Therapeutic Uses of Art, Image & Symbolization for the Mental Health Clinician
 
(21 hours of CEC’s for each level, or 63 hours for all three levels) three-days, 9 am - 5 pm Introduction: Imagery and symbolism are essential guiding components in the fabric of life. Images arise spontaneously on multiple levels, permeating our experience, guiding our choices, and shaping our lives. These images contain a wealth of symbolic content that is all but invisible to most people within contemporary western culture. For in this culture, symbolic and imaginal experiences are often dismissed as “merely subjective” or “imaginary”. The loss of the ability to symbolize and to engage images in a meaningful way creates a void that may be seen in the lives of our clients and from which much human suffering may spring. Such maladies as addictions, eating disorders, obsessions & compulsions, relationship, and mood disturbances may be seen to carry forward in symptomatic form, a symbolic content. Clinicians will find their practice enhanced through increased awareness of how to engage effectively within the imaginal and symbolic realm as these manifest in their clinical experience. This training program is designed to help clinicians extend the reach of their therapeutic approach by engaging the symbolic and the imaginal within the clinical setting and to assist clients in accessing and utilizing their own inner resources. The presenters will provide an orientation to a range of basic to more sophisticated approaches to the phenomenon of imagery and symbolism in patient artwork, dreams, fantasy, and clinical circumstance. Art- and image-based interventions will be demonstrated that will increase sensitivity to, and receptiveness of, symbolic communication between client and clinician as well as between the client’s symptom and circumstance. The presenters will provide case examples and illustrate techniques that may help to amplify awareness, and engagement, of content that often otherwise remains inaccessible. Training Overview: The Therapeutic Uses of Art training program is designed to help mental health clinicians explore the benefits of art- & image-based interventions in clinical practice. This training program teaches participants how they may expand their knowledge & counseling skills by applying art- & image-based techniques to their practice thus helping clients better express themselves through visual, verbal, & symbolic means. Participants will gain an understanding of current theoretical orientations, applications, & techniques related to the implementation of art- & image-based clinical interventions. These skills may be utilized with children - adults & with individuals, couples, & families. Each level is cumulative, building on knowledge & skills from previous training sessions. Participants will be provided both didactic & experiential opportunities for learning. This tri-level training program occurs over three separate sessions. Twenty-one hours of continuing education credits are available for each three-day session or sixty-three hours for the completion of all three levels. Training classes are limited in size for optimum small group learning experience. LEVEL I - – Introduction & Theory The first level of training is a comprehensive introduction to use of art, image & symbolism in therapy. The importance of symbolic expression is illuminated through theory, research & case studies. In addition to being the foundation for this program, Level I, gives a better understanding about the art & images clients are creating and discussing in therapy & vast insight into the art therapy process. LEVEL II – Assessment & Applications This level includes projective & graphic assessments, applications; advanced techniques such as working with the resistant or “stuck” client & supervision related to therapeutic art techniques. Level I is a pre-requisite. LEVEL III - Advanced Clinical & Professional Skills The third level deals with the therapist/patient relationship through transference & counter-transference issues, working with the strengths of the clinician & client, as well as ethical issues pertaining to the therapeutic use of art, image & symbolism. Supervision related to therapeutic art techniques is provided. Levels I & II are pre-requisites. Training Objectives: LEVEL I – Introduction & Theory • Identify & comprehend the benefits of utilizing art- & image-based interventions & techniques in therapy. • Identify “normal” developmental stages & abnormal psychological functioning as manifested in artwork as well as graphic indicators of defense mechanisms. • Explore manifest and latent content in client artwork. • Understand how psychological theories may be used to provide a framework for the implementation of art & symbolic expression in therapy. • Comprehend & apply the use of two- & three-dimensional art media as they relate to affective states & the capacity to contain & regulate affect. LEVEL II – Assessment & Applications • Integrate defense mechanisms associated with stages of development & recognize varying levels of ego development & strength. • Integrate & articulate form & symbolic content as reflective of emotional issues associated with current clinical condition(s), personality development, ego development & transpersonal phenomena. • Demonstrate ability to utilize a battery of projective art assessments & tasks to generate a diagnostic impression that reflects client functioning, & implications for recommended treatment goals for individuals, couples, families, & group settings. • Identify art- & image-based techniques that may assist the “stuck” client move beyond words into affect. • Engage in supervision & discussion of patient artwork completed in sessions (Discussion will include examples from your practice). LEVEL III – Advanced Clinical & Professional Skills • Explore ethical issues pertaining client artwork, anonymity, display, & other uses. • Recognize & process transference & counter-transference issues through artwork. • Assess & integrate personal experiences in therapist/patient relationships. • Engage in supervision & discussion of patient artwork completed in sessions (Discussion will include examples from your practice). Training Outline: LEVEL I – Introduction & Theory Day One of Three - 9am Start Time Introduction & background Orientation to symbolic, image and imaginal approaches to psychotherapy The nature of symbol and image The symbolic approach Dialoguing with symbols and images Contemporary approaches Normal developmental stages of art making 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 3:00 Case examples 4:00 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Wrap up 5:00 End time Day Two of Three – 9am Start Time Working Symbolically Structures of art making materials 2 and 3-D Graphic defense mechanisms seen in patient artwork Image as emergent phenomenon 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 3:00 Art & Image-based techniques with case examples 4:30 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Wrap up 5:00 End time Day Three of Three - 9am Start Time DSM-IV-TR Lifespan of patient populations and graphic representations Depression & other mood disorders Anxiety OCD Eating Disorders Personality Disorders Medical Issues 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 4:00 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Conclusions & Evaluations 5:00 End time LEVEL II – Assessment & Applications Day One of Three - 9am Start Time Review of Defense Mechanisms Overview Projective Art Assessments 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential & case examples about assessment 2:30 Processing of experiential 3:00 4:00 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Conclusions & Evaluations 5:00 End time Day Two of Three - 9am Start Time Manifest & latent material Symbolic content vs. symbolic approach Art & Image-based techniques for resistant patients Patient-based imaginal approaches 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 3:00 Case examples 4:00 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Conclusions & Evaluations 5:00 End time Day Three of Three - 9am Start Time Review of participants’ cases & supervision 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 3:00 Case supervision 4:00 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Conclusions & Evaluations 5:00 End time LEVEL III – Advanced Clinical & Professional Skills Day One of Three - 9am Start Time Ethical issues pertaining to patient artwork, anonymity, display & other uses ATCB guidelines 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 4:00 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Wrap up 5:00 End time Day Two of Three - 9am Start Time Transference & counter-transference issues: Images, symbols & meanings The use of image to facilitate increased awareness between therapist and client 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 3:00 Case supervision 4:00 Questions & Discussion 4:45 Wrap up 5:00 End time Day Three of Three - 9am Start Time Case supervision Reflections & closure/termination issues 12:15 – 1:15 Lunch on your own 1:30 Experiential 2:30 Processing of experiential 4:00 Questions & Discussion 3:00 Reflections & closure/termination issues 4:45 Conclusions & Evaluations 5:00 End time Level I May 29-31, 2008; 9 am-5 pm Level II June 19-21, 2008; 9 am-5 pm Level III Oct. 23-25, 2008; 9 am-5 pm (21 hours of CEC’s for each level, or 63 hours for all three levels) Early registration: $450 for each level, if postmarked one month prior to workshop. Regular registration: $525 for each level. Sign up for all three levels: $1,200, a savings of $150. Co-presenter: Mark Dean, MA, ATR-BC, LPC is a board certified & registered art psychotherapist & licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of clinical experience. He currently provides clinical care to patients of all ages at the Main Line Clinical Affiliates and has been an Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University since 1990. Previous work experience includes addiction treatment at the Charter Fairmount Institute, the clinical coordinator of the Geropsychiatry Program at The Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment as well as community mental health & private practice. His volunteer work includes providing clinical intervention with violent & displaced youths in the Violence Postvention Program & at The Northern Home for Children, in Philadelphia. Mr. Dean has been the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Award for Artistic Excellence, & has received Pennsylvania Council of the Arts awards. Prior to his graduate training as a therapist, Mr. Dean was an artist in New York City. His work is featured in several prominent private & public national & international collections. shapeimage_2_link_0
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