Description
Book SynopsisAs the emotional components of physical illnesses become more recognised, there is a renewed interest in the potential of art therapy to help patients come to terms with injury, pain and terminal and life-long conditions.
A wide range of experienced art therapists describe their work and its benefits to a variety of groups including those with cancer, debilitating conditions such as myalgic encephalopathy (M.E.) and ulcerative colitis. Physical conditions in combination with other factors such as homelessness or learning disabilities, and children with life-long and chronic conditions are also covered. The book includes discussion of spiritual and philosophical issues when mortality is faced, life change and adjustment issues, practical considerations and which models of practice art therapists find most helpful with various groups.
This will be essential reading for arts therapists and students, as well as for professionals with an interest in psychological issues and wellbeing for patients with physical illness or long term conditions, such as psychotherapists and counsellors, complementary therapists, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Trade ReviewA very broad ranging discussion of the subject and, as promised in the preface, going far beyond the known areas that art therapy is usually associated with. -- Hilary Curwen, Retired Art Psychotherapist
In
The Illness Narratives the thoughtful American medic Arthur Kleinman wrote: 'Acting like a sponge illness soaks up personal and social significance from the world of the sick person' (1988:31). It is often in response to such experiences that the work of art therapy can be understood. This book is valuable in the way it gives voice to people with physical conditions who make art and meet with art therapists. Many different approaches to art therapy are described and offered as a way of contributing to the recovery of a person's energy and sense of significance. -- Chris Wood, author of Navigating Art Therapy, team leader of Art Therapy Courses Northern Programme UK and Honorary Research Fellow with the University of Sheffield
This book is not only extremely timely; it is also very well written, edited, and full of vivid illustrations. I am truly delighted to be able to recommend it to art therapists on both sides of the pond. Interest in this area is growing rapidly, as our recognition of the intimate relationship between psyche and soma is at last leading to the provision of creative avenues of expression for those living through bodily traumas over which they have little control, but with which they must cope. -- Judith A. Rubin, PhD, licensed psychologist, psychoanalyst, art therapist, author, faculty member of Psychiatry Department of the University of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center
This book opens the door on the inspiring lives of people with physical conditions in the success driven 'able-bodied' world.
It charts powerful and profound stories of people's pain and resilience and of how art therapy again and again facilitates a process of recovery and reconciliation for those who may be facing the challenge of increasing vulnerability, loss of independence or death.
An important and enlightening book.
-- Cathy Ward, Art Therapist and EMDR practitioner with children and families
This book contains powerful stories from a diverse collection of people who have benefited from art therapy with experienced art therapists. Intended as a companion to Art Therapy with Neurological Conditions, it is well written, detailed, well researched and has many vivid illustrations. -- Rosemary Strange, independent nurse consultant, Nursing Standard
Table of ContentsForeword by Trevor Thompson. Preface. Introduction. Marian Liebmann, Central Recovery Team, Bristol and Penny Brohn Cancer Care and Sally Weston, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. ADULTS. Part I. Setting the Scene. 1. Does Your Body Mind? Does Your Mind Matter? Art Psychotherapy and the Complexity of Interactions Between Mind and Body. Malcolm Learmonth, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Insider Art with Karen Huckvale, Long Fox Unit, Weston Super Mare and University of Exeter, 'Isabel' and 'Rachel'. Part II. Cancer. 2. Short-term Art Therapy Groups for People with Cancer. Jo Beedell, The Rainbow Centre, City of Bath College and Penny Brohn Cancer Care and Marian Liebmann, Central Recovery Team, Bristol and Penny Brohn Cancer Care. 3. Absences in Images: What Those Affected by Life-limiting Illness Leave Out of Their Pictures. Jaini Hadley, Freelance. 4. Art Therapy, Cancer and the Recalibration of Identity. Michele Wood, University of Roehampton. Part III. Debilitating Conditions. 5. Completing the Picture: Art Therapy with a Client with Myalgic Encephalopathy (M.E.). Simon Richardson, Private Practice and Community Arts. 6. Anthroposophic Art Therapy with a Patient Suffering from Ulcerative Colitis. Don Ratcliffe, European Academy of Anthroposophic Art Therapy Trainings and Private Practice. Part IV. Physical Conditions and Other Conditions. 7. Art Therapy, Health and Homelessness. Julie Jackson, Trauma and Homelessness Team, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 8. Life, Loss and Labels: Art Therapy with Clients with Learning Disabilities and Terminal Physical Illness. Nicki Power, Lancashire Care Foundation Trust with Alison Hawtin, Cambridgeshire Adult Learning Disability Partnership. 9. Trapped Bodies, Open Minds: A Multicultural Art Therapy Group for Mental Health Service Users with Physical Health Problems. Cherry Lawrence, North East London Foundation Trust and Kayleigh Orr, Keech Hospice Care, Luton and West London Mental Health NHS Trust. CHILDREN. 10. War Zones: Art Therapy with a 12 Year Old Boy with Crohn's Disease. Michael Fischer, Art Therapist in Northumberland Tyne and Wear Community Children and Young People's Service. 11. 'Will Some of Me Fall Out?' A Diabetic Boy's Creation of a Psychological Skin through Art Therapy. Jo Clifton, Learning Disability Directorate, Aneurin Bevan Univ Health Board, Gwent, South Wales, and Community Mental Health Team, Weston-super-Mare. 12. Intimations of Mortality: Art Therapy with Children and Young People with Chronic or Life-limiting Illnesses. Jo Bissonnet, Freelance Supervisor and Unthank Family Centre Social Enterprise, Norfolk. 13. The Power of the Image in Memory-making with Life-limited Children. Carole Simpson, East Anglian Children's Hospice Services, Cambridgeshire. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS. 14. Psyche and Soma: Reflections of a Whole Person. Sarah Lewis, Retired NHS. Glossary. Author Biographies. Index.
