The Artist As Therapist

By Arthur Robbins

Book Overview

In this classic text Arthur Robbins explores the role of the art therapist in integrating aesthetics and psychodynamics into the therapeutic process. He argues that psychological phenomena have their aesthetic counterparts, and that incorporating these elements facilitates the therapeutic process. The artist in the therapist responds to the patient's use of colour, space, form and energy; the therapist uses his artist's reaction to ascertain the psychodynamics of the piece. Robbins asserts that the variations and complexities of aesthetic form demonstrate the variety of symbolic solutions to developmental cases that are inextricably involved in the quest for self-differentiation. He also emphasises the importance of the therapists' inner experiences in the development of theory.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898854393
• ISBN13: 9780898854398
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Plenum Publishing Corporation
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.