Art Therapy and Social Action is an exciting and innovative exploration of how human service professionals can incorporate the techniques and approaches of art therapy in their work to address social problems, and examines the expanding role of art practitioner as social activist. Leading art therapists and other human service professionals show how creative methods can be used effectively to resolve conflicts, manage aggression, heal trauma and build communities. The contributors provide examples of innovative programs on a range of topics, including those designed to address gun crime, homelessness, racism and experiences of terrorism. This timely book provides new techniques and successful models for art therapists, counselors and mental health practitioners working directly with the challenges of modern society.

Art therapy enables the client and therapist to explore issues that may ordinarily be difficult to articulate in words; one such issue is the complexity of gender, which can be a subject of therapy in a range of ways. Gender identity is at the heart of our self-understanding. The contributors to this book cover such topics as internalised homophobia in both therapist and client, art and pregnancy, art therapy with women only and men-only groups, feminist art therapy, gay and lesbian issues, and gender stereotypes. These wide-ranging papers cover both theoretical and practical topics, giving clinical examples and instances of clients' artwork in illustration. The contributors, all established art therapists, bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the topic of gender in art therapy. Professionals and students in this field will find the insights contained in this book both fascinating and valuable.