Art Therapy Pedagogy

Portrait Masks, Appropriated Space, and an Overseas Art Experiential: Nature as Critical Catalyst in the Practice and Training of Art Therapy

“…Recent literature suggests strong interests in nature and a return to the outdoors, an acknowledgement that technology is here to stay, that we must somehow integrate this within our service delivery, and that there is a resurgence in prioritizing creativity, imagination, and play in art therapy practice and training (Atkins & Snyder, 2018;Belkofer & Belkofer, 2018;Carlton et al, 2018;Horovitz, 2019;Hunter, 2012;Lay, 2020;Whitaker, 2021). Training that involves strong reflective processes certainly validates understanding as well as insights that we are yet to uncover-especially relevant as we move between actual and digital realities; reflective questions do lead to answers, however, they also lead to more questions (Backos & Carolan, 2018;Carlton et al, 2018;Lay, 2020;Whitaker & Riccardi, 2019).…”

“…This section surfaces the concepts of space, technologies, portraits, and how, together, they can contribute to an integration of body-mind-spirit as part of one's practice. Often described as a hybrid discipline, it is not surprising that art therapy intuitively expands to take into account diverse interests, developments, and trends associated with various communities, cultures, and geographical regions; understandably, this is part of ethical practice (Atkins & Snyder, 2018;Backos & Carolan, 2018;Huss, 2015;Kapitan, 2014;Lay, 2018Lay, , 2020McLachlan, 2017;Park, 2019;Whitaker & Riccardi, 2019).…”

“…It also serves to illuminate the potential of art and art therapy practice that extends to the environments in which it transpires (Whitaker, 2021). Art therapists need an understanding of cultures, including those involving technologies, and how these are manifested within art and the therapeutic encounter (Backos & Carolan, 2018;Choe & Carlton, 2019;Huss, 2015;Lay, 2018;Park, 2019;Whitaker & Riccardi, 2019). Ongoing research into the use of technologies, including selfie-related behavior, is needed given its cultural and larger societal implications as well as its potential impact on mental health and wellbeing (Balakrishnan & Griffiths, 2018;Rumpf et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2017).…”