The play of psychotherapeutic artistry and psychoaesthetics. Special Issue: Aesthetics and the creative arts therapies

Journal/Book: Arts in Psychotherapy. 1992; 19: 177-186.

Abstract: Describes therapeutic contact as an artistic process that evolves through psychotherapeutic play. During patient-therapist communication, sensory channels become potent organizers of images that offer guidance in the process of shaping transference and countertransference material. D. W. Winnicott's (1971) notion of primary creativity and transitional space serve as the organizing principles of the approach. The art form becomes an important meeting ground of patient and therapist and serves as an organizer of the transitional space. Therapists create a holding structure in each therapeutic encounter that mirrors the flow of aesthetic material from their patients. Two case examples illustrate such a process.

Note: psychotherapeutic play & psychoaesthetics in art therapy; art form & flow of aesthetic material between patient & therapist; art therapy patients

Keyword(s): Art therapy; psychotherapeutic processes; aesthetics ; adulthood

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