Implementing the Expressive Therapies Continuum

Sandra Graves-Alcorn, PhD, is a pioneer founder of The American Art Therapy Association and retired professor of expressive therapies at the University of Louisville.Christa Kagin, MA-ATR, is associate professor and chair of the Art Department at Benedictine College where she developed and leads the Art Therapy Specialization for undergraduates.

• Introduction. 1 History and Formulation. 2 Media Dimension Variables. 3 Theoretical Structure. 4 Kinesthetic/Sensory Focused Initiatives. 5 Perceptual/Affective Focused Initiatives. 6 Cognitive/Symbolic Focused Initiatives. 7 Creativity and Its Role. Appendix. Index.

"This book describes an extensive array of activities to be used with students or clients, depending on the art therapist’s goals. Based on the Expressive Therapies Continuum and Media Dimension Variables, the exercises are presented clearly and explicitly, enabling the teacher or therapist to easily present them to those they serve. Along with the specific directives are explanations of the theories on which they are based, a useful addition to anyone’s clinical or educational armamentarium."Judith A. Rubin, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM, president, Expressive Media, Inc."This volume expands clinical applications of the Expressive Therapies Continuum in a way that no other book has to date. The authors have articulated a rich variety of art-based processes through a series of pragmatic, user-friendly examples and brain-wise concepts. This book will introduce helping professionals to new ways of approaching their work and inspire practitioners in the fields of creative arts therapies, counseling, psychology, and education to expand their repertoire of creative interventions with children, adults, families and groups."Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT, executive director, Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Louisville, Kentucky"This personal, intimate, and highly readable book will be useful to both beginning and experienced art therapists, as well as those in movement/dance, music, drama and poetry therapy. One of the book's compelling strengths is its comfortable, user-friendly writing style, infused throughout with an intimate tone. With easy to follow suggestions, they lead one on to ever widening explorations toward greater self-awareness."Eleanor Irwin, PhD, drama therapist, RDT, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh"Graves and Kagin have provided clinicians with a carefully sequenced, powerful, and elegant method that will deepen clients’ expressive capacities and personal exploration. The Expressive Therapies Continuum remains one of the most important systemic approaches in our field, and this book benefits from the authors’ years of experience in a wide range of settings. I highly recommend this to all expressive arts therapists, clinicians, and teachers interested in the potential of the creative act to heal."David Read Johnson, PhD, RDT-BCT, co-director, Post Traumatic Stress Center, New Haven, CT, associate clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine