Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy [Paperback]

Laury Rappaport (Author), Ph.d Judith A. Rubin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1843107600 | ISBN-13: 978-1843107606 | Edition: 1

Focusing provides an effective way of listening to the innate wisdom of the body, while art therapy harnesses and activates creative intelligence. This new, Focusing-based approach to art therapy integrates the two concepts so that the client can deepen their relationship with their inner self, allowing their mind to provide images that helpfully reflect their emotions and enabling them to express and understand these feelings in a meaningful way.

The book explores how the relationship between art therapy and Focusing is mutually beneficial: art therapy brings Focusing an array of methods, tools, and materials for self-expression, just as Focusing offers art therapy an added dimension of connecting the imagination with mindfulness and the bodily felt experience. The author explains how Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy can be adapted to a variety of clinical populations, including those with severe psychiatric illness, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and life-threatening and chronic illness in order to cultivate acceptance and compassion towards self and others.

Integrating theory, clinical practice, and guided exercises, this accessible book will be of interest to art therapists, focusing therapists, social workers, psychologists and counselors, as well as trainers and students.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy by Laury Rappaport is brilliantly conceptualized and written and will be useful to any mental health worker. Integrating theory, practice and case examples, the author successfully achieves her goal of integrating art therapy with Focusing with application to a wide variety of clients and settings. Her exercises and case examples reveal her to be a gifted therapist and her writing affords her the opportunity to share her creative talent with others. A must read." ---Barbara F. Okun, PhD Northeastern University and Harvard Medical School; author of Effective Helping: Interviewing and Counseling Techniques, Seeking and Connections in Psychotherapy

In a time the fields of neuroscience and somatic therapy increasingly inform therapeutic intervention, Laury Rappaport has written a book that is both timely and passionate in its message. As we continue to understand the relationship between the brain and emotion, sensory work or the “felt sense” is central to recovery and repair of both psyche and spirit. Rappaport provides a needed and comprehensive resource on why infusing the process of Focusing with art therapy is natural combination and one that creatively brings together mind and body in treatment. Every therapist who uses creative methods in their work will benefit from the wisdom found throughout this volume.” Cathy A. Malchiodi, PhD, ATR-BC, LPCC, National Institute for Trauma and Loss, faculty, Lesley University, author of Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children, Handbook of Art Therapy, Expressive Therapies, Breaking the Silence: Art Therapy with Children from Violent Homes

"Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy is a major contribution to art therapy literature and practice. Laury Rappaport introduces a contemplative method and philosophy grounded in the body's felt-sense of experience and its innate and largely unrecognized wisdom. This intellectually provocative, yet thoroughly practical text, establishes Rappaport as an emergent leader in the art therapy world and author of a book that every student and art therapist must read in order to appreciate the depth and breadth of our discipline." ---Shaun McNiff, University Professor, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, and author of The Arts in Psychotherapy, Art as Medicine, Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul, Art-Based Research

About the Author

Laury Rappaport, PhD, ATR-BC is Associate Professor at Notre Dame de Namur University, California, USA, and has been teaching expressive arts therapy for over 25 years. She is a licensed mental health counselor and licensed family therapist in Massachusetts, a board certified art therapist with the American Art Therapy Association, and a certified focusing trainer with The Focusing Institute. She has pioneered the creation of Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy and Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts Therapy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (October 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843107600
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107606
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #540,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., ATR-BC, REAT is an Associate Professor in the Art Therapy Psychology Department at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA. She is a Focusing Coordinator with The Focusing Institute in NY. Dr. Rappaport pioneered and developed the theory and practice of Focusing-Oriented Arts Therapy (FOAT), that integrates Eugene Gendlin's Focusing with art therapy and expressive arts therapy.

Dr. Rappaport's formulation of Focusing-Oriented Arts Therapy is based on over 30 years of clinical application with adults, children, families, and groups with a variety of clinical issues including, depression, anxiety, trauma, health and wellness, cancer, self-actualization, etc. In addition, Dr. Rappaport integrates mindfulness and spirituality in her work. Dr. Laury Rappaport also taught at Lesley University's Expressive Therapies Program for 30 years, as well as at California Institute of Intergral Studies, Wheelock College, and SUNY at Buffalo.

She presents trainings in FOAT both nationally and internationally. Please consult her website, www.focusingarts.com for additional information.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible, Informative, and Inspirational! A MUST READ!, July 29, 2009

By 

Charli M. Henley "Charli Henley" (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy (Paperback)

Focusing is a great way to gain personal insight and create transformations. This is a MUST READ for anyone interested in art therapy, focusing, psychotherapy, or personal growth and change. Focusing helps individuals to take notice of and listen to the body's innate wisdom. It allows people to use their mind/body connection to foster self-growth. Art is a natural facilitator of this process. This is an excellent book to be read in conjunction with Gendlin's books "Focusing" and "Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy." But it is not necessary to have read those before reading Rappaport's book. Her book provides the foundation in focusing that beginners (like myself) need. It is easy to use because of its simple language and step-by-step organization. The explanation of the technique is supported with clinical examples including dialogue and client artwork. There are also chapters on how to adapt the technique to use with special populations, like trauma survivors and people with chronic illnesses. Even though the book is accessible enough for beginners, seasoned practitioners should also read it. Rappaport's incorporation of the arts with focusing is unique and the book is the first of its kind. I read every last word of this book. I couldn't put it down! I have already started using Rappaport's techniques for myself and have had cathartic, insightful, and inspirational experiences. Read it not just for your clients, but for yourself!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional book embracing inner wisdom , healing, creativity, November 14, 2008

By 

Eleanor Appleyard "M.A(.Creative Arts)" (Ma.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy (Paperback)

Dr Laury Rappaport's newly published book is too exquisite for words. Its beauty from the cover, throughout every page, is a treasure . The simplicity of her words of research and guidance on the pages read as if she were in the room with reader hearing her gentle voice and feeling her safety, truth and her deepest core belief of the healing power of "Focusing "accompanied with Art Therapy . What a treasure for the therapy profession, for Art Therapists, Focusing Practitioners, and all who seek soul depth guidance. Eleanor Appleyard, M.A.( Creative Arts)