Drawing on Difference Art Therapy with People who have Learning Difficulties

This text reveals how art therapy can support and validate the emotional and mental health needs of people with learning difficulties. Case studies present work with adults and children with differing degrees of difficulty such as personality disorder, autism or severe learning difficulties and discuss the needs of people with learning difficulties who have experienced traumas such as rape or bereavement. Particular emphasis is placed on service evaluation and standards and on the client's personal experience. Contributors discuss practical, professional and political issues such as: the practical challenges of providing an art therapy service within and beyond the hospital setting; the similarities and differences between art therapy and other allied professions such as music and dramatherapy; clinical effectiveness and clinical supervision.

This book reveals how art therapy can support and validate the emotional and mental health needs of people with learning difficulties. Case studies present work with adults and children with differing degrees of difficulty such as personality disorder, autism or severe learning difficulties and discuss the needs of people with learning difficulties who have experienced traumas such as rape or bereavement. Particular emphasis is placed on service evaluation and standards and on the client's personal experience.Contributors discuss practical, professional and political issues such as:- * the practical challenges of providing an art therapy service within and beyond the hospital setting * the similarities and differences between art therapy and other allied professions such as music and dramatherapy * clinical effectiveness and clinical supervisionDrawing on Difference brings together for the first time discussion from leading professionals in this increasingly popular area of specialisation within psychotherapy.