A systematic approach to case presentation in art therapy
Date
1979
Authors
Leonard, Katherine Marie
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Abstract
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy using patients' artwork as a vehicle for therapy and as a source of information. The literature in the field abounds with case studies but the lack of a consistent systematic method for presenting case material hinders the accumulation of comparable data necessary to make generalizations about the work of art therapists and to build a theoretical framework for the profession.
In this study a model was developed to allow for the systematic collection, analysis and presentation of data. The model was applied to data collected from two art therapy cases over a three and a half month period and included art works, taped interviews, personal logs, structured self-reports, and the therapist's case notes. The data were organized into several sections: (1) background ; (2) summary of sessions; (3) sample sessions; (4) structured self-reports and (5) analysis. The analysis section was arranged as follows: (a) statement of problem and hypotheses; (b) collection and interpretation of data, including: relation to environment, approach to work, materials, technique, and content; (c) restatement of problem and new hypotheses.
With some reservations noted, point-by-point assessment indicated that the model and categories were useful in organizing and assessing case information and in facilitating comparison between the cases presented.