Studio Art Therapy

Author: Catherine Hyland Moon
Date published: 2001
Page length: 340
Contents: 10 chapters in total. 

Amazon purchase link: Studio Art Therapy
Goodreads link: Studio Art Therapy

FROM THE PUBLISHER: Arguing that the profession of art therapy has its roots in the studio environment, Catherine Moon proposes that it is now time to reclaim these roots, and make art once again central to art therapy. She suggests that there has been a tendency for art therapy not merely to interact with and be enriched by other perspectives – psychological, social, anthropological and transpersonal – but to be subsumed by them.

For this reason she makes a clear distinction between using art in one’s practice of therapy, and working from an art-based model. This book presents a model of art therapy where the products and processes of art constitute the core of the model, rather than serving as the impetus for adaptations of other theories of counselling or therapy.

It addresses how an arts-based approach can inform the therapist in all aspects of practice, from the conception of the work and the attempt to understand client needs to interacting with clients and communicating with others about the profession of art therapy.

Integrated into the book are stories about the work of art therapists, art therapy students and those who seek help in art therapy, presenting the theory behind Studio Art Therapy and bringing it to life.

Moon believes that the arts have something unique to offer to the therapeutic process which distinguish the arts therapies from other therapeutic professions. This book is a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the possibilities inherent in the therapeutic use of the arts.

Book Content:

1. Introduction
2. How We Conceive of the Work We Do
3. The Process of Cultivating an Artist Identity
4. Creating the Studio Space
5. Responding to Clients through the Poetry of Their Lives
6. A Relational Aesthetic
7. Influence of an Artistic Perspective on Therapeutic Work
8. Role of the Therapist as Artist
9. Communicating with Others about the Work We Do
10. Art Therapy and Social Responsibility
Epilogue

Studio Art Therapy serves as an important reminder of the distinction between Art Therapy and other forms of psychotherapy. That distinction is in using art materials and the process of creating art.

Cathy Moon reminds us to connect with the art-making process and in turn, connect with others and their story through the art-making process. The book provides ideas on how to create a space that helps clients become engaged in the art-making process.

Studio Art Therapy lays the foundation for connecting art-making between the therapist and client. This can also be beneficial in the context of art therapy groups and workshops where less emphasis is placed on the clinical process of therapy and more on the collaborative and relationship-building benefits of groups.

Studio Art Therapy is an excellent introduction to art therapy for those who are undertaking study. For this reason, it has appeared on many university/college textbook lists over the years.

As art therapists, this book is a good reminder of how to balance our own identity as an artist and an art therapist.

Studio Art Therapy delves into topics on creativity, practicing art, and cultivating an artist identity. The author uses a relaxed method of writing that feels similar to fictional story telling. This style of writing makes reading a more engaging process.

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In chapter 4 of the Studio Art Therapy book, the author discusses Creating The Studio Space.

You can download this supplies list to spark some ideas about the materials you may want to include in your art therapy studio.