Psychotherapy, Literature and the Visual and Performing Arts

Abstract

This book explores the relevance of literature and the performing and visual arts for effective clinical psychotherapy. There is a growing interest in the use of the arts in psychotherapy, in part due to an increasing awareness of the limitations in verbal communication and scepticism towards traditional forms of medical treatment. Gathering together perspectives from international practitioners this volume embraces the value of a range of mediums to psychotherapy, from film and photo-therapy to literature and narrative therapy. Based on theoretical studies, clinical expertise and experiential learning, authors offer detailed guidelines on the value of various art forms in practice. Intro; Contents; Notes on Contributors; List of Figures; List of Tables; 1: Introduction: Psychotherapy and the Arts-A Practitioner's Guide; Film Media; Visual Arts; Narrative Writing and Theatre; References; Part I: Literature and Narrative Therapy; 2: Edvard Munch as Psychotherapist: "The Horse Cure"; References; 3: Langerian Mindfulness and Its Psychotherapeutic Implications: Recomposing/Decomposing Mindlessly Constructed Life Stories; Personal Motivation for Interest in the Arts and Psychotherapy; Implications and Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals; References 4: Film, Mental Health and TherapyIntroduction; GK; AV; DB; Films and Society; Films and Psychiatry; Therapy in Films; Guidelines for Health Practitioners; References; 5: The Power of the Performing Arts in Healthcare; Personal Motivation in Writing This Chapter; Background; The Stigma Attached to Mental Illness; Overprescribing of Psychotropic Drugs to Treat Psychological Problems; A Brief Overview of Dramatherapy; Definition of Dramatherapy; Research on Dramatherapy; Therapeutic Effect of Writing; Practical Tips for Mental Health Practitioners; References Part II: Theater and Dance Perspectives6: Theater and Psychology: A Symbiotic Relationship; Personal Interest in Theater and Psychology; The Three Questions; Heroism; Guidelines for Mental Health Professionals; References; 7: The Dance of Presence: Mindfulness and Movement; Personal Motivation and Passion Toward Dance and Psychotherapy; Defining Mindfulness; Three Core Elements of Mindfulness; Intention; Attention; Attitude; Cultivating Mindfulness; Dance as Informal Practice; Summary of Dance Research; Dance as Therapy; Mindful Dance; Benefits of Mindful Dance for Clinicians Future Directions and ConclusionReferences; 8: Benefits of Theatrical Improvisation in the Training of Psychotherapists; Introduction; My Personal and Professional Journey into Improv; Core Rules of Improv; Life, Improv and Psychotherapy: Perspectives; Uses/Benefits of Improv; 1. Improv Trains Clients in Life Skills; 2. Improv Benefits the Personal Lives of Therapists; 3. Improv Techniques Serve as Clinically Useful Tools in Therapy; 4. Improv Training Enhances Therapist Effectiveness; The RfG Training Program for Therapists; Development of RfG Training; Description of RfG Training Evaluation of RfG TrainingAcquisition of Improvising Skills; Acquisition of RfG Clinical Skills; Discussion; Indicants of Personal and Professional Growth; Literature Review of the Uses and Benefits of Improv Training for Psychotherapists; Comparisons of (a) RfG and (b) Romanelli et al. Improv Training on Therapists; Conclusion: Practical Guidelines for the Effective Use of Improv in Therapy; References; Part III: Visual Arts, Music and Drama; 9: The Development of a Contemplative Art Program for Adolescents and Adults: Challenges and Unexpected Benefits