Art Therapy: An Introduction (BASIC PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE)

Book Description

Art therapy has grown so fast in the last few decades that it has barely been able to keep up with itself. Most books in the field have represented the author's interpretations of practicing art therapy. As art therapy continues to grow - not only in psychology but in other relevant fields - an overview of the field is needed. This introduction to art therapy. Art Therapy: An Introduction broadly outlines the history and current state of the field, the mechanics and techniques used and the ethics and responsibilities of this therapeutic strategy.

This survey of the field of art therapy is the first of its kind. Students, teachers, counselors, social workers, practitioners and others will benefit from the information presented in this book. In addition, the author provides pictures showing examples of artwork from children and adults as well as pictures of art therapists in action.

Customer Reviews:

A very basic introduction to art therapy.......2007-06-14

I bought this book for a class on the history of art therapy. Although the book does provide some interesting insights, I found Rubin's writing style frustrating. Her approach is based on her perception of what is important, rather than presenting the information in a reader-friendly format. Additionally, she does not follow the APA style, which I also found frustrating. However, she did pull together some interesting facts about the field, as well as some illuminating historical references and case studies. Rubin does believe strongly in the power of this type of treatment, and her passion is evident in her writing. Although this book may not be the best to just pick up and read, it does provide a general overview of the field that some may find useful.

too much history, not enough substance.......2004-01-02

I was misled by the title of this book. By some stretch of the word, it could be an introduction. But it is more like a rambling exploration of the history of the field of art therapy that jumps from person to person, often with only one sentence about each person. The chapters promise information on many ideas but none is covered in any meaningful way. And I certainly did not get a positive impression of art therapy from this book. In fact, it seems like a field that does not have a clear definition or the author could not come up with one. As a clinical social worker I was hoping for some more practical and less reference-oriented. This book reads like a dictionary, so if you are looking for something like that, it is the book you want.

a lot of info but not well-organized.......2002-07-31

I guess I disagree with the previous reviewer on this book. I found it very confusing and disorganized in its content. It was not a very clear introduction to art therapy and the examples presented were not very helpful regarding what art therapists really do. The beginning is very historical and that was not really of interest to someone like me who wants to know what art therapy is. Maybe art therapy is a lot of history and it is hard to describe to others. I believe the author was sincere, but there is actually too much information presented in this book. If the author were a little more selective, the average reader might find this book more helpful.

I agree that this book is well-referenced, but for a lay reader it is over referenced. Almost every other sentence is a reference and many of the references are to material that is not published. I am wondering if art therapy is an unpublished field because the author uses a lot of these types of references. I found that very distracting and it did not help the clarity of this book.

This book would probably be best for art therapists who understand the various dimensions of their field. But for those who want to know in a readable manner what art therapy is and what art therapists do, this is not that book.

FINALLY, THE BOOK WE NEED AND WANT.......2002-07-09

Being an old-timer in the field, I need no "introduction". But this book I find I both NEED and WANT.

I NEED it because it explains art therapy to the general public and students in the field better than any other book I know. I wish it had been around for the last 30 years when I was teaching graduate students in a dozen schools around the country. It brings the field to life!

I know of no other book that documents so much information about art therapy. Nobody I know has such a command of the source material in the field.

I WANT it for an assortment of reasons.

For one thing, it is never dry or ponderous - as its vast scholarship might suggest. She writes conversationally, making even the most complex ideas easily accessible to the lay person, the prospective or beginning student...charming and delighting old-timers like me.

Her format of small subject headings and bold type to emphasize essentials makes it easy to skim and shortcut. This beomes, then, a useful SOURCE BOOK for those trying to get a quick overview of the field.

She attributes ideas and writings widely, to everyone in the field who has made contributions. This is a GENEROUS book.

She is modest, witty and very proactical too. Fo those considering entering the field, here is an HONEST PICTURE of what problems as well as rewards are in store.

Who should read it? First off, people who want to know more about the field as well as students. And for people like me, or practitioners already working as art therapists, this is the book we need to have in our libraries.

Also I think it should be in counselors' offices in every art school, high school and especially college in the country. People don't know a great deal about this field, and school counselors will find no better SOURCE BOOK to help their students.

Interested practitioners in other fields will find useful chapters on Assessment, various Approaches, and the work going on with a variety of people in many different places: medical fields, crisis work, community institutions, and so on. It also discusses multimodality approaches (e.g. music, dance, drama & art).

Here are vivid stories and photos showing us how art therapy ACTUALLY WORKS.

Book didn't sell me on art therapy.......2000-01-22

The author may be a good writer, but this book did not sell me on the idea of art therapy. I read it and still wondered, what is art therapy? I agree with the first reviewer who said it is a great reference listing. But I enjoyed The Art Therapy Sourcebook more and would recommend that book if you want to know more about art therapy. It gave me a better idea of what art therapy is and how it is done.

The Practice Of Emotionally Focused Marital Therapy: Creating Connection (Brunner/Mazel Basic Principles Into Practice Series, Vol 11)

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Good EFT book
Great Theory and Practice
Excellent and concise
An excellent guide for practitioners

The Practice Of Emotionally Focused Marital Therapy: Creating Connection (Brunner/Mazel Basic Principles Into Practice Series, Vol 11)
Susan M Johnson
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0876308175

Book Description

This work serves as a clear, cogent description of the process of emotionally focused marital therapy (EFT) - which, at the same time, illuminates the promise this technique offers. While most of the literature in this area is based on the idea of intervention being primarily behavioral (with emotion considered as secondary at best, and disruptive at worst) this book identifies the role of emotion in marital distress, and then reveals its potential to play a central role in successful marital therapy. The Practice of Emotionally Focused Marital Therapy includes: A model for short-term, effective marital therapy Relevant theory of adult love and marital stress Change strategies with many clinical examples Nine steps in the process of change, together with key change events Step-by-step guide to intervention at specific points in therapy Specific ways to address a partners emotions to create new interactions and bonding events Applications of techniques with families This important new volume presents EFT as a powerful therapeutic technique for practicing professionals, and also serves as an instructive graduate-level text for courses in marital therapy, psychology, social work, and counselling.

Customer Reviews:

Good EFT book.......2007-01-10

This book is very good for people who want to learn more about EFT. it is easy to read and has lots of case examples.

Great Theory and Practice.......2006-07-04

This is an excellent presention of EFT for couple therapy. The theoretical underpinnings are presented in a way that does not detract from the aim of the book to help one learn how this work is done. There are lots of clear examples and explanations that give one the feeling they are ready to apply what they have learned in their next session. Written in a clear style free of jargon.

Excellent and concise.......2005-08-12

Good overview of the relationship between attachment and emotional functioning in marriage. The manualized treatment approach has been empirically supported so deserves more than just a glance. An excellent addition to the libraries of anyone interested in and encountering the challenges of couples counseling.

An excellent guide for practitioners.......1998-12-03

Johnson does a beautiful job of laying out the process of effective therapy with couples in a manner that is both clear and respectful of the complexity of the process. Upon reading her book, it suddenly became clear to me why I have been successful with some couples and painfully inadequate with others. It's been a real jump-start to my feeling alive and effective again in therapy. Tom Daniels, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist

Average customer rating:

Excellent!
too many errors; not enough substance

Basics of Acupuncture
Gabriel Stux
Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accessories:

ASIN: 3540442731

Book Description

Basics of Acupuncture shows that it is possible to integrate Western medicine and traditional Chinese concepts. It starts with an updated review of the scientific bases of acupuncture and related research.
A short introduction on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine is followed by a detailed account of diagnosis. Main topic is the description of the Chinese systems of channels, functional organs and the most important acupuncture points.
The remainder of the book is devoted to treatment, based on western modes of diagnosis. The methods and applications of needling and moxibustion are described, and the most important points are given for frequently encountered diseases.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2003-09-03

This book is excellent, which makes me wonder what the heck the last reviewer was thinking. This book doesn't have point location errors...I am a certified acupuncturist and I can assure you this book is not only accurate, but Bruce Pomeranz uses Western methods to validate the use of acupuncture in the mainstream. Many people don't like his "anatomical" method of relating the acu-points, but for Western trained health care professionals, it is much easier to integrate into practice, sell to patients and to explain using science than the traditional Chinese medicine. Let's face it, the Chinese knew what they were talking about 2000 years ago (or more!) but they explained it in a way that made sense to them. Well, we're a bit more scientific now and explaining the results we get with a bit of science may offend some, but it is progress because we are integrating old style wisdom with new understandings.

too many errors; not enough substance.......1999-02-05

This book looks very professionally done, but the content is less than adequate. There are location mistakes on the diagrams, and the information on the individual points is too condensed for any real practical use.

Average customer rating:

Easy read for beginning therapists
Great counseling resource!

Family Therapy Basics
Mark Worden
Manufacturer: Brooks/Cole
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0534519717

Book Description

This text provides readers with the critical link between theory and practice illustrating how to actually "do" family therapy. It is a nuts-and-bolts primer that takes students step-by-step through the process of conducting family therapy sessions. The book starts with the initial session and finishes with the terminating session covering assessment, diagnosis, skills and techniques needed throughout each stage. The case of the Martin family, a blended family, is followed throughout the treatment process.

Customer Reviews:

Easy read for beginning therapists.......2007-02-16

This book was amazingly helpful in my therapy class. It really brings to life what I shortly hope to be doing for my career. It does not read like a typical text book and is easily understandable and applicable.

Great counseling resource!.......2004-03-12

This book offered good instructions for conducting family therapy, but it was not written for Christian counselors. This was strictly a "techniques" manual. Although the book was theologically limited because of its focus on secular counseling methods, helpful concepts were found. The strategic questions Dr. Worden asked were very insightful. However, an inexperienced therapist would have difficulty recalling questions during specific points of the session. One would have to compile these questions into notes and then refer to it during family counseling, which may inadvertently hamper the therapeutic process since the counselor is distracted with asking the "right" questions instead of understanding the family's presenting problem.

The number and length of sessions was left up to the discretion of individual therapists. Considering that Dr. Worden wrote the book for "a beginning therapist," he failed to answer his initial question, "What do I do next?" in regards to this important aspect of counseling. Granted there are various factors involved with different families, Dr. Worden still should have recommended his own standard number and duration of sessions as a "rule of thumb." He did mention that HMOs found five to 10 sessions the "acceptable standard" for treatment (34), but it was stated as an expected fact when one counsels HMO clients.

Dr. Worden included ways of confronting family members during a therapy session, even though he said it "may harm as much as it helps" (67). These questions seemed harsh and unproductive. For example, he asked, "Mrs. Martin, your complaints fall on deaf ears. I wonder why you persistently bring them up?" Then he said, "Cindy, you have a one-note act. All you can do is interrupt in a hostile fashion" (68). This line of questioning and remark might actually erode the therapeutic alliance instead of helping the overall counseling process.

In redirecting the session from "the emotional to the cognitive," Dr. Worden used some closed-ended questions, such as "Is this what happens at home?" or "Do the same issues start the same fights?" (76). These questions were meant to allow family members to "interact in problem-solving mode with the therapist," but instead of allowing for a comprehensive cognitive reflection, it would probably yield only simple "yes or no" answers (76).

Dr. Worden believed that "continually" asking someone, "How did that make you feel?" was counterproductive for feelings to "emerge" and exhibited in counseling (86), but if the therapist never asked the client to label their feelings, an outburst of emotions may be misinterpreted and thus mislabeled. Also, Dr. Worden never quantified what he meant by "continually."

According to Dr. Worden, play and drawing therapy can be useful tools for seeing the family from a child's perspective; however, asking a child to "draw a picture of everyone in your family, including yourself, doing something," may be taken literally and the result will be pictures of each family member doing some sort of activity unique to that individual (88). This could be misread to imply that the "family is absorbed in personal interests" because family interaction is not taking place in the child's drawing (89). If the purpose for the drawing therapy was to find "family interactional patterns" (89), then perhaps asking the child to draw a picture of the family doing something together is a better approach. If the family never does anything together, the child will have nothing to draw.

There were several positive aspects of the book. For instance, asking family members certain questions like, "After an argument, can you predict what will happen next?" was a good way to make people realize their influence in family interactions (87). The basic premise is if a behavior can be predicted, then it could be "controlled" and "modified" (87).

Dr. Worden included a section on "avoiding an emotional trap" (77). He discussed how a family's "dynamics" could influence a therapist's discernment into "agreeing that the scapegoat is the family problem" or "believing that someone needs to be rescued" (77). He suggested that the therapist "take a step back" and ask him or herself questions such as, "Why do I feel like rescuing this person?" He said the answer would give the therapist a "clearer perspective" of the counseling situation (77).

Book Description

The author proceed to regard stepfamilies as different-not better or worse-than the nuclear family for successful therapy. While it is designed to be concise, the book offers a comprehensive look at this topic. The Vishers have crafted a text that will be equally useful to therapists working with stepfamilies, those unfamiliar with the field, and as a text for therapy training programs |o

Customer Reviews:

compact, specific, useful - and misses key points.......2004-08-27

I have been a professional stepfamily researcher and therapist for 27 and 24 years, respectively. I'm currently an invited Board member of the DStepfamily Association oof America, and a contributing editor to "Your Stepfamily Online" e-magazine. I've lived in two stepfamilies, as a stepgran\dson, stepson, stepfather, and stepbrother.

This classic book is commendable for (a) indicating the scope of issues with typical stepfamily clients, (b) focusing on the differences between intact biofamilies and typical stepfamilies, (c) hilighting common major therapeutic iswues and suggesting useful interventions, (d) being upbeat and realistic in tone, and (e) providing a usable index.

I believe the Vishers omit several key issues: (1) the common stressor of co-parents being wounded from low-nurturance childhoods, and what to do about that; (2) the common stressors of values conflicts and (Karpmann) relationship triangles; (3) the concept of surface problems and underlying primary needs determining most behavior and surface "problems," and (4) the importance of having co-parents and relatives accept their stepfamily identity, and what it *means;* (tho they do focus on helping co-parents change myths into realistic expectations).

Overall, this is a fine book for students and experienced therapists who embrace the family systems paradigm. Learning the concepts and related interventions for the four points above will add to any clinician's effectiveness.

For more perspective, see this nonprofit educational site:

http://sfhelp.org

Family Therapy: FUNDAMENTALS OF THEORY & PRACTICE (BASIC PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE)

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Family Therapy: FUNDAMENTALS OF THEORY & PRACTICE (BASIC PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE)
WILLIAM GRIFFIN
Manufacturer: TAYLOR & FRANCIS/ ROUTLEDGE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0876307195

Basic Concepts in Family Therapy: An Introductory Text

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Basic concepts in family therapy
An excellent survey of family therapy issues.
Basic Concepts in Family Therapy: An Introductory Text

Basic Concepts in Family Therapy: An Introductory Text
Linda Berg-Cross
Manufacturer: Haworth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0789009412

Book Description

This new edition of Basic Concepts in Family Therapy features current research and added materials in each chapter. For family therapists and students, especially those challenged by child or adolescent problems in the family context, this intelligent guide will assist you in handling specialized situations through newly added chapters on resiliency and poverty, adoption, chronic illness, spirituality and religion, and parenting strategies. Basic Concepts in Family Therapy will help you bridge theories and techniques with problems you see everyday in society to offer improved and relevant services to clients.

Customer Reviews:

Basic concepts in family therapy.......2000-10-15

This is an excellent book, well researched with up-to-date references and written with numerous case stories to illustrate the point in every relevant chapter. Linda Berg-Cross is affiliated with Howard University in Washington, DC, but also active in private practice working with individuals, families and groups with a another textbook on Couple Therapy to her name. This book is devided into six units: Getting acquinted with the family; Systems perspective on family concepts; Ecological stressors; A cognitive perspective on family concepts; A sibling perspective and A social psychological perspective with a total of 22 chapters. I especially liked the two chapters on "Family resiliency and poverty" and the last chapter on "Spirituality", both new additions to this second textbook edition. In the chapter on resiliency it is stressed that self-efficacy versus dependence and growth versus stagnation are two important issues in working with families living in poverty. Four models are discussed: The moral model, where the individual is responsible for his own problems and their solutions; the enlightenment model suggests that the individual is responsible for his problems, but the solution must be given oor told (to enlighten) from an outside source; the medical model sees the problem as a disease, where the individual has little power over the cause or the cure and the compensatory model that takes the position that the individual must compensate for the deficits imposed and overcome the barriers. It is very essential to realize that the solutions are not outside the client, but within and the function of the therapist is to assist the client to remove the stressors and unveil the family unit as resourceful and capable of solving their problems. The chapter on spirituality is interesting, because it is a subject that many professionals often shy away from, but nevertheless important for many families (40% of all Americans attend a place of worship at least weekly and 90% of all American adults say the pray to God at least occasionally). In fact spirituality and religion have many overlapping roles and functions together with family therapy like: to foster a sense of perspective, to give meaning to life, to provide rituals that transform and connect, to provide social support networks, to structure society and set ethical norms, to give an identity and heritage to family members, to support families, to facilitate posie change in individuals, to look out for the physical and emotional welfare of family members and finally to educate family members. All in all a book for therapists, students and people interested in the dynamics of family life. All will get something out of reading it.

Professor Joav Merrick, MD, DMSc Medical Director, Division for Mental Retardation, Box 1260, IL-91012 Jerusalem, Israel. E-mail: jmerrick@aquanet.co.il

An excellent survey of family therapy issues........2000-07-04

Any collection strong in psychology or family therapy at the college level will find this newly revised and expanded edition of Basic Concepts In Family Therapy essential, providing over twenty basic psychological concepts therapists may use to understand and help clients. From poverty to family productivity, this provides an excellent survey of family therapy issues.

Basic Concepts in Family Therapy: An Introductory Text.......2000-05-17

Good overview of treatment considerations associated with family intervention. Some areas would benefit from updating, otherwise pretty sound. A respectable introductory text.

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Basic Family Therapy
Philip Barker
Manufacturer: Blackwell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 140514436X

Book Description

Despite the advances that have occurred since the first edition of this book appeared in 1981, its aims remain the same. These are to provide a clear, easily read and readily understandable introduction to family therapy, and to guide the reader to sources of further information by providing a comprehensive list of references. No prior knowledge of family therapy has been assumed and it is hoped that the book will be useful not only to those who are new to family therapy but also to those in the early phases of their training.The fifth edition of this established text provides an unbiased, readable and up-to-date introduction to the field of family therapy. It recognises the various forms of dysfunction which may occur within individual families, often coloured by the culture of the society to which the family belongs. Against this complex backdrop and the various schools of thought in family therapy, the book synthesises the basic principles that apply to family therapy generally.

Introduction to Systemic Therapy with Individuals: A Social Constructionist Approach (Basic Texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy)

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Introduction to Systemic Therapy with Individuals: A Social Constructionist Approach (Basic Texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Fran Hedges
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1403904502
Release Date: 2005-03-24

Book Description

In recent years, the benefits and applications of systemic therapy with individuals, in addition to its more traditional practice with families, has been increasingly recognized. This important new text provides trainees and practitioners new to this approach with a lively, accessible and thoroughly practical introduction to the key theoretical concepts and techniques.

Family Therapy in Changing Times: Second Edition (Basic Texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy)

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Family Therapy in Changing Times: Second Edition (Basic Texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Gill Gorell Barnes
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

The new edition of this well-known text addresses the plurality of family life today, and considers the way in which the changeable "theory of family" has influenced the approaches of those working with families. The emphasis in this second edition is on working in a context of cultural diversity and in which life transitions such as marriage, divorce and bereavement, affect the lives of all families, be they multi- or lone-parent, gay or heterosexual. This is an essential text for therapists and counsellors, both in training and in practice, who work with families.

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