This course will offer an overview of Art Therapy, a new profession with ancient roots. Students will learn about the rapid development of the discipline in the 20th century, how it is similar to and different from related fields, as well as its use in both assessment and treatment. Work with people of all ages in a variety of settings, and with a range of issues, will be illustrated using slides and videotape, along with relevant readings.
Art activities for self-awareness and personal development will also be central, so that students can relate their own experiences with materials to what they are learning about art therapy. The power of the creative process to enhance the quality of everyone's life will thus come alive, both vicariously and through direct engagement.
As in art therapy itself, there will be intense involvement in doing, along with relaxed reflection on the creative experience. As in art therapy too, we will use both words--read, written, and spoken--and pictures--imagined, seen, and created. Such a multimodal approach to expression and understanding permits an integrated kind of learning which uses both intellect and affect, mind and heart, in the service of knowing and growing.
