Architects of Art Therapy: Memoirs and Life Stories

The richness in the art therapy profession stems from those who pioneered its development. This book is a creative, spirited collection of personal histories of art therapists who have been prominent in shaping art therapy. These art therapists differ vastly from one another in backgrounds, temperaments, talents, approaches to the work, and visions of art therapy. Part I, 'Beginnings,' is composed of chapters about art therapy's pioneers who were practicing before 1960. In many respects, these individuals were the progenitors of art therapy. Part II, 'Growth,' covers the second wave of art therapy leaders who entered the field in the 1960s. Although art therapy was still little known at the time, this decade covers the establishment of the profession's first journal and the beginnings of art therapy training programs and ends with the organization of a professional association. Some who entered the field at this time were students of those in Part I. Part III, on 'Expansion,' is composed of AATA Honorary Life Members who began their art therapy careers in the 1970s. During this period, art therapy training programs proliferated, so that some benefited from newly-established formal art therapy education. Others had been working in related areas, such as art and psychology, and moved into art therapy in the early 1970s. In their various venues of influence, the authors presented here are highly accomplished visionaries whose dedication to the development of art therapy has been remarkable. Through their chapters, these 'architects of art therapy' chart the development of an important mental health profession; they serve as an inspiration for those involved in art therapy today and for generations of art therapists to come.