Counselling, therapy, and coaching always work with the use of language. With art-oriented approaches, the limitations of language can be overcome. One of the most important works of expressive arts therapy, Loesungskunst is now available in English translation. The key concept of intermodality- the authors' term for oscillation between art-analog methods- combines with the primary focus on resources and strong emphasis on solutions to lay the groundwork for the method that is as vital now as it was originally. The importance of imagination, artistic and aesthetic experience to mental wellbeing is showcased, challenging the common focus on the cognitive and emotional facets of mental health. In-depth case studies and explanations illuminate the origins and use of the theoretical frameworks, helping experienced practitioners and trainees alike to engage with the fundamental methods and concepts of expressive arts therapy.

Challenging traditional therapeutic approaches to the arts in which art is often secondary to a psychological model, Principles and Practice of Expressive Arts Therapy provides a coherent theoretical framework for an expressive arts therapy practice that places the process of art-making and the art work itself at the center. This book lays the philosophical foundation for a fresh interpretation of art-making and the therapeutic process by re-examining the concept of poiesis. The authors clarify the methodology and theory of practice with a focus on intermodal therapy, crystallization theory and polyaesthetics, and give guidance on the didactics of acquiring practical skills. Case studies of clinical practice and guidance on supervision and training in intermodal expressive arts therapy complement the theoretical chapters. Combining philosophy, theory and practice, this book is an essential text for students and academics in the field and for practicing expressive and specialized arts therapists.

Expressive arts therapy is introduced in this exploration of the basic principles and foundations in using the arts in psychotherapy. A discussion of polyaesthetics, crystallization, intermodal theory, and the roles of expression and catharsis provide a theoretical foundation for understanding this creative approach to therapy. Asking the question "What happens when a client's art-making is received by the therapist?, the special considerations in the practice of expressive arts therapy are summarized, including relationship as art, play, structure and framing, low-skill and high-sensitivity work, and the phenomenon of the surprising experience that comes when a therapist and client work in a creative space together. This is a fundamental resource for all who consider the use of the arts in therapy.

What are the basic attitudes, values, and practices that are essential for effective work with the expressive arts? This book explores the answer to that question. The authors examine in depth the concepts of 'presence' - a way of 'being' - and 'process' - an open and trusting way of working - in the professional helping relationship and in the making of art. They introduce readers to the premise of the 'uniqueness of persons' that underpins these ideas, and look at how to realize them in practice. Diverse experiences are also shared of using the arts in group and individual work in a variety of settings, from team building and education to counseling, psychotherapy and supervision. This book is a comprehensive, foundational guide for all practitioners who use the expressive arts as a way of facilitating learning, growth, healing, and change, including expressive arts therapists and students, counsellors, coaches, and other helping professionals. With its clear structure and straight forward style, the book is appropriate also for beginners in these professional fields.

PETER PETERSEN Kunsttherapeutische Forschung ist Brachland, jedenfalls im Ver gleich zur psychotherapeutischen und zur medizinischen Forschung. Das mag verstandlich sein aus der Tatsache, daB Kunsttherapien im strengeren Sinn sich erst im Laufe dieses lahrhunderts entwickelt ha ben. ledoch trifft diese neuerliche Entwicklung auch fiir die moder nen Formen von Psychotherapie zu. Dagegen haben Psycho thera pien ihren festen Platz als Forschungsdisziplin gefunden. DaB Psy chotherapien inzwischen etablierte Forschungsdisziplinen geworden sind, diirfte auch aus ihren differenzierten Begriffsbildungen erkenn barsein. Eine Fachsprache, die zudem allgemeinverstandlich ist, haben die Kunsttherapien bisher jedoch kaum entwickelt; daher ist dieses Buch auch aus dem Bemiihen entstanden, Ansatze fiir eine solche "allge meine Bergriffssprache" zu entwickeln. Begriffe werden dabei jedoch weniger im Sinne strenger Definitionen gebraucht als im Sinne einer tastenden Beschreibung - nicht so sehr die Definition im nominalisti schen Sinn ist Anliegen der Verfasser, sondem mehr die Phiinomen beschreibung im realistischen Sinn. In meiner mehr als 30jahrigen Bekanntschaft mit sehr verschiede nen kunsttherapeutischen Schulen machte ich eine interessante Er fahrung: Beim oberflachlichen Kennenlemen dieser Schulen scheint es uniiberbriickbare Unterschiede zu geben - zunachst in Technik und Methode, noch mehr aber in der technischen Bergriffsbildung; dies erweckt den Eindruck einer babylonischen Sprachenverwirrung. Trotz der manchmal bizarren, ins Ideologische gehenden Sprachab grenzung von kunsttherapeutischen Schulen gegeneinander habe ich aber die Erfahrung gemacht: Eine gemeinsame Sprache tritt dann zu tage, wenn man nicht auf die verbalen Verwirrspiele achtet, sondem darauf, was sich in der therapeutischen Aktion tatsachlich vollzieht."

The field of expressive arts is closely tied to the work of therapeutic change. As well as being beneficial for the individual or small group, expressive arts therapy has the potential for a much wider impact, to inspire social action and bring about social change. The book's contributors explore the transformative power of the arts therapies in areas stricken by conflict, political unrest, poverty or natural disaster and discuss how and why expressive arts works. They look at the ways it can be used to engage community consciousness and improve social conditions whilst taking into account the issues that arise within different contexts and populations. Leading expressive arts therapy practitioners give inspiring accounts of their work, from using poetry as a tool in trauma intervention with Iraqi survivors of war and torture, to setting up storytelling workshops to aid the integration of Ethiopian Jewish immigrants in Israel. Offering visionary perspectives on the role of the arts in inspiring change at the community or social level, this is essential reading for students and practitioners of creative and expressive arts therapies, as well as psychotherapists, counsellors, artists and others working to effect social change.

Supervisors who wish to employ a more imaginative approach to their work will find concepts such as 'aesthetic distancing' and techniques derived from dramatherapy - the use of myths and stories, dramatic play and roles - particularly useful. Supervision and Dramatherapy explores the ways in which dramatherapy techniques and concepts can be applied to supervision, and looks at how supervisions are conducted within the field of dramatherapy. The contributors, leading dramatherapists from Britain, Continental Europe, the United States and Israel, have written on the historical background of supervion in dramatherapy, the process of dramatherapy supervision, the training of supervisor-dramatherapists, taking a dramatherapy approach to business supervisions, the supervision of crisis intervention teams and dramatherapy research. They offer insights into the relationships between supervisor, supervisee and client, and the dramatic roles that unfold during the supervision process. Drawing on their own experiences in clinical and non-clinical settings, and richly illustrating their accounts with examples from practice, they offer exciting and creative ways of effectively supervising dramatherapists and non-dramatherapists alike.