This book explores how 'the hostile environment' of neoliberalism affects art therapy in Britain. It shows how ambiguity in art and in psychoanalytically understood relationships can enable art psychotherapy groups to engage with class dynamics and aspire to democracy. The book argues that art therapy needs to become a political practice if it is to resist collusion with a system that marginalises collectivity and holds individuals responsible for both their suffering and their recovery. It provides accounts of the contradictions that are thrown up by neoliberalism in art therapists' workplaces as well as accounts of art therapy groups with those affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower, in an acute ward, a women's prison, a community art studio and in a refugee camp. Written by art psychotherapists for arts therapists and other mental health workers, the book will bring political awareness and consideration of resistance into all art therapy relationships, whatever the context and client group.

This book explores how 'the hostile environment' of neoliberalism affects art therapy in Britain. It shows how ambiguity in art and in psychoanalytically understood relationships can enable art psychotherapy groups to engage with class dynamics and aspire to democracy. The book argues that art therapy needs to become a political practice if it is to resist collusion with a system that marginalises collectivity and holds individuals responsible for both their suffering and their recovery. It provides accounts of the contradictions that are thrown up by neoliberalism in art therapists' workplaces as well as accounts of art therapy groups with those affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower, in an acute ward, a women's prison, a community art studio and in a refugee camp. Written by art psychotherapists for arts therapists and other mental health workers, the book will bring political awareness and consideration of resistance into all art therapy relationships, whatever the context and client group.

A growing number of art therapists are also trained in group analytic psychotherapy. This book explores the new theories and models for practice arising from the merging of these two disciplines.
Contributors ask whether a model can be applied universally to art therapy group work with diverse client groups. They present in-depth case studies looking at work with the following:-
* children
* drug and alcohol abusers
* forensic patients
* patients on acute psychiatric wards
* the cognitively-impaired elderly
* institutionalised patients moving into the community
A common theme which emerges is that the physical use of art materials and the space of the art room offer a possibility for communication of feelings which is not possible in purely verbal groups. This allows clients who would not normally be considered for group therapy to benefit from a psychodynamic group process.

A growing number of art therapists are also trained in group analytic psychotherapy. This book explores the new theories and models for practice arising from the merging of these two disciplines.
Contributors ask whether a model can be applied universally to art therapy group work with diverse client groups. They present in-depth case studies looking at work with the following:-
* children
* drug and alcohol abusers
* forensic patients
* patients on acute psychiatric wards
* the cognitively-impaired elderly
* institutionalised patients moving into the community
A common theme which emerges is that the physical use of art materials and the space of the art room offer a possibility for communication of feelings which is not possible in purely verbal groups. This allows clients who would not normally be considered for group therapy to benefit from a psychodynamic group process.

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