Sarah Kremer had a fantastic idea to create a MeetUp group for those of us who are wanting a little support from our peers while we make our way through the process.
I look forward to meeting you!
The MATISE STUDY
Authored by Mike Crawford, et al, a new, randomized, 24 month study on the effectiveness of art therapy with adults suffering from schizophrenia, is underway. Almost all the data has been collected, although analysis is yet to be done. The full article describing the research thus far is open for everyone to view.
“We believe that this is the first large scale pragmatic trial of Art Therapy for people with schizophrenia.” (Abstract)
Keep the research coming!
Forensic Art Therapy and Research
Check out this video from March 2009—an interview by Dr. Picart with Dr. Dave Gussak, who researches and practices art therapy in a prison setting:
To find out more about Dr. Gussak and his work, check out his website.
Art Seeking: Using Works of Art by Other Artists as Therapy
Jeremy Siegel, MD explains Art Seeking on his blog and it’s relationship to art therapy. Here’s a snipet of his recent post More Art Seeking Q & A:
Q. How is this different from the branch of psychotherapy known as art therapy?
A. Art seeking is distinctly different from art therapy. In art therapy you might be asked by a therapist to don a smock and soften clay or paint something. Art seeking requires none of this. In art seeking you don’t get your physical hands dirty. There is so much art all around us that already exists-made by artists over the centuries including that made in recent years-that we simply can begin to avail ourselves of what may be the greatest untapped resource for psychological healing.
Seems like Art Seeking is akin to collage, either magazine or online photos…don’t you think?
Preventing Sexual Assault
Read how in Chicago, Salamishah and Scheherazade Tillet use art therapy as a preventative measure to teach young women about sexual assault.
Art Therapy officially recognized in Israel
Art Therapy Students in India
Read this article about George Washington art therapy students working with clients of the Banyan.
“The 16 women, all students of art therapy, have been quietly helping ease the pain of cancer patients, differently-abled children in schools, substance-abuse victims, and the homeless and mentally-challenged women of The Banyan. And they do it all with nothing more than pots of paint, and handfuls of clay.”
– Chithira Vijaykumar, The Hindu
Robot Teachers
Check out this video from the New York Times about the latest advancements in robots designed to teach children.
Asthma and Art Therapy
May’s online issue of the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology included a study that demonstrated the effectiveness of art therapy with pediatric asthma patients.
“In art therapy, patients create artwork that helps express their feelings about an illness, a trauma or medical concerns. The artwork can then serve as a starting point for discussions about these issues. Researchers believe that creating art helps participants establish distance between themselves and their medical concerns. They learn to understand that they have a personal identity outside of their illness. It is believed to be particularly effective with children because they often do not have the adult capabilities to verbally articulate their emotions, perceptions, or beliefs, and often can more comfortably convey ideas in ways other than talking.”
Science Daily
Top 50 Art Therapy Blogs
Thanks to Rachel D. who alerted me to Top 50 Blogs for Learning About Medical Art Therapy, posted on a radiology website she contributes to.
Take a look!