What Do You See?: Phenomenology of Therapeutic Art Expression [Paperback]

Mala Gitlin Betensky (Author), Judith A. Rubin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995 | ISBN-10: 1853022616 | ISBN-13: 978-1853022616

The author presents a varied menu of ideas and experiences in many areas - in research, in diagnosis, and in psychotherapy, each using art media with patients of all ages. She integrates art, phenomenology and gestalt psychology, describing specific techniques and findings. Part I of the book lays out the theoretical foundations and the techniques; Part II addresses the formal components used in art therapy - line, shape and colour in their interrelated dynamics and discusses other aspects and modes of symbolic expression found in clients' work. Part III looks at symbolic expression through the scribble, offering a system of classification, diagnostic possibilities and case studies of work with eating disorders. Part IV focuses on art expression for art therapy diagnostics, including a method for qualitative diagnostics, and a first full diagnostic battery for adolescents.

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853022616
• ISBN-13: 978-1853022616
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,360,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What do you see?, August 31, 2000

By 

Jennifer Barnes - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Do You See?: Phenomenology of Therapeutic Art Expression (Paperback)

This book is unique in the sense that Mala Betensky applies phenomenological theory to the use of Art in Therapy. Until Mala wrote this book, there was little available for the phenomenologist to read in the use of art in therapy. As a therapist myself, and a phenomenologist, it is refreshing to read about the phenomenological use of Art in Therapy.

There is a wealth of Art Therapy literature using psychalalytic theory, and there is a small amount of work by brief and narrative therapists on the use of Art in Therapy. While there are a few journal articles, and a few chapters in books on the phenomenological use of Art in Therapy, Mala's book is the only one that I know of where a whole book is dedicated to Phenomenology.

As a therapist and researcher, I have found the second chapter very useful. In this chapter, Mala gives a clear description of a four step sequence that a therapist can take a client through. One begins with "pre art play", then shifts to "the process of art work", to "phenomenological intuiting", then the "what do you see? procedure". It is my experience, that these steps usually lead the client to a deeper sense of self understanding and also a sense of resolution. What emerges on the page can be unexpected, often providing a unique insight into the client's problem. In this process, unexpected solutions also emerge.

I have found Mala's process to be a very powerful theraputic tool, particularily when clients have sensitive concerns that they may have difficulty verbalising. For example, some clients, who have been abused as children, can be very reluctant to verbally describe their experiences. These clients are more comforetable drawing their experiences. They may also feel safer with the drawing process because it allows them to externalise the matter of concern. What they promised not to talk about, can sometimes be drawn.