Behavioral Health

Issues
and Therapies:
Stayin Alive with Art
Therapy
Kaiser Permanente Symposium
September
22, 2010
copyright- Erica Curtis MFT, ATR-BC S
eptember 2010

Outline

History of art therapy

Art Therapy Theory

Art as therapy vs. art in

therapy
Media & directives
Impact and benefits

Art Therapy Practice

Beginnings
Development of a
profession

Addressing specific
populations
Goal and interventions

Conclusion

Resources

copyright- Erica Curtis

A brief history of Art

Therapy
What is art therapy & what is it not

Who is an art therapist?

ATR / ATR-BC / licensed MFTs / LCSWs

Where it all started & where we are

now

A profession is born 1940s

Development of art based assessment

copyright- Erica Curtis

Artistic Development:
Lowenfelds Stages

Scribble (14m-2y)

Preschematic (3/4-6)

Schematic (7-9)

Dawning Realism (aka gang stage) (9-11)

Psuedorealism
(11-13)
copyright- Erica Curtis

Period of
Decision (14-16)

Media

Structured

Loose

copyright- Erica Curtis

Listening with your Eyes

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

Art as therapy / Art in

therapy . . .
Impact
and
benefits
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

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

Art therapy appeared to promote more cooperative behavior [in children with
leukemia during painful interventions]

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),
33(2), 37-44).

Following the intervention, the participating group showed significantly improved

measures of self-esteem, and reduced depression and anxiety at posttest

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),
6(2), 196-202.

The Grief Scale showed improvement in areas of sadness, guilt, humor, and
hopefulness

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),
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

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

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),
14(3), 163-171.

Mothers reported higher levels of self-esteem and a more positive self-image

following treatment

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),
18(3), 148-157.

copyright- Erica Curtis

Populations

Abuse
ADHD
Aspergers / Autism
Aging, Elderly,
Geriatric
Caretakers
Chemical Dependency /
Substance Abuse
Grief / Bereavement
Learning disabilities
Medical
Mentally Retarded /
Developmentally
Delayed

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

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.

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

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

Online Art Therapy

Resources

www.arttherapy.org

www.atcb.org

www.SoCalArtTherapy.org
copyright- Erica Curtis