Grief and the Healing Arts: Creativity As Therapy (Death, Value and Meaning) [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Sandra L. Bertman (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0895031892 | ISBN-13: 978-0895031891 | Edition: 1

For nearly three decades, Sandra Bertman has been exploring the power of the arts and belief symbols, metaphors, stories to alleviate psychological and spiritual pain not only of patients, grieving family members, and affected communities but also of the nurses, clergy and physicians who minister to them. Her training sessions and clinical interventions are based on the premise that bringing out the creative potential inherent in each of us is just as relevant perhaps more so as psychiatric theory and treatement models since grief and loss are an integral part of life. Thus, this work was compiled to illuminate the many facets that link grief, counseling, and creativity. The multiple strategies suggested in these essays will help practitioners enlarge their repertoire of hands-on skills and foster introspection and empathy in readers. Among the contributing authors are physician and nurse writers (Aaron Lazare, Bill Lamers, Laurence Schneiderman, and Cortney Davis), psychologists, photographers, and art and music therapists skilled with adult and child populations (Barbara M. Sourkes, Nancy Fried, and Elsa Dorfman). Essays on the art and thoughts of Kaethe Kollwitz and Edvard Munch, on traditional religious practices and the latest internet interventions, on puppets, music and film all enrich the dialogue. The four sections of this anthology are (1) The Arts, Personal Griefs, Professional Roles; (2) Some Ways Caregivers Use the Arts for Themselves and Those They Companion; (3) Lessons from Cultures Old and New; and (4) Basic Needs of Grieving People. This provocative array of insights and techniques is further punctuated with rich fiction, poetry, photography, and visual art meant to address the impasses the moments of disconnection encountered in the human acts of caring and is geared to refuel even the most seasoned therapist.

Editorial Reviews

Review

It is important to realize how loss can lead into creativity and that this can, in its own way, be enormously healing. In the Hospice Movement we are continually assessing how even the dying can have creative moments. Some of the chapters in this book, for example that on Munch, give important messages for living as well as dying. Dame Cicely Saunders, OM., DBE., FRCP, Chairman, St. Christopher's Hospice --Sister Frances Dominica, Director, Helen House, A Hospice for Children

This book is a rare find, one that truly does show us ways to use the healing arts to help grievers transcend loss. Every and any therapist or educator will gain so much of value here from practical techniques to soaring theoretical insights. Grief and the Healing Arts is on its way to becoming a classic. It is a must have book. --Ken Doka, Ph.D., Past President, Association for Death Education and Counseling

This book is worthy of a cover-to-cover read by professionals. It also needs to be dissected. Explore the subjects that catch your attention from your professional perspective. Read what looks familiar, but let them speak to you in new ways. Be challenged by the approaches and perspectives that are new to you or may, on the surface, seem to out of your skills league or your professional definitions. The book will redefine both for you. This book is mandatory reading if you feel your clients, parishioners, patients or students deserve the best. --Rev. Dr. Richard B. Gilbert, BCC, Executive Director of The World Pastoral Care Center

About the Author

Sandra Bertman, Ph.D., recently relocated to Boston College Graduate School Work where she is Research Professor of Palliative Care. Formerly Professor of Humanities in Medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical and Graduate Nursing Schools, Dr. Bertman was founding director of the program of Medical Humanities and the Arts in Healthcare. Awarded the Distinguished Professional Service Award by the University at large, she also was the recipient of the American Journal of Hospice Care s Award for extending her classroom and counseling techniques to patients, families and staff in hospice, hospital, and other therapeutic settings, and was named Outstanding Death Educator by both the Association of Death Education and Counseling and the National Center for Death Education. Her publication and media credits include the classic handbook Facing Death: Images, Insights and Interventions (1991), the documentary film Dying (PBS-TV, 1974), the column Staying Soulful for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine s bulletin, and the project Care for the Caregivers addressing grief dynamics and HIV/AIDS burnout in Africa.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 442 pages
• Publisher: Baywood Publishing Company; 1 edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895031892
• ISBN-13: 978-0895031891
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,508,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book reviews the role of expressive arts in grief work, July 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Grief and the Healing Arts: Creativity As Therapy (Death, Value, and Meaning Series) (Paperback)

"Grief and the Healing Arts: Creativity as Therapy" is one of the most significant books I have ever read as a creative arts therapist. Professionals who use the arts in their grief work with clients, and individuals who have used the arts to come to terms with their own grief are represented. Poignant photagraphs underscore the articles. The editor, Sandra Bertman, PhD,is an expert in thanatology. She is Professor of Humanities in Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Bertman brings both a strong theoretical base and a respect for the anecdotal to her choices of articles for this book. I strongly recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book on Grief, October 28, 2009

By 

Margaret H. Ostrowski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grief and the Healing Arts: Creativity As Therapy (Death, Value, and Meaning Series) (Paperback)

It is informative although I would have liked more actual clinical interventions for Mental Health Counselors.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My poetic throughts on the loss of my mother, May 22, 2009

By 

Sonya Tupone Lloyd "Author of Call Me Sonya G... (Halethorpe, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grief and the Healing Arts: Creativity As Therapy (Death, Value and Meaning) (Hardcover)

MOTHER DEAR

(Oh mother dear, I miss you like never before)

Where are your warm hugs?
Have they cracked and wilted in your empty arms

Where are your sweet smiles?
Have they dried and shriveled on your cold lips

Where are your funny jokes?
Have they turned to dust and lay at your feet
To whom will comfort me?
To whom will dry my tears?
To whom will I lay my head,
When no one else is near?

(Oh mother dear, I need you more than ever)

Where have you been?
Have you finally been laid to rest

Where are you now?
Are you flying high with the angels?
OR
Are you down in the deep dark well?

Call Me Sonya Grey: A Young Girl's Poems about Death, Life and Adolescence