Expressing Emotions through Art (Education at the Getty)

Grades: Lower Elementary (K–2), focused for grade 2Time Required: 7–10 class periodsSubjects: Visual ArtsPrerequisites: noneThis unit for children in primary grades focuses on feelings depicted or expressed in works of art. Children make personal connections with works of art that express themes of caring and study how artists use art principles such as space, line, shape, and color to express mood and meaning. Each lesson encourages children to express thoughts and feelings about caring with art activities in drawing, painting, and three-dimensional construction.Young children are sensitive to interpersonal relationships within their family and peer group. These lessons help them address universal relationships and concerns of society as they create and share artworks that provide tangible, visible extensions of themselves. Personal connections allow them to better communicate meaning and feeling when viewing works of art, and to extend their visual and creative frames of reference.

Positive Emotion List

Positive Emotion List
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AbleAbsolvedAbundantAcceleratedAcceptableAcceptedAcceptingAccomplishedAccountableAchievingActiveAdaptableAdequateAdmirableAdmiredAdoredAffluentAgreeableAgreeableAlertAmbitiousAmenableAmusedAppreciatedApprovingAssertiveAssuredAt easeAttachedAttentiveAttractiveAuthenticAwakeAwareAwesomeBalancedBeautifulBelievingBlessedBlissfulBondedBraveBrightBrilliantCalmCapableCaptivatedCared ForCarefulCaringCautiousCenteredCertainCheerfulCherishedCleanClearCollectedComfortableComfortedCommittedCompassionateCompleteComposedComprehendingConfidentCongruentConnectedConsciousConstantContentCooperativeCourageousCredibleDaringDecisiveDefendedDelightedDependableDesirableDignifiedDiscerningDisciplinedDistinguishedDutifulDynamicEagerEasy-goingEcstaticEdifiedEfficientElatedElegantElevatedEmancipatedEmpoweredEncouragedEnergeticEnergizedEnthusiasticEuphoricExceptionalExcitedExhilaratedExperiencedExpressiveExuberantFaithFantasticFavoredFirmFlexibleFlowingFocusedForcefulForgivenFortifiedFortunateFreeFriendlyFulfilledGentleGenuineGiftedGlowingGood-naturedGracefulGraciousGratifiedGroundedGrowingGuardedHappyHarmoniousHealedHelpfulHeroicHighHonestHonorableHonoredHopefulHumbleHumorousImportantIn controlIncludedIndependentInfatuatedInfluentialInnocentInspiredIntelligentInterestedInvigoratedInvincibleInvitedJovialJoyfulJubilantJudiciousKindLearningLiberatedLightLightheartedLooseLovedLoyalLuckyMagneticMarvelousMasterfulMatureMeekMercifulMethodicalMindfulModestMotivatedNeatNobleNon-judgmentalObservantOpenOpen HeartedOrganizedOutgoingPacifiedPamperedPardonedPassionatePatientPeacefulPerfectPerseveringPleasantPleasedPopularPositivePowerfulPraisedPreciousPreparedPresent ProductiveProficientProgressiveProsperousProtectedPrudentPunctualPurifiedPurposefulQualifiedQuickRadiantRationalReasonableReassuredReceptiveRecognizedRedeemedRegeneratedRelaxedReleaseReliableReliefRelievedRememberedReplenishedResoluteRespectedRespectfulResponsiveRestoredRevitalizedRewardedRootedSatisfiedSecureSelflessSelf ReliantSensationalSensibleSensitiveSereneSettledSharingSimpleSkillfulSmoothSoothedSpiritedSplendidStableSteadfastStrengthenedStrongSuccessfulSupportedSustainedTactfulTeachableTemperateTenaciousTenderThankfulThoughtfulThrilledTolerantTranquilTriumphantTrustTrustingUnbiasedUnderstandingUnderstoodUndisturbedUnhurriedUniqueUnitedUnselfishUpheldValiantValuableValuedVirileVitalWarmWealthyWillingWiseWonderfulWorthwhileWorthyYieldingZealous

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What is art therapy?
Art Therapy is a human service profession that utilizes art media, images, creative art processes and patient/client responses to the created products as reflections of an individual's development, abilities, personality, interests, concerns and conflicts. Art Therapy practice is based on knowledge of human developmental and psychological theories which are implemented in the full spectrum of models of assessment and treatment including educational, psychodynamic, cognitive, transpersonal and other therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts, fostering self-awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing anxiety, aiding reality orientation and increasing self-esteem (AATA, 1999).
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) represents over 4000 art therapists who are dedicated to serving the mental health and educational needs of children, adolescents, and families.
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Why is art therapy used in schools?
When a student is distracted by emotional issues, learning disabilities, speech or language disorders, behavioral disorders or illness, even a well-trained, experienced teacher may be unable to get beyond these barriers to a student’s learning. As one professional on a student services team, the school art therapist is not only trained to recognize these barriers, but to diagnose problems and provide individualized interventions and services to help the student focus on learning.
Art therapy provides a visual and verbal approach to accessing and addressing student needs. As a natural mode of communication for children, it is a means of externalizing the complexities of emotional pain. Children rarely resist the art-making process because it offers ways to express themselves that are less threatening than strictly verbal means.
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What do school therapists do?
Consult
Collaborate with teachers, parents, and school personnel about learning, social and behavior problems
Help others understand child development and its relationship to learning and behavior
Strengthen working relationships between educators, parents, and the community
Educate
provide educational programs on: classroom management strategies, parenting skills, working with students who have special needs, teaching and learning strategies using art as informal assessment in the classroom, and child development and its relationship to cognitive and emotional growth
Research
evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management procedures, and other services provided in the school setting
conduct research to generate new knowledge to improve learning and behavior
Assess
Working closely with parents and teachers, school art therapists use a wide variety of techniques to evaluate:
cognitive and emotional development
academic strengths and weaknesses
school and classroom programs
personality development
Intervene
work directly with students and families to help solve conflicts and problems related to learning and adjustment
provide counseling and social skills training, behavior management, and other interventions
help families deal with difficult crises such as separation or loss
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How do art therapy, art education, school counseling and school psychology differ?
Art therapy helps to identify and reconcile emotional conflicts by emphasizing visual art processes and verbalization as the primary modality for assessment and treatment.
Art education teaches children how to produce, evaluate and look at art products.
School counseling services rely on verbal communication to understand the innermost feelings of students.
School psychology emphasizes evaluation and placement of youngsters for diagnostic and prescriptive purposes.


Many helping professionals in schools have shared responsibilities as members of a treatment team. The goal of a treatment team is to create meaningful identities and produce high-quality outcomes for the student population.
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What students should receive art therapy services?
Art therapy is valuable for all students, but especially for those experiencing difficulty at school because of personal crises, disabilities, and behavior. Such students may be in regular education, special education, and alternative education programs.
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How is art used in the art therapy process?
In the art therapy process, children are encouraged to visually represent their thoughts and feelings, such as conflicts, wishes, and memories. Utilizing their artwork and verbalizations, they are helped to understand how they function as individuals and as part of a family and group system. Art therapy treatment in schools is art expression that lends itself to exploration, and as a result, to the adjustment of individuals to life.
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Do art therapists in schools need state teaching certificates?
Situations vary. Since art therapists do not teach courses, a state teaching certificate may not be needed. A state license in art therapy, if available, may suffice. If a state license is not available, the state may consider the credentials of ATR-BC, as meeting the criteria equivalent to teaching certification in a specialized area of education. These credentials are the terminal credentials for the practice of art therapy, as set forth by the American Art Therapy Association and the Art Therapy Credentials Board. However, in states that do not offer licensure in art therapy, or when the ATR- BC is not accepted, professionals may need to obtain teaching credentials to work in schools. This presents difficulty for art therapists because most states do not offer certification in the field of art therapy. In these cases, certification in any educational area may be considered by individual school districts. State art therapy chapter organizations may want to consider developing official guidelines for state departments of education and local school districts. Such guidelines would make it possible for art therapists to easily fit into an official job code and classification.
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How are art therapy programs and services in schools funded?
Federal funds for special students such as the disabled and alternative education students can be designated for art therapy through funding sources of the local school district, as long as eligible candidates for treatment are identified and there is a qualified staff art therapist to provide art therapy. Funds for all students may also be obtained from monies allocated through local school budget sources such as tax dollars or business support of programs and services. Grants, too, provide excellent vehicles for funding art therapy.

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What are the salaries for art therapists in schools?
Salaries for art therapists in schools are commensurate with other professionals in schools, including teachers and psychologists.
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How does one become an art therapist in schools?
Art therapy requires specialized graduate preparation. A Masters degree is the entry level. One approach is a four year college degree with at least 15 semester credits in psychology (including developmental and abnormal psychology) and a Master's degree in the field of art therapy. Another approach is a Master's degree in psychology or an allied field plus/including 21 units of graduate art therapy studies. Bachelor degrees in art therapy are available but not necessary. Beyond the Master’s level, is a registration/credentialing process, ATR-BC. Contact the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) for guidelines.
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Where is art therapy being used in schools?
Recognizing the strengths and advantages of art therapy, public and private schools across the nation have begun using services. The Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami, Florida, which has embarked on this educational frontier since Janet Bush founded and developed the program in 1979, believes the gains to be realized are considerable. Miami's program has comprised of twenty therapists who provide services to over 500 K-12 students. Miami's program is a model for several programs in Florida and the nation.
A database of art therapists working in schools is being developed to strengthen the advancement of art therapists working in schools. For art therapists who are interested in participating in a database, contact Janet Bush.
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What will it take to make art therapy a routine service in schools?
The current convergence of education and health care reform, along with the movement in the human service arena toward service integration models, provides a timely opportunity to redefine student services in schools. Art Therapists` unique knowledge and skills can assist in meeting today’s challenges to help children become more receptive to academic involvement and can help to maximize their social and emotional potential.
As a specialized discipline, it is possible for Art Therapy to stand at the nexus of these reform movements. However, it will be necessary to bridge several gaps which exist in the efforts to establish the notion that art therapy belongs in the schools: (a) improving the state certification/credentialing requirements for art therapists working in schools; (b) establishing consistent curriculum methods in graduate level art therapy preparation; (c) developing national guidelines for comprehensive school art therapy; (d) eliminating the biases of administrators, parents, and educators toward the use of therapeutic methods in educational settings; (e) strengthening the fiscal necessities that foster school student services; (f) helping art therapists to develop a clear role and purpose for art therapy in schools; (g) developing the employability skills of art therapists; (h) improving the availability of research on school art therapy outcomes; and (i) enhancing the marketing and promotion of school art therapy.
Making art therapy a routine part of school student services will require the above changes in attitude and behavior with the help of graduate school educators, art therapist practitioners, parents, teachers, school administrators, and other agents in a position to offer help. The end result should be movement toward school art therapy for all children who need it.

Counseling as an Art: The Creative Arts in Counseling (3rd Edition) (ACA) (Paperback)by AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOC (Author)

Editorial Reviews
Review
“The third edition of Counseling as an Art provides myriad practical suggestions for how to use the creative arts in counseling and serves as a reminder that there are a variety of venues to precipitate growth–no matter how diverse the life experiences of the counselor and client may be. This book is an outstanding contribution to the profession and to the work of counselors in all settings!”
-David Capuzzi, PhD, LPC
Johns Hopkins University
Professor Emeritus, Portland State University

“This book is truly a unique combination of history, theory, and application. Dr. Gladding provides wonderful examples of the types of media available, the rationale for using specific art forms, and strategies for work with a variety of populations. I have used previous editions of this book in a course on expressive arts in counseling and students always give it rave reviews. I consider it a ‘must have’ and a wonderful resources for faculty members, students, and practitioners.”
-Pamela O. Paisley, EdD, University of Georgia
From the Back CoverIn the third edition of this much loved text, Dr. Gladding demonstrates how music, dance, imagery, literature, drama, and humor can be used--independently and complementary--in counseling on primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Clients of all ages and cultural backgrounds will benefit from the clinically tested techniques presented in this inspiring book. Counseling as an Art is sure to become a treasured resource that you will reach for time and time again in looking for new ways to enhance your skills and effectiveness as a helping professional.

Using Art as Therapy by Doctor Tate

Using Art as Therapy
by Doctor Tate
Say counseling or therapy to most people and the image that comes to mind is of someone in a quiet room, talking with a counseling professional, discussing problems. And while it's true many counseling sessions do take that form, there are also a number of other counseling techniques that bring strong, positive results. One such approach is using art as therapy.Art really isn't that surprising as a form of therapy when you think about how artistic people often talk about their art. Whether they express themselves through painting, music, dance or writing, artists frequently acknowledge the affect of their moods on their art.Similarly, who hasn't felt his own mood affected by an artistic endeavor -- a song or piece of music that brings an emotional reaction each time you hear it? A painting you've viewed that made you feel sad or happy?Emotions and feelings have always been a part of the world of art. Many of the great works of art were produced under stress, out of depression and frustration, or as a result of a strong need to communicate. The paintings of Vincent Van Gogh are one strong example of this, Picasso's "Blue Period" another. When we are dealing with stress and depression, for example, art can become a valuable tool used both to inspire and to serve as a medium through which our innermost thoughts and feelings can be expressed.Nonverbal WorldArt therapy is both art and therapy. It is the use of drawing, painting, and sculpture in therapy to help someone get to those inner feelings. Sessions are conducted by a trained therapist, but they differ from art lessons in that the process of creating is stressed over the finished product. Developing artistic skills is not the goal and a person need not have artistic abilities to benefit from art therapy.In art therapy, art is used as a meeting ground of inner and outer worlds. It can be a means to reconcile conflicts or foster awareness and personal growth. We have all experienced times when words just get in the way, or inadequately express what we are feeling. Moving away from verbal expression toward a graphic representation of we're experiencing often yields surprising results and insights to our internal state. It is not unusual for unresolved needs or forgotten memories to surface spontaneously in the images produced. Too often, in this society dependent on cell phones, computers and TV, we underestimate the effectiveness of nonverbal communication.There are other advantages to using art as therapy. One is that it gives a permanent representation of the situation, allowing the client and therapist to review what was expressed weeks or months after the session. Creating art may also help someone relax and build a better rapport with the therapist. In more traditional counseling sessions, people are often anxious about what to say. Drawing, however, is often less threatening than verbal self-disclosure.Yet another advantage of art therapy is that the therapist can use drawings to aid in the process of diagnosis and treatment planning. Progress in therapy can often be monitored by reviewing the changes in a client's art work.Art therapy programs come in a variety of forms. In larger institutions there may be expensive equipment such as canvas, easels and kilns. Such materials may be beneficial, but aren't necessary. Some of the most therapeutic and rewarding sessions have been conducted using a broken pencil and a scrap of paper.Some art therapy programs are conducted in a group setting, while other times the therapist may determine that individual sessions are more beneficial. Similarly, sessions are sometimes highly structured, addressing a specific issue with clear objectives. In other cases, a therapist may encourage more spontaneity, encouraging the participant to draw whatever he chooses with few, if any, suggestions from the therapist. Together, client and therapist will then attempt to interpret the drawings.Many counselors believe creativity and imagination are important aspects of the therapeutic process. Art therapy has proven to be an ideal technique to tap into both. For more information on the use of art therapy, try a search on the Internet, or visit the psychology section at your local library or bookstore for the many books published on this topic.Dr. Tate is a psychologist at Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia, the nation's oldest public hospital.

Vicky Barber's Art Thearapy home page

Welcome to Vicky Barber’s Art Therapy Home Page!
This page will hopefully answer some questions you may have about Art Therapy, what exactly it is and who may be able to benefit from it. If you have any specific questions, I will be happy to answer them for you. I can be contacted by email at: vicky@vickyb.demon.co.uk

What is Art Therapy?
At some point in their lives, people may find themselves overwhelmed by the intensity of their emotions which are difficult to face either by themselves or with others. Art therapy offers an opportunity to explore these intense or painful thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment. It involves using a wide variety of art materials, for example paints, clay and batik, to create a visual representation of thought and feelings. Art Therapy can be an individual activity but is often used very successfully in group situations.
Who is it for?
It’s for everybody.
For managers and staff under pressure
For people who are generally stressed and overworked
For people with mental health problems
For people with severe learning difficulties
For children and young people who have problems conformingin school and with personal problems at home
For people who feel they are problem free but would likethe opportunity to explore issues within themselves
What skills do you need?
The simple answer is none. Art therapy requires no artistic ability. The Art Therapist offers guidance and support and the opportunity to explore issues of concern using a variety of art materials.
Why invest in Art Therapy?
As an individual, on a personal level it could be used as a means of exploring inner issues. It is a safe way to express strong and sometimes sensitive or destructive feelings. It can be used for stress and anxiety management. To enhance communication between individuals, groups or professional teams. It is used to explore change. It is of particular benefit to people experiencing difficulties with written and verbal communication. As a professional manager of vulnerable people in the community, Art Therapy could be used to instil confidence and promote life enhancing change in the people for which you have responsibility.
Some clients views on Art Therapy
"It’s not about being an artist, it’s about using visual symbols to explore feeling and emotions.....it’s about seeing feelings, making them visible to yourself".
"There’s a beauty that is free to grow, an expression that can be extended, a space that is fun, safe and good to be in, that’s art therapy".
"It is the process that is important, not the product".
"I’m interested to see how my mind works - that part of my mind I’m not conscious of."
About Vicky
I have recently taken early retirement from my job as a college lecturer in Further Education. My role within the college was that of a creative arts lecturer and Art Therapist. I worked in the child care section and my main focus was to raise students’ awareness of not only the product but more importantly the process of creativity and the crucial and finite development which takes place when the children involve themselves in the arts. Our students were continually on placement within nurseries and schools and part of my job was to enable them to develop skills and ideas so they in turn would be better equipped to interact with the children. As an Art Therapist, I ran groups in the community, in a day care centre and within the college, working with a variety of people including carers, teachers, social workers, artists, people with severe mental health problems and people with severe learning difficulties. The outcome of this work was an extremely successful annual exhibition of all the work generated by all these groups. Currently I run individual art therapy sessions in a primary school with children who have behavioural problems, as well as private family sessions.

for some examples of group therapy

for examples of the different artistic methods which can be used

for information about Art Therapy exhibitions
All text and pictures have been reproduced with the consent of the participants

Can art change society?

9. Can art change society?
In times of cultural upheaval or change, art can reflect the society in which it was made. Artists around the world have used their work to raise issues about racism, sexism, consumerism, injustice, and war. To address issues of injustice, some produce works that criticize oppressive governments or political leaders. Some feminists and artists of color critique white-male domination of the art world and society. Artists who break with artistic traditions often do so to criticize the art world and sometimes extend that criticism to other institutions in society as well. In these cases, the purpose of art may become political or be used as a form of protest.
Activity
Note to teacher: It is recommended that you preview these images because some may contain content that might be disturbing to your students.
View the following images and read the background information about the artists:1. Willie Cole Stowage 2. Jacques Lipchitz Prometheus Strangling the Vulture II 3. Adrian Piper The Mythic Being; I/You(Her) 4. Jana Sterbak Vanitas: Flesh Dress for an Albino Anorectic 5. Paul Thek Hippopotamus from Technological Reliquaries 6. Kara Walker Endless Conundrum, An African Anonymous Adventuress7. Andy Warhol 16 Jackies
Discussion questions:Do any of these artworks make you uncomfortable? Why do you think the artists chose to create such work?
Do you agree that art can change society? Why or why not?
Writing activity:Select one of the artists presented here and research his/her life and work. Write a one-page personal response to the artwork presented in this section based on your research.
For further study:Identify an issue or event that is being addressed by the selected artist, then find a book, article, or song about the same topic. Compare the written material or song to what they see in the artist’s work.
Resources:Related works of art (online version)Related works of art (downloadable PDF version)©2004 Walker Art Center