Behavioral Health Issues
and Therapies:
Stayin’ Alive with Art Therapy
Kaiser Permanente Symposium
September 22, 2010
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
Outline
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History of art therapy
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Art Therapy Theory
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Art as therapy vs. art in therapy
Media & directives
Impact and benefits
Art Therapy Practice
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Beginnings
Development of a profession
Addressing specific populations
Goal and interventions
Conclusion
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Resources
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
A brief history of Art
Therapy
 What is art therapy & what is it not
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Who is an art therapist?
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ATR / ATR-BC / licensed MFTs / LCSWs
Where it all started & where we are now
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A profession is born – 1940s
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Development of art based assessment
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
Artistic Development: Lowenfeld’s Stages
Scribble (14m-2y)
Preschematic (3/4-6)
Schematic (7-9)
Dawning Realism (aka gang stage) (9-11)
Psuedorealism
(11-13)
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
Period of
Decision (14-16)
Media
Structured
Loose
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
Listening with your Eyes
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Look at process & product
Look for metaphor
Look for self symbols
Look for the unexpected
Look for the “subtext”
Look for a narrative
Look at art elements
Look for your gut reaction
Look at use & type of media
Look for personal & cultural associations
Look for changes over time
Look for developmental level
Look for warning signs
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
Art as therapy / Art in therapy . . .
Impact and benefits
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master manipulators of language
different learning styles
left vs. right brain focus
indirect vs. direct experience
intensity of relationship
just not having the words
cognitive level
capacity for insight
talk “resistant”
language delays
window in unconscious / preverbal /emotional
brain
window in neurological functioning
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
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“Clients perceived that they had experienced a significant decrease in denial of their addiction
during treatment and rated collage making . . . as important to their First Step work”
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“Art therapy appeared to promote more cooperative behavior [in children with leukemia during
painful interventions]”
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Orton, M. (1994). A case study of an adolescent mother grieving the death of her child due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. American Journal of Art Therapy,
33(2), 37-44).
“Following the intervention, the participating group showed significantly improved measures
of self-esteem, and reduced depression and anxiety at posttest”
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Anschel, D.J., Dolce, S., Schwartzman, A.,& Fisher, R.S. (2005). A blinded pilot study of artwork in a comprehensive epilepsy center population. Epilepsy
&Behavior Journal, 6(2), 196-202.
“The Grief Scale showed improvement in areas of sadness, guilt, humor, and hopefulness”
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Gabriel, B., Bromberg, E., Vandenbovenkamp, J., Walka, P., Kornblith, A., & Luzzatto, P. (2001). Art therapy with adult bone marrow transplant patients in
isolation: A pilot study. Journal of Psycho-Oncology, 10(2), 114-123.
“The Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale task showed significant effects in patients with
epileptic seizures . . . and provides a basis for the future development of diagnostic tests to be
used within this patient group”
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Favara-Scacco, D., Smirne, G., Schiliro, G., & Di Cataldo, A. (2001). Art therapy as support for children with leukemia during painful procedures. Medical
Pediatric Oncology, 36 (4), 478-480.
“The non-verbal metaphorical modality of art therapy may be especially beneficial for patients
who need to deal with emotional conflicts, and with feelings about life and death, in a safe
setting”
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Julliard, K. (1995). Increasing chemically dependent patients’ belief in Step One through expressive therapy. American Journal of Art Therapy, 33(4), 110-119.
Doric-Henry, L. (1997). Pottery as art therapy with elderly nursing home residents. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association,
14(3), 163-171.
“Mothers reported higher levels of self-esteem and a more positive self-image following
treatment”
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Ponteri, A., K. (2001). The effect of group art therapy on depressed mothers and their children. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association,
18(3), 148-157.
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
Populations
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Abuse
ADHD
Asperger’s / Autism
Aging, Elderly, Geriatric
Caretakers
Chemical Dependency /
Substance Abuse
Grief / Bereavement
Learning disabilities
Medical
Mentally Retarded /
Developmentally Delayed
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Normal & Outpatient
Phase of life / transitions
Pre and Postnatal
Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder & Trauma
Prison / Incarceration
Psychiatric
Relationship Issues
School / Academic
Traumatic Brain Injury
You, me, them, and us . . .
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
What is your goal?
“Using their skills in evaluation and psychotherapy, art therapists choose materials and interventions
appropriate to their clients’ needs and design sessions to achieve therapeutic goals and objectives.”
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Assessing developmental level,
progress, insight, etc.
Attunement with self / others
Building Mastery
Catharsis
Clarifying/teaching feelings
Commemorating / Remembering
Creating new narratives
Describing experience
Distraction
Experimenting with new behaviors
Expressing impulses safely
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Facilitating identity development
Generating alternatives
Gratification delay
Improving self-observation
Increasing attention & frustration
tolerance
Pain assessment / Pain relief
Supporting creative strengths /
characteristics
Taking risks
Teaching stress relieving tools
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010
Online Art Therapy Resources
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www.arttherapy.org
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www.atcb.org
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www.SoCalArtTherapy.org
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC
September 2010