Art, Science And Art Therapy: Repainting The Picture

Since its inception, art therapy has relied largely on theory 'borrowed' from psychotherapy. However, Frances Kaplan argues in her provocative book, it is time for art therapists to revise their approach. She urges art therapists to be more scientifically-minded in their research and in practice. Proposing that study of the findings of other disciplines is crucial to the development and reinforcement of the field of art therapy, she investigates research from an history, anthropology, evolutionary biology, medicine, neuroscience and psychology, and feeds it into our current understanding of art therapy. Frances Kaplan also examines the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of artistic expression to emphasize the importance of an art-based theory of art therapy. Art, Science and Art Therapy challenges the present condition of art therapy. It is a significant development in the debate about the basis of this discipline, and will be essential reading for all those working within the field.