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In art therapy, the UK Professional Body states that the 'art media' provide the 'primary mode of communication' (BAAT, 2004,1), yet in my review of the art therapy literature I found that considerably more focus has been placed on the one hand in exploring the artist/client's relationship with the mostly visual end product of the making process, the image or art-work, and on the other hand, in exploring the client-therapist relationship. The literature revealed clear gaps concerning the material dimension of the art therapy dynamic and the embodied nature of the communication that happens with the use of art media. My thesis interrogates the plastic, material basis of the art therapy relationship. In this way my research attempts to address the somewhat under-researched dimension of the role of materials, and relationship with art media, as the 'primary mode of communication' in art therapy. I address the implications of this material language to the psychotherapeutic relationship. My thesis contributes to knowledge across a number of dimensions, including arguing for a promotion of the importance of the relationship between the art media and the person in art therapy theory and practice. My thesis argues for materials to be recognized as agents in the making process and as protagonists in the therapeutic relationship. The thesis synthesizes literature from other cultures and disciplines, such as neuro-biological literature, to interrogate and to inform gaps in art therapy theory by rebalancing the focus to lnclude theory relevant to the making with art materials and thus acknowledging their role as protagonists in the psychotherapeutic relationship. This thesis makes a number of relevant recommendations in relation to art therapy practice, ethics, training and research.

Experiencing trauma in childhood can have a pervasive impact on child development. There is evidence to suggest that non verbal creative therapies aid the processing of traumatic memories and therefore present as a child centred treatment option for children who have experienced trauma. Art therapy is known to be an effective intervention for children who have experienced trauma however the outcomes of delivering art therapy interventions in specific contexts are not yet well researched. The present study sought to investigate the efficacy of school based art therapy as an intervention for children who have experienced psychological trauma. The study explores what areas of adjustment are achievable and how school based art therapy contributes to this adjustment. A multiple case study analysis was conducted to explore the experiences of three pupils who had attended art therapy interventions at their schools. Each case study used semi structured interviews, post intervention, to gather the views of the pupil, art therapist, a member of school staff and the pupil‘s parent / guardian. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and the results are presented as thematic network maps. The cross case synthesis revealed that after attending school based art therapy the pupils demonstrated positive adjustment in a range of areas. The thematic analysis suggested that the pupils had a greater understanding of themselves, increased resilience skills and a belief in a positive future. School based art therapy was found to be a wholly child centred therapeutic experience for the pupils, with the data suggesting that this child centred experience was facilitated by the process of the therapy, the non verbal creative art making and the context of delivery. This study provides the initial evidence to suggest that school based art therapy is an effective intervention for children who have experienced developmental trauma and presents avenues for future research.

The research process illustrates the interaction between the therapist and the neuropsychological impaired client in the therapeutic context where we utilised drawing and painting as a creative medium I descn'be the interaction from a systems paradigm New paradigm research is used as the researcher is included in the research findings. The focus is on new meanings that the therapist and clients generated. Three case studies are descn'bed in this study. A circular description is given of the use of drawing and painting in therapy. The losses that the clients suffer are described and explained to make sense of the interaction. The use of art is described and incorporated in the therapeutic process as creative exercises were important ways to connect with the clients. This study illustrates that creativity should always be part of the therapeutic endeavour, especially when understanding the verbal expression of the client is difficult. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The research process illustrates the interaction between the therapist and the neuropsychological impaired client in the therapeutic context where we utilised drawing and painting as a creative medium I descn'be the interaction from a systems paradigm New paradigm research is used as the researcher is included in the research findings. The focus is on new meanings that the therapist and clients generated. Three case studies are descn'bed in this study. A circular description is given of the use of drawing and painting in therapy. The losses that the clients suffer are described and explained to make sense of the interaction. The use of art is described and incorporated in the therapeutic process as creative exercises were important ways to connect with the clients. This study illustrates that creativity should always be part of the therapeutic endeavour, especially when understanding the verbal expression of the client is difficult. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This research intended to explore and describe a self-injuring adolescent girl‘s experiences of using graphic symbolic analogue drawings as an alternative coping skill for emotional expression and a creative adjustment with regard to her problems. This study investigated concepts/themes from literature, regarding the phenomenon of self-injuring in adolescents; and explored theoretical aspects of the use of art/analogue drawing as part of a Gestalt therapeutic process. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews before and after the therapeutic drawing interventions, by observation and feedback from the participant. Data was analysed and interpreted against the background of the participant‘s problems, focusing on themes described in literature and experiential moments of awareness/reframing. Conclusions and recommendations are made; indicating shortcomings as well. This research may contribute to the knowledge base with regard to drawing techniques as alternative therapeutic intervention and also the value thereof for finding of immediate emotional release for patients. / Hierdie navorsing het beoog om ‗n selfbeserende adolessente meisie se ervaring van die gebruik van grafiese, simboliese analogiese-tekeninge as hanteringsvaardigheid vir uitdrukking van emosionele probleme en alternatiewe kreatiewe aanpassingstegniek te ondersoek en te beskryf. Die studie het konsepte/temas oor die fenomeen van selfbeserende gedrag by adolessente in die literatuur; asook teoretiese aspekte in die gebruik van kuns/analogiese-tekeninge as deel van ‗n Gestaltterapeutiese proses ondersoek. Data is versamel by wyse van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude voor en na die tekenintervensies, deur observasies en ook terugvoer vanaf die deelnemer. Data is geanaliseer en geïnterpreteer teen die agtergrond van die deelnemer se persoonlike probleme met die fokus op temas in die literatuur en momente van eksperiële bewuswording en herformulering. Gevolgtrekkinge en aanbevelings is gemaak; insluitend tekortkominge in die studie. Die navorsing mag bydra tot die bestaande kennisbasis met betrekking tot teken-tegnieke as alternatiewe intervensies en ook die waarde daarvan vir onmiddellike emosionele verligting vir pasiënte. / Social Science / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

This research intended to explore and describe a self-injuring adolescent girl‘s experiences of using graphic symbolic analogue drawings as an alternative coping skill for emotional expression and a creative adjustment with regard to her problems. This study investigated concepts/themes from literature, regarding the phenomenon of self-injuring in adolescents; and explored theoretical aspects of the use of art/analogue drawing as part of a Gestalt therapeutic process. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews before and after the therapeutic drawing interventions, by observation and feedback from the participant. Data was analysed and interpreted against the background of the participant‘s problems, focusing on themes described in literature and experiential moments of awareness/reframing. Conclusions and recommendations are made; indicating shortcomings as well. This research may contribute to the knowledge base with regard to drawing techniques as alternative therapeutic intervention and also the value thereof for finding of immediate emotional release for patients. / Hierdie navorsing het beoog om ‗n selfbeserende adolessente meisie se ervaring van die gebruik van grafiese, simboliese analogiese-tekeninge as hanteringsvaardigheid vir uitdrukking van emosionele probleme en alternatiewe kreatiewe aanpassingstegniek te ondersoek en te beskryf. Die studie het konsepte/temas oor die fenomeen van selfbeserende gedrag by adolessente in die literatuur; asook teoretiese aspekte in die gebruik van kuns/analogiese-tekeninge as deel van ‗n Gestaltterapeutiese proses ondersoek. Data is versamel by wyse van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude voor en na die tekenintervensies, deur observasies en ook terugvoer vanaf die deelnemer. Data is geanaliseer en geïnterpreteer teen die agtergrond van die deelnemer se persoonlike probleme met die fokus op temas in die literatuur en momente van eksperiële bewuswording en herformulering. Gevolgtrekkinge en aanbevelings is gemaak; insluitend tekortkominge in die studie. Die navorsing mag bydra tot die bestaande kennisbasis met betrekking tot teken-tegnieke as alternatiewe intervensies en ook die waarde daarvan vir onmiddellike emosionele verligting vir pasiënte. / Social Science / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)