Title:
Art Therapy and Neuropsychology:A Review of Literature( file size: 349k )

Author:
Brake, B. M.

Medium Type:
Project

Keyword(s):
art therapy; art; creativity; neuropsychology; neuropsychological assessment, change, or results; neurology; neurological change; therapy; psychotherapy; or counselling

Supervisor(s):
Dr. Paul Jerry

Abstract:
Art Therapy and Neuropsychology: A Review of the Literature Author: Brandy Brake Supervisor: Dr. Paul Jerry The purpose of this project was to conduct a literature review to establish the possibility of a connection between neuropsychological change and art therapy process. This review discussed the areas of art, creativity, and psychotherapy as each relates to art therapy and neuropsychology. A long history precedes the idea that the creative process promotes positive change and growth in a manner that provides psychological benefits (Deaver, 2002; Guttman & Regev, 2004). Studies have revealed that the creative process leads to a conscious experience and neurological processing within the brain (Solso, 2000; Zamierowski, 1980). Additionally, art therapy exercises the brain and increases quality life through sensory stimulation and self-expression (Stewart, 2004). However, the exact link between art therapy and neuropsychology is relatively unknown. This review addressed five areas relevant to art therapy and neuropsychology: neuropsychology and psychotherapy; art, creativity, and neuropsychology; art, creativity, and art therapy; art therapy and psychotherapy; and neuropsychological and art therapy assessments. Research demonstrates that psychotherapeutic intervention leads to neurological changes in the brain (Baylis, 2006; Lewis, 1992). Studies also reveal that creativity performance reflects upon brain activity and neurological functioning (Katz, 1983, 1986; Solso, 2000). In addition, research suggests that art and creativity is a valuable component of art therapy as it enables the effective release of conscious and unconscious process promoting healing (Pifalo, 2002; Schaverien, 1992). Finally, studies indicate that art therapy has successfully incorporated psychotherapeutic concepts to facilitate the therapeutic process and ground art therapy in psychotherapy theoretical framework (Kaplan, 2000; Hanna, Hanna, & Keys, 1999; Malchiodi, 2003b). The research included in this review illustrates that art, creativity, and psychotherapy are related to art therapy as well as neuropsychology. Thus, it is possible to make inferences about art therapy and neuropsychology. Drawing on these relationships one may consider the possibility that art therapy should produce neuropsychological changes. However, the exact connection between art therapy and neuropsychology is unknown at this point. Based on this literature review and lack of primary research, the author proposed a quantitative study to address the question “Does art therapy impact the neuropsychological assessment and results of individuals obtaining therapy?”. Addressing the proposed question will establish the relationship between art therapy intervention and neuropsychological change as well as further neuropsychology, art therapy, and the general realm of counselling psychology. References Baylis, P. J. (2006). The neurobiology of affective interventions: A cross-theoretical model. The Clinical Social Work Journal, 34, 61-81. Deaver, S. P. (2002). What constitutes art therapy research? Art Therapy, 19, 23-27. Guttmann, J., & Regev, D. (2004). The phenomenological approach to art therapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 34, 153-162. Hanna, F. J., Hanna, C. A., Keys, S. G. (1999). Fifty strategies for counseling defiant, aggressive adolescents: Reaching, accepting, and relating. Journal of Counseling & Development, 77, 395-404. Kaplan, F. F. (2000). Art, science, and art therapy: Repainting the picture. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Katz, A. N. (1983). Creativity and individual differences in asymmetric cerebral hemispheric functioning. Empirical Studies of the Arts, 1, 3-16. Katz, A. N. (1986). The relationships between creativity and cerebral hemisphericity for creative architects, scientists, and mathematicians. Empirical Studies of the Arts, 4, 97-108. Lewis, L. (1992). Two neuropsychological models and their psychotherapeutic implications [Electronic version]. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 56, 20-31. Malchiodi, C. A. (2003b). Clinical approaches to art therapy. In C. A. Malchiodi (Ed.), Handbook of art therapy (pp. 37-39). New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Pifalo, T. (2002). Pulling out the thorns: Art therapy with sexually abused children and adolescents. Art Therapy, 19, 12-22. Schaverien, J. (1992). The revealing image: Analytical art psychotherapy in theory and practice. London: Tavistock/Routledge. Solso, R. L. (2000). The cognitive neuroscience of art: A preliminary fMRI observation. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 7, 75-85. Stewart, E. (2004). Art therapy and neuroscience blend: Working with patients who have dementia. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 21, 148-155. Zamierowski, M. J. (1980). The integration of psychoanalytical and neurophysiological approaches into an art therapy framework for the treatment of children with learning disabilities. Pratt Institute Creative Arts Therapy Review, 1, 31-36.