A developmental approach to assessment in adult art psychotherapy

Author(s): Lyons, Sherry J.

Journal/Book: Arts in Psychotherapy. 1980; 7: 105-112.

Abstract: Describes the artwork and concomitant psychological issues of 4 normal developmental stages (Kinesthetic, Transitional, Pictorial, and Latency) of the child as applied to the assessment of the regressed adult's drawing. This type of assessment is considered to be the initial key to subsequent treatment because, like the drawings of the developing child who reflects his/her concerns in mastering the hurdles of each developmental stage, the mentally ill adult reflects in his/her artwork a regression to similar concerns, indicating the unresolved conflicts of a developmental phase in which he/she has been fixated. The present author explores the ways in which the understanding of the level of development portrayed in the adult psychiatric patient's drawing can aid the art therapist in effectively assisting the patient in reconstitution and/or resolution of conflict. (10 ref)

Note: use of drawings for assessment of developmental stage & concomitant issues; regressed adults

Keyword(s): Art therapy; developmental stages; regression defense mechanism; adults

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