Book Description

Art Therapy with Students at Risk: Fostering Resilience and Growth Through Self-Expression reflects the current research, legislation, and trends that impact the theory and practice of art therapy with diverse at-risk student populations. The book is divided into eight chapters and it includes twelve therapeutic techniques. The 12 therapeutic techniques are written in a lesson plan format which provide opportunities for children to express their thoughts and feelings coupled with confirmation that their art is important to them and to others. Chapter 1, “Adolescence,” examines the developmental period between childhood and adulthood. Chapter 2, “Alternative Schools,” describes the development of alternative schools in the United States through legislative reform, education reform, and civil rights. Chapter 3, “Alternative Education,” explores the catalyst for policymakers to make quality education a civil rights issue. Chapter 4, “Emotions and Learning,” investigates the relationship between emotions and learning and the impact of this relationship on academic achievement. Chapter 5, “Multicultural and Diversity Competence,” focuses on the changing demographics in the United States which have significant implications for the art therapy profession. Chapter 6, “From Risk to Resilience,” highlights the paradigm shift in resilience research away from the deficit, pathology-focused model of development, referred to as the Damage Model to the Challenge Model. Chapter 7, “Art Psychotherapy,” provides insight into the unique criteria that distinguishes it from other types of psychotherapy. Chapter 8, “Art Therapy with Students at Risk,” presents a foundational framework for developing and implementing an art therapy program within a traditional or nontraditional learning environment. This book is designed for art therapy students, professional art therapists, educators, administrators, and practitioners in the allied professions of counseling, social work, psychology, prevention, and human services.