' experience of designing and realising evaluation projects and running training workshops, a range of suggestions are offered for developing appropriate timelines and collection tools, ensuring organisational diplomacy, and managing what can be a delicate balance of truth, fact and perception. This guide will help practitioners to evaluate their services and projects by taking into consideration the unique profile of the practice, the workplace, clients, project participants, and sectors.

This practical guide aims to inspire ethically-aware practitioners to become ethically-aware researchers, evaluators and participants. Conducting a research project, whatever the setting, requires not only knowledge of research methods but also an in-depth understanding of research ethics. Embedded in 'real life' experiences of research ethics applications, this guide navigates the reader through research ethics procedures, drawing from legislation and a range of research ethics committee regulations. Although the emphasis is on research, ethical considerations presented in this guide are equally relevant and applicable to other types of enquiry, including monitoring and evaluation projects. Whether leading a research project, being part of a research team or taking part as a research participant, this book is essential reading for all arts & health practitioners and arts therapists.

Creativity stimulates older adults both mentally and emotionally and has numerous cognitive and social benefits. Providing culturally-sensitive strategies for improving memory through creativity, this timely book outlines innovative techniques and gives essential insight into effective clinical work in a world with an increasing number of diverse older adults and incidences of Alzheimer's disease. Amanda Alders Pike clearly explains how to structure sessions and use artistic creativity to improve memory, mood and socialization. She covers everything from how to introduce art materials and techniques, to how to enhance cross-cultural interaction. Graphs, charts, and tables illustrate how artistic creativity can parallel cognitive training to provide optimal benefits to a wide audience of older adults, and accompanying online material is provided for use in sessions and workshops.

This book vividly shows how creative arts and play therapy can help children recover from experiences of disrupted or insecure attachment. Leading practitioners explore the impact of early relationship difficulties on children's emotions and behavior. Rich case material brings to life a range of therapeutic approaches that utilize art, music, movement, drama, creative writing, and play. The volume covers ways to address attachment issues with individuals of different ages, as well as their caregivers. Chapters clearly explain the various techniques and present applications for specific populations, including complex trauma survivors.

Nature Therapy is an innovative approach for working with children who have experienced stress or trauma. For the first time in the English language, this book presents the theory behind the approach along with detailed guidelines for introducing it to the classroom and other group settings The flexible 12-session programme pairs nature-based activities with storytelling and other expressive arts approaches. It is designed to strengthen coping and resilience in children who have been through common causes of stress such as the divorce of parents, moving home, the illness of a loved one or bullying. It can also be used in the aftermath of large-scale crises such as war, terrorism and natural disasters to prevent and treat post-traumatic stress disorder. An evocative colour storybook, 'The Guardians of the Forest', is also included for use within the programme. The original, evidence-based approach described in this book will be of interest to all those working therapeutically or creatively with children who have experienced stress or trauma, including teachers, arts therapists, psychologists and counsellors.

Music therapy can be a profound physical, emotional and spiritual support at the end of life. This book looks at a wide variety of cases, explaining how music therapy can be used effectively. It highlights particular components of working with this group, such as creating a therapeutic relationship, helping patients to reach final goals, working within cultural contexts and dealing with difficult emotions, all within the parameters of the musical experience. It also explores the unique needs of people with disabilities or mental illness, and how to support the families of the dying. Therapeutic and philosophical insights related to the dying process are included. This will be a supportive and insightful guide for anyone working with people who are at the end of life, especially music therapists and other complementary therapists, caregivers, hospice workers and medical professionals.

Psychodrama and other action methods are especially helpful in the treatment of the classic eating disorders as well as dieting struggles, body dissatisfaction and associated issues of fear, sadness, silence and shame. This book provides clinicians with sound theoretical information, practical treatment guidelines and a wealth of clinically-tested action structures and interventions. The authors describe how they have introduced action methods to work with a diverse range of clients, and suggest ways in which psychodrama practitioners, experiential therapists and others may integrate these methods into their practice. Offering fresh ideas for tailoring psychodramatic standards such as The Living Newspaper, Magic Shop and the Social Atom to eating disorder issues, they provide extensive examples of psychodrama interventions - classic and specially adapted for eating disorders - for both the experienced practitioner and those new to experiential therapies. They also explain how psychodrama can be used in combination with other expressive, holistic and complementary approaches, including family constellations, music, art, imagery, ritual, Five Element Acupuncture, yoga, Reiki and other energy work. This pioneering book is essential reading for practitioners and students of psychodrama, drama therapy, experiential psychotherapy, cognitive and expressive arts therapies and mental health professionals, as well as professionals interested in complementary health modalities.

This practical guide to running music therapy groups with senior citizens provides effective strategies that encourage therapists to be creative and engaging, and involve participants fully in the music-making process. Ideal for those working with older people in assisted living or nursing care homes, the book covers initial assessment, setting measurable goals, and evaluating progress; discusses current music therapy techniques; and offers an improved plan of intervention. The author explains how to choose or create music that is accessible to this age group, designing strategies that utilize cognitive, motor, social-emotional, and music skills to the fullest. The book provides useful original music and shows readers how to compose their own songs that relate to the experiences of the group they are working with, emphasizing shared common interests and enjoyment in the moment.

Mandalas are important therapeutic tools promoting focusing, wholeness and healing. This book introduces nearly two hundred different techniques for designing mandalas and adapts mandala creation for the purpose of eliciting thoughts, feelings and concerns about pertinent therapeutic issues such as depression, anxiety, relationships and goals. Therapists can use the many practical mandala exercises outlined within to enable a wide range of clients to enhance self-awareness and explore issues in a non-threatening way. Mandala design is presented in a variety of creative ways with different media, allowing the therapist the flexibility to gear sessions towards clients' specific needs and capabilities. This will be a valuable and unique addition to the therapist's library and will be of particular interest to art therapists, counsellors, psychologists and professionals looking for innovative therapeutic approaches that build on traditional practices.

On Becoming a Jungian Sandplay Therapist discusses the deep inner process of entering the sandplay profession and addresses important creative aspects of understanding and practising sandplay. It describes the current theory behind the approach and the roles of the therapist and the client, as well as exploring the healing potential of nature and the numinous in art and sandplay. It provides a detailed case study outlining the ten year sandplay process of an Israeli woman of North African origin, whose fear was transformed by creativity and emotional support. Later chapters look at symbols as containers of power, and discuss the use of individual sandplay in group sessions. Offering a unique creative and spiritual perspective of Jungian sandplay, this book will be an insightful resource for both novice and experienced sandplay therapists, as well as other therapists interested in sandplay training.

The didgeridoo, or yidaki, is one of the most ancient musical instruments on Earth. The Tzolkin Trilogy showcases the primal sound of the didgeridoo as it has never before been heard, in three original compositions, based on the Mayan calendar. This unique sound has been shaped and developed into a form that can act as a tool for healing and spiritual awakening. Using the Traditional Chinese Medicine principle that degeneration in the physical body is caused by imbalance and functional disharmony within the energy system, the sound vibrations work to connect with the human body's natural energy vibrations, in order to rebalance and restore their functional harmony and imbue the listener with a renewed sense of lightness and freedom. These soothing and pure sounds should be experienced by anyone interested in music as a therapeutic tool, and are especially effective for those suffering from emotional or mental stress, sleep problems and disorders of the nervous system, digestive organs or the heart.

Engaging groups in drama is a highly effective way to break down barriers and build resilient teams. This concise book of drama-based exercises will be an invaluable tool for practitioners looking to facilitate conflict transformation and is applicable to a wide range of contexts and client groups. The dramatic problem solving approach is a sequential process, from welcoming exercises and forming agreements, to analysing the root problems and building on trust, culminating in the creation of a piece of drama. Each stage is accompanied by activities and illustrated with examples from the author's extensive experience. This book will be an innovative resource for any professionals involved in groupwork including youthworkers, teachers, social workers, arts and family therapists, group psychotherapists, psychologists, school counsellors and community leaders.

As art therapy rapidly makes its mark across Asia, this book documents how the field of art therapy is taking shape as both a profession and a discipline in this region. It looks at how art therapists in Asia are assimilating Western models and adapting them to create unique home-grown practices. Building on theory, research and practice that has been developed in the West, practitioners throughout Asia are creating innovative art therapy programs that reflect cultural diversity and draw on ideas from Chinese medicine and Eastern philosophy, spirituality and art traditions. With chapters from leading art therapists and community artists in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, China, India, The Philippines and Singapore, this book pulls together thought-provoking perspectives and effective approaches from which East and West can both learn. The first of its kind, this book will be an informative and inspiring addition to the bookshelves of all art therapy professionals and students, as well as anyone with an interest in Eastern cultures and cross-cultural working.

Using drama in the classroom is an effective way of supporting a child's social and emotional development. This book offers a wide variety of drama activities designed to provide children with a creative outlet to overcome emotional and behavioural problems. Exploring the various challenges children can face at home such as parental separation, divorce and bereavement, this book explains how they can manifest in a child's behaviour at school. It describes how drama can provide appropriate avenues for confronting and dealing with these issues and suggests a wealth of captivating and practical drama-based games and exercises that will support the child's needs and promote growth. This clear and accessible book will be an invaluable resource for teachers, teaching assistants, youth and social workers, counsellors, arts therapists and educational psychologists.

A collaborative therapeutic approach often proves the best way to assess and meet the needs of children experiencing barriers to learning. This book gives a concise overview of drama and family therapy and describes how both therapies can work together to provide essential pieces of the jigsaw of emotional support for troubled children within an educational setting. Drawing on their own extensive experience, the authors give explanations of the models and techniques of their own specialist therapy, before exploring their joint work and innovative inclusion in a cooperative team of multi-disciplinary professionals. The book discusses the principles and protocols of a Multi Agency Support Team and looks at how the pieces come together in practice. Case studies are provided to illustrate the successful outcomes of this way of working, as well as the challenges it can present. This book will be vital reading for all professionals working alongside children, families and schools, who are interested in addressing the needs of the child on a deeper and more sustainable level.

Providing people with dementia with opportunities to engage in creative activity can play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing communication, and in reinforcing personhood and identity. This thoughtful book describes how people with dementia, and the people who work with and care for them, can foster and develop a creative approach, and provides rich and varied ideas for creative activities. The authors explore the concept of creativity - what exactly it is, its particular relevance for people with dementia and how to get into the creative 'flow'. They introduce a range of creative art forms, including poetry and story-telling, collage, drama, music-making, photography, textiles and working with wood and metal, and suggest possibilities for employing them in a range of settings, and with people of all abilities. Consideration is given to the practicalities of facilitating such creative work, including how to organise and run sessions, how to involve people with dementia and their carers, and how to reflect upon the experience. Practice examples are included throughout the book, as well as the comments and observations of people with dementia, and many examples of the artwork and poetry the authors have created with people with dementia over the years. Brimming with ideas, suggestions and helpful guidance, this is an essential resource for all those who work with people with dementia, and an inspiring read for people with dementia and their families.