Specialization 1: History, Creativity, And Practices in Art

Catalog description

This course explores the historical and conceptual development of art therapy as a distinct profession, examining its influences from psychology, art history, and related fields. Students will integrate major psychological and counseling theories with an understanding of art therapy’s continuum of practice, therapeutic benefits of art processes, and culturally responsive interventions. Emphasis is also placed on media use, ethical care of artwork, and the therapist’s own responsive art-making to enhance self-awareness and treatment efficacy, allowing students to apply knowledge of creativity, symbolism, metaphor, and artistic language to the practice of art therapy in working with diverse clients. The course also examines trauma-focused and sensory-based interventions, the impact of practice environments, and the role of organizational missions, physical settings, and technologically mediated spaces in shaping client care. Students will engage in creative exploration to develop their symbolic language and integrative thinking across intellectual, emotional, artistic, and interpersonal domains.