Art Therapy
Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
Art Therapy Studio Class | Introduction to Art Therapy | Ethics
Facilities | 2008 Annual Symposium | Hearts of Healing

Marywood's new undergraduate Art Therapy program gives students the opportunity to participate in pre-professional art therapy education. The emphasis on a strong liberal arts education coupled with the development of studio art skills and knowledge in the behavioral and social sciences prepares students for graduate level education in art therapy at Marywood or another institution of higher education. Marywood also offers a graduate course of study leading to a Master of Arts in Art Therapy.

Art Therapy is a human service profession that uses art as a means for exploration and expression of human problems and potentials. Art Therapy practice is based on knowledge of human development, psychological theories, and the creative process.
Art Therapy is an effective treatment for the developmentally, medically, educationally, socially, or psychologically impaired; and is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic institutions. Populations of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds are served by art therapists in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats.

The undergraduate Art Therapy program at Marywood University provides students with foundational courses in art therapy history, theory and methods, as well as practicum experience in the field. A registered art therapist provides course instruction and advisement. Using simple art materials the Art Therapist helps individuals:

• express feelings too difficult to talk about
• increase self esteem and confidence
• develop healthy coping skills
• identify feelings & blocks to emotional expression & growth
• access an avenue for communication
• make verbal expression more accessible

Art Therapy is for people of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds who are seeking personal growth or may be struggling with:

• AIDS/HIV
• trauma
• self abuse
• separation & loss
• learning disabilities & ADD
• bereavement
• addictions
• mental illness
• serious medical illness

For more information on the Art Therapy program please contact Dr. Barbara Parker-Bell, ATR-BC, LPC, at parkerbell@marywood.edu

Art Therapy Studio Class
The Art Therapy Studio course provides instruction in a studio model of art therapy and focuses on development of an artist as therapist approach to treatment.  Through studio experiences, class discussions, readings and projects students gain an understanding of studio methods in art therapy, art media properties and the relevance of an artist identity in clinical art therapy practice.

Finalizing fall ‘06 semester, all students participated in a student exhibition title: “YOU ARE HERE,” a metaphor for the phases of life and moments shared with others. The exhibitionand art creations were a self-reflection of the semester.  The opening was held Dec 1, 2006, in the gallery space provided in the Shield Center for Visual Art at Marywood University. The Exhibition provided students with an opportunity to share their Studio Class experience with family and friends and the opportunity to collaborate with peers in a group show.

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Introduction to Art Therapy
Introduction to Art Therapy is designed to stimulate thought and discussion of thephilosophical, pragmatic and historical bases of art therapy.  Essential questions that are the foundation of the art therapy profession are explored through lecture, discussion, and art making experiences resulting in students beginning to develop individual philosophies and articulate personal responses related to the diverse viewpoints and practices of art therapy. Opportunities to present art therapy approaches are provided.

The art-making task was in the directive of a plaster mask. Using, “Artist, Therapist, and Human Being” from author Bruce Moon, students were asked to process this for themselves and decide where each on begins and ends and create a create in response.

Facilities
Fall of 2006 the Art therapy department expanded and acquired a new classroom! We were able to receive not only another space to create work and hold class lectures, but a facility with three computers and Internet access. Check out the picture gallery for photos of the both classrooms; the Shields Center for Visual Art, home of the art therapy classrooms; and Insalaco Center for Studio Arts, home of studio art classrooms and gallery.

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2008 Annual Symposium

DIAMONDS & GLASS:
REIMAGING THE ETHICS OF ART THERAPY
11TH ANNUAL SPRING ART THERAPY SYMPOSIUM

The focus of this symposium is an exploration of modes of ethical decisionmaking
in relation to professional dilemmas aced by art therapists and colleagues in other
helping disciplines. Through a combination of didactic, experiential, and artistic instruction,
attendees will identify the roots of their ethical thinking processes in an effort to clarify issues of professional responsibility.

Presenter:
Bruce L. Moon,
Associate Professor, Chair of the Art Therapy department, and the Director of
the Graduate Art Therapy Program at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee.

Download the PDF for full details and the registration form.

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HeARTS of Healing
Marywood University has developed an exciting opportunity for students and community alike through a $2,500 grant from Roche Pharmecueticals. The HeARTS of Healing project, a result of the grant, has developed a training model for undergraduate and graduate art therapy students while providing local cancer survivors a way to heal the emotional wounds inflicted by their disease.

• In Northeastern Pennsylvania, more then 90,000 people or their families have been touched by cancer. Art therapy has been recognized as an effective method of healing the emotional scars left in the wake of disease.
• Collaborating with the Northeastern Radiation Oncology Center (NROC) of Scranton, students are acquiring:
• Knowledge in medical art therapy strategies by engaging in a supervised practicum experiences.
• Exposure to a speaker series featuring art therapists experienced in oncology work
• Contact with medical staff that possess valuable knowledge of the population.
• The opportunity to learn through hands-on experience from experienced art therapists and each other.
• Artwork was created with use of beads, art journals, watercolors, model magic, and especially 12 x 12 canvas panels. These panels will become part of an art show Friday, May 4th at the Radisson Hotel Grand Ballroom featuring the work of cancer patients, survivors, and family members.
• Patient participants were offered a means of self-expression and self-discovery with a renewed sense of empowerment. The community as a whole is given the opportunity to view this creative exchange through the exhibition and reception in May.
  

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