The fundamental principle that reliability is a property of scores and not of instruments provides the foundation of a meta-analytic technique called reliability generalization (RG). RG studies characterize the reliability of scores generated by a given instrument and identify methodological and sample characteristics that contribute to the variability in the reliability of those scores. The present study is an RG of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI). Reliability estimates were obtained from 19.8% of studies using the SASSI. Bivariate correlations revealed strong, positive correlations between SASSI score reliability and score variability of the Subtle Attributes (r = .877, p < .05) and Family History (r = .892, p < .05) subscales and between score reliability and ethnicity for both the Family History (r = .683, p < .05) and Tendency to Involvement in Correctional Setting (r = .76, p < .05) subscales.

The goal of this research was to understand the potential challenges and benefits of an integration between art and sex therapies. Three interviews were performed: two with certified art therapists, one with a certified sex therapist, in order to understand how each of these professionals has chosen to approach issues of sexuality and creative expression within his or her practice. The data from the interviews was critically compared within and between each interviewee, producing three overarching themes that provide a framework for understanding the potential benefits and challenges of this integration. These three themes are defined as: 1) The importance of theoretical training and scope of practice in unlocking sexuality; 2) Opening the door to sex and sexuality in clinical work using creative expression; and 3) Concerns and challenges for the clinician using artistic expression with sexuality. Through discussion of these themes, it was found that there is great potential for an integration of the two therapies, provided clinicians have access to appropriate training, as well as a deeper understanding of individual attitudes toward sexuality as provided by cultural experience.

This study uses heuristic research as the basis for an art exploration into the experience of exposure to traumatic events leading to complex trauma, from early adolescence to adulthood. This paper reviews the existing literature about Islamic religious fundamentalism, political violence and war. The literature on risk factors and the effect on this type of trauma psychology, human rights and women’s rights are discussed. The literature review considers psychological treatment considerations and existing art therapy literature. In the data gathering phase the researcher employs the Art Therapy Trauma Protocol to examine the residual of violent experiences; this includes a series of paintings created using the bilateral stimulation process. After a period of incubation, the data is further culled and analyzed by using filtering with suggested symbolic meaning from various theorists and literature and personal interpretation drawn from dominant themes. This analysis happened during Illumination and Explication phases of the study. The finding of this study supports that the effect of the traumatic life experiences during adolescence has caused splitting in the researcher. This research asserts that using the art therapy method (ATTP) in combination with the heuristic methodology has helped the researcher to gain clarity about herself and provided a new perspective and schema about self and the world. The research process has helped the researcher to gain a holistic sense of herself as thriving after the traumatic life experiences rather switching between the split selves of the victim and survivor.

This paper is an account of the discoveries made during a heuristic study in which the researcher sought clarification of the personal meaning of caring for others as an art therapist in contrast with the experience of caring for oneself. After reviewing the potential dangers of burnout and compassion fatigue and examining various self-care strategies the researcher explored the personal meaning of this topic utilizing heuristic methodology. The process of collecting data consisted of a daily art-making task with varied media covering a two-week period. The researcher was able to highlight the importance of incorporating regular use of self-care into a daily routine to counterbalance the stressors, both personal and those associated with the art therapy profession.

This study explores the use of Helen Landgarten’s family art assessment in helping to inform therapists’ work with families. The study endeavors to evaluate a pilot project in which director of the Helen B. Landgarten Art Therapy Clinic, Dr. Paige Asawa, MFT, ATR-BC, implemented the Landgarten family art assessment at a local clinic with five families and involved family track clinicians through observation and discussion to inform their clinical treatment of families. Through program evaluation using a survey and an art-based research procedure, the study investigates family track clinicians’ experiences, recommendations, and opinions of the family art assessment. Ten family track clinicians participated in program evaluation in this study. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of participants’ survey answers and art responses served to solidify whether these clinicians found the family art assessment project beneficial to their clinical work with families. A synthesis of the literature, survey analysis, and art analysis reveals the value of having art therapists conduct family art assessments as an informative consultation for clinicians assessing and treating families. Study results may contribute to more formal inclusion of the family art assessment in assessment procedures at this local clinic. These results hold valuable implications for redefining the role of the art therapist as assessment expert, using art therapy to promote collaboration among mental health professionals, and ultimately improving the quality of clinical family care.

This paper explores the psychological concept of identity and how popular culture may be used as a theme in art therapy for exploring and repairing life story. The literature review defines identity from varying perspectives with emphasis on awareness of parallels between popular culture and the client’s personal story. These parallels may offer art therapists a framework of images and memories useful specifically to exploring identity development with clients. The case study places client’s identity into the context of popular culture unique to the experiences of the client at varying life stages.

This study sought to examine art’s ability to illuminate the biopsychosocial-cultural- spiritual impact of chronic medical disease. Chronic disease participants were self- selected and consisted of clinical supervisors, staff, and psychotherapy interns at a community-based mental health clinic in Los Angeles. Quantitative questionnaire data and art-based response data, both imagery and word descriptions, were examined. Data analysis combined with the synthesized literature revealed the complex biopsychosocial- cultural-spiritual interactions and interdependencies with chronic disease management. Findings supported art-based data’s potential to complement quantitative questionnaire data by providing additional insights into a holistic lived experience. Art and word analysis revealed themes and identified factors such as shame, uncertainty, and isolation, which affect health-related quality of life and treatment compliance. This research demonstrated arts-based data’s potential as a holistic healing, revealing, and diagnostic tool and exposes the need for further research into the benefits of integrating art therapy and including art-based data in the treatment and assessment of chronic disease. Keywords: chronic, persistent, medical disease, illness, syndrome, condition, disability, art as therapy, art therapy, creative arts therapy, art expression, arts-based research, clinical art psychotherapy, holistic questionnaire, art directive, art, adherence, compliance, biopsychosocial, biological, psychological, social, socio-environmental, cultural, spiritual, diabetes, asthma, cancer, medical model, medical art therapy, evidenced-based practice, complementary and alternative therapy, hospital, inpatient, outpatient.

This research examines identity formation and the various issues of acculturation of Latino adolescents. The first part of the research includes a review of the literature on various aspects of identity formation such as developing a cultural/ethnic identity and issues of acculturation such as contextual stressors and maladaptive coping. The literature review also looks at the relationship between acculturation and its effects of Latino adolescent identity formation; specifically noting the positive role biculturalism serves within that relationship. The second part of the research includes the application of a research modality, using questions derived from the literature review to examine the above mentioned issues within a focus group of Latino adolescents ages 12-17. Data, which included discussions, comments, and art work, was collected over the course of three sessions. In each session art was the primary means utilized by the adolescents to explore issues of their identity. The data was analyzed and the findings reflected the process of the adolescents’ bicultural identity formation. One significant finding was the individuality and variety, as seen in the art works, of these adolescents definition of their bicultural identity. Also, another significant finding was how these adolescents’ strong positive ties to their parents’ culture, country of origin, and immigration story seemed to provide them with a strong sense of ethnic identity. This in turn seemed to serve as buffer against the stressors of acculturation, as evidenced by these adolescents’ reports through group discussions and as evidenced in the art work.

This research is a qualitative case study of a client in art therapy treatment with a history addiction and complex trauma symptoms. The study explores the clients artwork and themes emerge in the analysis process that include splitting, diminutive figures, preoccupation with death, abuse and violence. The study explores the client’s dissociative thinking and self-injurious behaviors, within the context of cultural stigmas attached to being labeled an addict. The findings suggest that art therapy treatment can address the client’s addiction while providing a space to explore early childhood and adolescent traumatic experiences.

This paper researches the techniques of mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, and artistic exploration as strategies for self-care among therapists. Literature indicates self-care is an important and essential practice for mental health practitioners to best serve their clients. Literature on the pro-active strategies of mindfulness meditation and guided imagery include benefits and techniques in implementing self-care. The research study involves a case study utilizing a systematic process to research the effects of a daily meditation and guided imagery practice for the therapist during at two week period. Data was gathered and analyzed from journal and art responses. The data revealed immediate and long-standing positive changes tophysiological states, emotions, cognitive states and outlook through the implementation of all the strategies. All techniques prompted feelings of calmness and relaxation, while guided imagery techniques promoted changes in outlook and utilized problem solving. The art products served to map the experience and revealed themes of containment and release throughout all techniques, indicating the strategies success in cultivating emotional regulation through cultivating present moment attention. Thus, the research demonstrates the unique contribution these diverse approaches play in supporting the practitioner in successful and necessary practices of self-care.