Graduate Counselling and Applied Psychology (GCAP) 651

Overview

Throughout GCAP 651: Art Therapy History and Theory, students will acquire an understanding of how art therapy developed into a distinct profession in both North America and Europe by initially looking at the works of key figures, theoretical approaches, and current trends in the field. They will have the opportunity to see how art therapy has proliferated and expanded beyond its early psychoanalytic roots, as art therapists increase the number of theoretical lenses through which they perceive the practice of art therapy. New challenges will be addressed by looking at art therapy from a broader perspective, from its beginnings as a treatment modality for the mentally or emotionally disturbed to its gradual transformation into a more diverse profession. Students will also learn how the foundations of art therapy are buttressed by many disciplines whose applications extend into many settings. Selected course readings and assignments will allow students to develop their own looking and listening perspectives as well as to consider the role of creativity in art therapy.

Outline

The course is divided into 13 weekly lessons, structured as follows:

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Key Components
• Lesson 2: Roots of the Art Therapy Profession
• Lesson 3: American Pioneers of Art Therapy
• Lesson 4: Art Therapy and Its Emergence Internationally
• Lesson 5: Transference, Aesthetic Countertransference, and Art as Mediating Object
• Lesson 6: Art Therapists as Artists
• Lesson 7: Psychoanalytic, Analytic, and Humanistic Approaches to Art Therapy
• Lesson 8: Humanistic and Psychoeducational Approaches to Art Therapy
• Lesson 9: Art Therapy, Neuroscience, and the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders
• Lesson 10: Family Art Therapy - History and Process
• Lesson 11: Theories of Creativity
• Lesson 12: Emerging Trends in the Field of Art Therapy
• Lesson 13: Designing Your Personal Theory of Art Therapy

Course Evaluation

To receive credit for GCAP 651, students must submit all of the course assignments. The passing grade for the course is B- (70%). The assessment structure for GCAP 651: Art Therapy History and Theory is based on the following course activities, with the percentage weighting of each activity as indicated. Your final grade for the course will be a composite mark based on your performance in these course activities.