Arts Therapies and The Mental Health of Children and Young People presents innovative research, theory and practice in the arts therapies. The different social, cultural and political contexts and developmental age groups illustrate and underscore the richness and diversity of contemporary arts therapies' creative response to the needs of children and young people in contrasting locations. The book represents an acknowledgement of the high rates of mental disorders in children and young people and addresses this subject. In presenting an array of responses from arts therapists working with children and young people in different contexts and countries, the book highlights the particular features of distinct art forms, yet also points to the potential dialogue between disciplines. Chapters show how the expressive potential and appeal of the arts, when facilitated within the therapeutic relationship, are crucial in fostering hope in the future and the capacity for trust in self and others. This book will be of great interest to arts therapists as well as academics and postgraduate students in the fields of arts therapies, social work, psychotherapy, health psychology, and education.

Arts Therapies and The Mental Health of Children and Young People presents innovative research, theory and practice in the arts therapies. The different social, cultural and political contexts and developmental age groups illustrate and underscore the richness and diversity of contemporary arts therapies' creative response to the needs of children and young people in contrasting locations. The book represents an acknowledgement of the high rates of mental disorders in children and young people and addresses this subject. In presenting an array of responses from arts therapists working with children and young people in different contexts and countries, the book highlights the particular features of distinct art forms, yet also points to the potential dialogue between disciplines. Chapters show how the expressive potential and appeal of the arts, when facilitated within the therapeutic relationship, are crucial in fostering hope in the future and the capacity for trust in self and others. This book will be of great interest to arts therapists as well as academics and postgraduate students in the fields of arts therapies, social work, psychotherapy, health psychology, and education.

Drama, Creativity and Intersubjectivity presents a new theoretical approach to dramatherapy. The book examines the key concepts of creativity and intersubjectivity in detail, through a comparison of their manifestations in children's life and the major scientific studies and developing research in the fields. Linking these concepts, Salvo Pitruzzella argues that 'identity' as a construct is now outmoded, and needs to be replaced with a more relational model. His ideas impact on dramatherapy theory, updating its basic tenets, and providing insight into how it practically works, with a focus on imagination as a major tool to support change. Drama, Creativity and Intersubjectivity will appeal to dramatherapists in training and practice, as well as other professionals in the field of arts therapies, plus those with a general interest in Creative Arts Therapies.

Introduction to Dramatherapy provides a theoretical framework for the practice of dramatherapy, and examines the relationship between the 'self' and the 'other'; the understanding of which, the author argues, is key to harnessing the full potential of dramatherapy as a healing medium.
In Part 1, the individual is introduced in terms of the dramatic metaphor, concentrating on the central issue of identity and the mediation between the internal and external worlds. In Part 2 the elements that make up dramatic reality, specifically play, narrative and role, are examined, and in the final part we witness the value of dramatherapy in practice in practice in a range of clinical settings.
This is not simply a 'how to do dramatherapy' book - it provides an essential foundation in the theory of the subject that will be of great interest to those studying or practicing dramatherapy.

Drama, Creativity and Intersubjectivity presents a new theoretical approach to dramatherapy. The book examines the key concepts of creativity and intersubjectivity in detail, through a comparison of their manifestations in children's life and the major scientific studies and developing research in the fields. Linking these concepts, Salvo Pitruzzella argues that 'identity' as a construct is now outmoded, and needs to be replaced with a more relational model. His ideas impact on dramatherapy theory, updating its basic tenets, and providing insight into how it practically works, with a focus on imagination as a major tool to support change. Drama, Creativity and Intersubjectivity will appeal to dramatherapists in training and practice, as well as other professionals in the field of arts therapies, plus those with a general interest in Creative Arts Therapies.

THE MYSTERIOUS GUEST

An enquiry on creativity from Arts Therapy's perspective.

What is creativity? How does it work? How can it help us to improve our lives?

The Mysterious Guest is a study of creativity, rooted in the ground of Arts Therapies.

It opens with a general definition of creativity, and then explores two main themes:

1. Its importance in the healthy development of individuals, therefore its value as a resource in therapeutic, educational and social fields;

2. A thorough analysis of the creative process, showing how it works and reflecting on the possibilities of activating, managing, and assessing it.

The discussion on creativity is enriched with discussions and examples ranging from neurosciences to psychoanalysis, from literature to the history of art, from philosophy to symbolism, from science to poetry. The results of the treatment are synthesized, at the end of the second and the fourth part, in two clear and coherent patterns, graphically visualized.

It is the first book on the creativity issue written from an Arts Therapies point of view; it offers a model of creativity that explores the complexity of the phenomenon, but at the same time it is a model that is easy to understand and rich of practical cues. It is a creatively written book in which scientific thought and poetry meet.