Jul 25, 2024

10:00 am - 12:00 pm
CEUs: $ 25
No CEUs: $ 15.00
1.0 CEU available for:

  • Social Workers
  • Nurses

REGISTER HERE

SummaryJoin Direction Home in collaboration with the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology (CCHP) for a fascinating lecture and engaging art activity! Art Therapist Stacy Blecher joins Dr. Jennifer Bazar and Tony Pankuch of the CCHP to delve into the history and practice of art therapy, followed by a collaborative group art activity where participants can paint on two murals that will be displayed in the collaborators' buildings. "History & Practice of Art as Therapy" will launch a series of events surrounding the upcoming exhibit launch, "Art as Therapy?", coming September 2024 to the CCPH.

Art therapy as a licensed practice is fairly new to the scene. This presentation will outline the origins of the discipline of art therapy with particular emphasis on developments in Northeast Ohio. Key pioneers and their contributions will be introduced. These examples will also make clear the two approaches to art therapy that developed in parallel and continue to influence the field today: art as therapy and art in therapy.

Art Therapy combines creative processes with psychological theories, integrates creative expression with therapeutic techniques to support emotional and psychological well-being. It aims to enhance mental well-being, through artistic expression, helping individuals communicate emotions, reduce stress, and develop self-awareness. This session will also explore the use of art within professional boundaries and highlight the risk and limitations of practicing art as a therapeutic tool without formal training.

Objectives:

 

  • Attendees will be able to describe the two different tracks that defined the early origins of art therapy and continue to influence the field today
  • Attendees will be able to discuss the local history of the development of art therapy in Northeast Ohio
  • Understand the historical development and foundational principles of art therapy
  • Identify safe and effective ways to incorporate art into therapeutic practice within professional boundaries
  • Recognize the limitations and potential risk of using art interventions without formal art therapy training