Countering the usual practice of using art therapy within a pre-existing
psychological framework, this text stresses aesthetics and advocates a new
notion of poiesis or "shaping" as central to art-making. Knill and the Levines,
all from the European Graduate School, focus on intermodal therapy,
crystallization theory and polyaesthetics. They offerChallenging traditional therapeutic approaches where the art is often
secondary to the psychological model, Principles and Practice of Expressive
Arts provides a coherent theoretical framework for an expressive arts therapy
practice that places the process of art-making and the work itself at the
center. This book lays the philosophical foundation for a fresh interpretation
of art-making and the therapeutic process by re-examining the concept of
poiesis. The authors clarify the methodology and theory of practice with a
focus on intermodal therapy, crystallization theory and polyaesthetics, and
give guidance on the didactics of skills acquisition. Case studies of clinical
practice and guidance on supervision and training in intermodal expressive arts
therapy complement the theoretical chapters. Combining philosophy, theory and
practice, this book is an essential text for students and academics in the
field and for practicing expressive and specialized arts therapists.
