The Creative Arts in Counseling. INSTITUTION American Association for Counseling and Development, Alexandria, VA
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 340 984 CG 023 940 AUTHOR Gladding, Samuel T. TITLE Counseling as an Art: The Creative Arts in Counseling. INSTITUTION American Association for Counseling and Development, Alexandria, VA. REPORT NO ISBN-1-55620-091-9 PUB DATE 92 NOTE 136p. AVAILABLE FROM American Association for Counseling and Development, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304 (Order #72033, $23.95). PUB TYPE Reports - General (140) EDRS PRICE MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available from EDRS. DESCRIPTORS Art Therapy; *Counseling Techniques; Counselor Role; *Creative Art; Dance Therapy; Drama; Humor; Imagery; Literature; Music Therapy; Play; Visual Arts ABSTRACT In this book counseling approaches with a variety of populations are examined using these cteative arts: music; dance/movement; imagery; visual arts; literature; drama; and play and humor. It is noted that all of these arts are process-oriented, emotionally sensitive, socially directed, and awareness-focused. Chapter 1 discusses the history, rationale, and benefits of using the arts in counseling. Chapters 2-8 use a systematic format to describe: (1) the introductory background about particular art form; (2) the premise behind using the art form discussed; (3) the general practice of employing the art in counseling settings;(4) the unique ways this art is utilized with special populations such as children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, groups, and families; and (5) art-related exercises. Chapter 9 discusses trends in counseling and creative arts, focusing on research, education, identity, and the interdisciplinary movement. Each chapter opens with a short poem by S. T. Gladding, and includes references. The book concludes that creative arts in counseling are currently undergoing a transition that promises to be long-term and prodlctive, with major efforts underway on a grass-roots level to promote the recognition of creative arts therapies in a more positive way as a profession. (ABL) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Counseling as an Art: 1111.1.11 The Creative Arts tT InCounseling MIPININI Samuel T. Gladding,PhD U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCETHIS (Z Office of Educations! Research and Improvement MATERIAL IN MICROFICHEONLY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) HAS BEEN GRANTED y 4 This document hes been reproduced ai received from the person or organization '11(111/141 originating it 10A1a,"A` Minor changes have been made lo Improve reproduction Quality (Ig docu Points of view or opinions stated in this RESOURCES ment do not necessarily representofficial TO THE EDUCATIONAL OERI Position or policy INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." CD C-) gm COPY AVAILABLE Counselingas anArt: The Creative Arts in Counseling Samuel T. Gladding, PhD nAmerican Association for Counseling and Development 5999 Stevenson Ave., Meson* le, VA 22304 is Copyright (0 1992 by the American Association for Counseling andDevelopment All rights reserved. American Association for (.:ounseling and Devel(pment 5999 Stevenson Avenue Alexandria, VA 22 304 0:ver desio hy Sarah Jane Vaklez Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gladding, Samuel T. Counseling as an art; the creative arts tn counseling / Samuel T. Cdadding. Itwkides bibliographical references. ISBN 1.55620.091-9 I. Counseling.2. AttsTherapeutic use. I.Title. BFO37.CR i5 1992 15ti'.3dc20 91-1029 C11' Printed in the Llnited States of America .1 'To Jim Comm, Robbin McInturff, Mariam Cos Per, Laurie Smith, and the other helping professionals at Adult and Child Develop- mental Specialists in Birmingham, Alabama, who taught me the art (4' good counseling and with whom I shared 6 wonderful years. Contents ix Preface xi Acknowledgments About the Author xiii CHAPTER 1 History, Rationale, and Benefits ofUsing the Arts in Counseling History of the Arts in the Helping Professions 2 Rationale for Using the Arts in Counseling 6 Advantages and Limitations of the Arts inCounseling 7 9 Summary CHAPTER 2 Music and Counseling 13 Premise of the Use of Music in Counseling 15 Practice of the Use of Music inCounseling 16 Music in Counseling With SpecificPopulations 18 Music in Counseling With Other Creative Arts 22 23 Summary 24 Exercises CHAPTER3 Dance and Movement in Counseling 27 Premise of the Use of Dance and Movement inCounseling 28 Practice of the Use of Dance andMovement in Counseling 29 Dance and Movement in CounselingWith Specific Populations 31 Dance and Movement in CounselingWith Other Creative Arts 35 36 Summary 37 Exercises i) vi SAMI TI T.(.11 AoDINt CHAPTER 4 Imagery and Counseling 41 Premise of the Use of Imagery in Counseling 42 Practice of the Use of Imagery in Cminseling 44 Imagery in Counseling With Specific Popuktions 46 Imagery in Counseling With Other Creative Arts 48 Summary 50 Exercises 5 CHAPTER 5 The Visual Arts and Counseling 55 Premise of the Use of Visual Arts in Counseling 56 Pmtice of the Use ot Visual Arts in Counseling 57 Visual Arts in Counseling With Specific Populations 59 Visual Arts in Counseling With OtherCreative Arts 65 Summary 66 Exerc ises 67 CHAPTER 6 Literature and Counseling 71 Premise of the Use of Literature in Counseling 72 Practice of the Use of Literature in Counseling 74 Literature in Counseling With Specific Populations 76 Literature in Counseling With Other Creative Arts 80 Summary 82 Exercises 63 CHAPTER 7 Drama and Counseling 87 Premise of the Use of Dramain Counseling 89 Practice of the Use of Drama in Counseling 9i Drama in Counseling With :.ipecitic Populations 94 Drama in Counseling With Other Creative Aits Summary 97 Exercises 96 (.0)Itenb vii CHAPTER 8 Play and Humor in Counseling 101 Premise of the Use of Play and Humor in Counseling 102 Practice of the Use of Play and Humor in Counseling 104 Play and Huimr in Giunseling With SpecificPopulations 107 Play and I lumor in Counseling With Other Creative Arts 113 Summary 114 Exerc ises 117 CHAPTER 9 Trends in Counseling and the Creative Arts 121 Research 122 Education 123 Identity 124 Interdisciplinary Movement 125 Summary 127 Preface Counseling is a creative process exemplified in such diverse activities as the formulation of theories, the timing of interventions, and the changes clients make. Effective counselors are aware of the multidimensionalqualities of the counseling process and utilize them effectively in the uniqueness that is their own style. One aspect of counseling that promotes the best within the helping context is the use of -he creative arts. By their very nature these arts foster a different way of experiencing the world, and when employed in clinical situations, they help counselors and clients gain different perspectives on problems kind possibilities. In this book, counseling approaches with a variety of populations are examined using the following creative arts: 1. music; 2. dance/movement; 3. imagery; 4. visual arts; 5. literature; 6. drama; and 7. play and humor. All these arts are process-oriented, emotionally sensitive, socially directed, and aware- ness-tocused. They can be applied in numerous forms for working with clients mer the life span. They enable people trom diverse backgrounds to develop in ways that are personally enhancing and enjoyable. Counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, clergy, and psychiatrists in virtually any work setting from schools to mental health centers willfind the contents of these pages useful because of the pragmatic nature of the material covered. Chapters 2 through 8, with their systematic format, will be especially helpful and will allow readers to learn 'a great deal in a relatively brief timeand in a uniform manner. These chapters contain the following: 1. introductory background about the particular art form; 2. the premise behind using the art form discussed; 3. the general practice of employing the art in counseling settings; 4. the unique ways this artisutilized with special populations such as children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, groups, and families; 5. a summary; 6. art-relatedexercises; and 7. references. X SAME 11 T. GLANING In addition, the first and last chapters of this hook contain informationon the history and rationale t)t using artistic methods in general andcurrent trends in using the arts in counseling, respectively. Thus these chapters enable readersto gain a global view of the field. Overall, practitioners will tind this book "user friendly," with the ideas disclosed having been tiekl-tested. By carefully reading this hook and applyingits precepts, you as a counselor will become better informed and skilled, and more appreciative ot the art ot counseling. Acknowledgments Writing a book is never a solo operation. Thus, I wish to acknowledge the individuak who have helped me in this process. First, I am indebted to the AACD Media Conunittee for accepting my proposal for this project. Dr. Richard L. Hayes (Universityof Georgia) gave me particularly good ideas ondeveloping the text. Next, 1 want especially to thank Elaine Pirrone, AACD Acquisitions and Development Editor, who gave ineexcellent input, feedback, and encouragement. She exemplifies thebest within the counseling profession, and she was always timely and informative in working with me. I am also grateful for the input of reviewers Drs. Howard S. Rosenblatt (University of Hartford), Stephen G. Weinrach (Villanova University), and Jo Anna White (Georgia StateUni- versity). They were honest and straighttOrward in their appraisal of the manuscript,and because of their constructive criticism, this work is tar better than it would hav,'been. Furthermore, I wish to thank my clients and colleagues over the years tor sharing so many practical ideas with inc.1 would never have become interested in the field of the arts in counseling if those withwhom I interacted had not shown me the usefulness of such methods. Finally, as always, I am grateful to my most understanding and supportive wife, Claire. She has nourished me and this book with her suggestions, understanding, and dedication. I am truly a fortunate individual. BEST COPY AVAILABLE L About the Author Samuel T.