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RESOURCES
A selection of books I have read and enjoyed in relation to my Art Therapy practice.
Art Therapy For Groups, by Marian Liebmann.
"The fabulous Marian liebmann and her useful resource 'Art Therapy For Groups, a handbook of themes, games and exercises ' first published in 1986 but still really relevant and helpful in prepping for a group."
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Memories,Dreams Reflections, by C.G.Jung
‘In many cases in psychiatry, the patient who comes to us has a story that is not told, and which as a rule no one knows of. To my mind, therapy only really begins after the investigation of that wholly personal story. It is the patient’s secret, the rock against which he is shattered...We must ask questions which challenge the whole personality.’
A personal journey of Jung’s life and works starting from ‘first years’ to ‘on life after death’ . Such insights of the master, I love this book.
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Winnicott by Adam Phillips.
Phillips conducts an exploration of Winnicott's life and papers. Winnicott who was a great innovator within the psychoanalytic tradition. Winnicott writes when thinking about a child from a broken home, in the chapter here called 'wartime' 'it is notoriously inadequate to take such a child into one's home and love him. What happens is that after a while a child so adopted gains hope, and then he starts to test out the environment he has found, and to seek proof of his guardians ability to hate objectively. It seems that he can believe in being loved only after reaching being hated.'
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The Art of Business, by Emery Hurst Mikel.
A great practical book 'the art of business, a guide for creative arts therapists starting on a path to self-employment by emery hurst Mikel published in 2013. Covering subjects such as: contract work v private practice, contracts and agreements, invoices, marketing, acting ethically.. real useful resources for starting out on your own.
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Art Therapy with Neurological Conditions edited by Sally Weston and Marian liebmann, published in 2015
This is a gem of a book . Has a section on adults and children, covering acquired brain injury, epilepsy, dementia and other neurological conditions.
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Chapter 3. The Janus Response by Iris Von sass Hyde 'Janus is the roman god who faces both ways, the god of gateways, and after which January is named. The gates were opened in times of danger and closed when the crisis was over...the Janus response is the term I developed to describe the distinct stages I saw in patients images . Patients usually started by remembering the person they were, their past life..they then focused on present issues ..finally they were able to look towards their future and their discharge..' beautiful Words Iris.
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The Gift of Therapy, by Irvin D. Yalom.
The fabulous Irvin D. Yalom who writes at the start of this book, 'what I had to do (as a psychotherapist) was to identify and remove obstacles. The rest would follow automatically, fuelled by the self-actualising forces within the patient.' How beautiful.
Trust the Process, by Shaun McNiff.
A book chosen from the inspiring creative arts Therapist Shaun Mcniff , this book delves into the unknown process of creativity. ' whether in painting, poetry, performance, music, dance, or life, there is an intelligence working in every situation. This force is the primary carrier of creation. There is a magic to the process that cannot be controlled by the ego.' Shaun McNiff is an artist and internationally known figure in the creative arts Therapies .
Art Heals, by Shaun McNiff.
The poetic expressive arts therapist Shaun McNiff , 'Art Heals', Pat B. Allen says' Shaun McNiff remains first and foremost an ally of the soul.'
Ways of Seeing, by John Berger.
Based on the BBC television series 'ways of seeing' by John Berger. ' seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognises before it can speak. The surrealist painter Magritte commented on this always-present gap between words and seeing in a painting called The Key of Dreams' .
How to talk so kids will listen & listen so kids will talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.
This book has been on the shelf over 20years and is a bible for communication skills for parents.
Psychological insights ahead of its time . Topics covered include: helping children deal with their feelings, engaging cooperation, alternatives to punishment, encouraging autonomy, praise, freeing children from playing roles .
From Chaos to Coherence, by Elisabeth Cleve.
Can't put this story down , beautifully told case study of 7 years of psychotherapy with a young boy.
Trauma-proofing your kids, by Peter A. Levine and Maggie Kline .
A fantastic book for parents and caregivers from the awesome @drpeteralevine and #maggiekline
.‘The number of anxious, depressed, hyperactive and withdrawn children is staggering - and still growing ! .. this sends a lifeline to parents who wonder how they can help their worried and troubled children now. It offers simple but powerful tools to keep children safe from danger and to help them ‘bounce back’ after feeling scared and overwhelmed.’
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I think a lot of carers and children would benefit hugely from the tools in this book during these difficult times we are facing.
On not Being Able to Paint, by Marion Milner.
A hugely helpful tool in self awareness in creativity and a personal, vulnerable, intimate reminder of the impact the unconscious has on our work. ..
When the drawing was finished the original anger had vanished. The anger had apparently gone into the drawing. So it seemed here at least was an expression of a mood, even though it was not the original, ...' p5 .
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