Art Therapy (Major)

Explores the discipline of Art Therapy through a critical theoretical framework along with examining empirical evidence while providing an overview of Art Therapy as a discipline. The discipline of Art Therapy, its influences, its history, then nature of the discipline, and applications to clinical practice will be explored. This course will also focus on the developmental and healing aspects of art and the creative process, as well as an understanding of the basic principles of how our unconscious thoughts reach expression in images rather than words that can be used in clinical practice. Students will engage in art making experiences as a means to explore the creative process and its relationship to the psychological and emotional self and to understand the relationship of art making to the treatment process. Prerequisites: PSY-101. [3 credits]

Engages students in tangible exporation of the symbiotic, therapeutically significant relationship between art and psychology through didactic instruction and art-based experientials. Professional art therapists working in a variety of settings in the region will serve as guest lecturers, providing clarity as to the therapeutic needs of their clients, goals of Art Therapy with these populations, and demonstrations of their approaches. Materials and methods will be emphasized throughout the course and synthesized with supporting pschological theory and practice relative to the treatment populations explored. Development of emphatic responsiveness and self-awareness through experiential learning, small group and dyadic collaboration, and written and art-based self-reflection will be central. Prerequisite: ATP-201. [3 credits]

Explores the rich underpinnings of the field of Art Therapy predating its formal establishment as a discipline, including psychiatric interest in spontaneous image creation and the  relationship to behavior, psychiatric condition, and expression of experience. Through examination of historical texts and theory, as well as examination of contemporary literature and research in the field, students will gain understanding of the history and development of the discipline of Art Therapy and how it is practiced today within clinical and community based settings. Attetion will also be given to how both the process and product of Art Therapy are integral to growth and healing for clients.  Students will work toward understanding how art "speaks" and how internal experiences find expression through creative materials and provide products that promote interpersonal connection and psychologically restorative  opportunities. Art making in and outside of class will provide a critical means through which students learn how the creative process is informed by and is an expression of the self and one's internal, psychological experiences. This course is a prerequisite to all other graduate Art Therapy courses. Prerequisite: Enrolled in Graduate Art Theraphy Program (MA). [3 credits]

Integrates understanding of ethical, professional, and legally informed practices toward development of professional identity as an Art Therapist. Examines service provision and ethical decision making in mental health, educational, medical, and community-based settings. The critical roles of supervision, documentation, collaboration with related service professionals, advocacy for client needs and for the profession of Art Therapy, and professional organizations and credentialing agencies will be explored. Prerequisite: Enrolled in Graduate Art Therapy Program (MA). Corequisites: required with or prior to ATP-501 and practicum or internship.  [3 credits]

Examines the stages of human groth and development and offers students opportunity to scaffold assessment and treatment of typical and atypical individuals across the lifespan.  Study of normative developmental stages of art will provide students a contextual les for assessing and considering how atypical development might be therapeutically addressed. Students will additionally consider the influences of culture upon an individual or family's growth and development. Students will gain and demonstrate uderstanding of development as a continuum and clients' capacity for growth withinin the continuum across the lifespan. Prerequisite: Enrolled in Graduate Art Therapy Program (MA).  ATP-502 taken previously or concurrently.  [3 credits]

Explores various theoretical approaches including psychodnamic, cognitive/behavioral, and humanistic approaches along with current counseling trends and their relation to art psychotherapy approaches, emphasizing integration. Introduces and provides initial opportunity, via in class experiential exercises, for practice of establishing and developing the therapeutic relationship through verbal and art mediated counseling proccesses. Students will develop an approach sensitive to clients' and counselors cultural backgrounds, personal philosophies, wellness, and presenteing needs. Case presentations and experiential exercises will guide class discussions. Students will articulate their own developing theoretical orientations. Prerequisite: Enrolled in Graduate Art Therapy Program (MA). ATP-501 taken previously or concurrently. [3 credits]