Art Therapy Toolkit

It’s important to utilize adequate resource material for the most efficient and comprehensive treatment of clients.

The resources included are:

  • Patient handouts and worksheets

  • Beneficial websites for clinical growth

  • Psycho-educational materials

  • Art Therapy Material recommendations

  • Assessments and Analysis Tools

Patient handouts and worksheets offer continual education and practice, aka “homework” for clients between therapy sessions. Websites that offer clinical growth and recommended standards offer guidance for counselors conducting clinical sessions. Psycho-educational materials give evidence-based background context to specific diagnoses and conditions, and offer a basis of understanding the science behind the psychology. Art Therapy material recommendations give a general overview of common recommended items that Art Therapists use within the field; And the assessments and analysis tools recommended are meant to retain viability and reliability throughout the clinical process and maintain awareness on client progress through their healing journey.

Handouts and worksheets

The added handouts and worksheets are intended to add extra beneficial material for clients to utilize during and between sessions. Often I utilize them for homework activities that clients can do at home and bring back into the next session for discussion. I also give handouts of various evidence-based skills, such as CBT and DBT skills, in order to bolster the clients memory as well as give guidance.

PositivePsychology

https://positivepsychology.com

PositivePsychology General Products Page

Therapistaid.com

Beneficial Websites for Clinical Growth

In order to be the most well rounded clinician for our clients, maintaining constant education is key. Staying up to date on standards, skills, and best practices is a core value of being a comprehensive clinician.

Continued Education sites

American Counseling Association

The National HIV Curriculum is an AIDS Education and Training Center Program and led by the University of Washington (Course Modules, Mini lectures, Tools and calculators, symptom guides, and a podcast)

Ethical and Clinical Standards

Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc.

American Art Therapy Association

Sustainability Directory - What Are the Ethical Considerations of Art Therapy?

Counselor Communication Skills

Kids First - Art Therapy for Non-Verbal Clients: A Communication Tool

American Art Therapy Association

Social Work Career

Art Therapy Resources.com - Techniques for building rapport and engagement

Signs and Symbols: Art and Language in Art Therapy - Malissa Morrell (2011)

Multicultural Considerations

American Art Therapy Association - Art Therapy Multicultural/Diversity Competencies

American Art Therapy Association - Multicultural Committee

AATA Multicultural Art Therapy Competencies

Sustainability Directory -Why Is Cultural Sensitivity Important in Art Therapy Practice?

Art Therapy Program - Columbian College of Arts & Sciences - International Panel: Art therapy across the globe: Socio-cultural considerations for the treatment of Trauma

Wiley Online Library - Chapter 81 - Art Therapy and Multiculturalism

Research and Inquiry

CDC - Youth Online - YRBS

American Art Therapy Association - Research

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College - Databases

PRATT Institute Libraries - A guide to resources and research in Creative Arts Therapy

Global Wellness Institute

Relevant Articles

Art Therapy Resources - Case Study: Art Therapy for a Client with Emotional Abuse Issues

The Functions of Safety in Psychotherapy: An Integrative Theoretical Perspective Across Therapeutic Schools

American Psychological Association -PTSD and trauma: New APA guidelines highlight evidence-based treatments

Agents of Change - Trauma Therapy Techniques: Tools for Supporting Survivors

American Psychological Association - Risk Factors and Self-care for Practitioners Working With Trauma Clients - by Kathleen M. Chard, PhD, and Leslie Cooper, PhD, and the Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance

Mental Health Academy - Trauma-Informed Practice: Fundamentals for Therapists

Best Practice Resources

Here are some resources for best practices when employing Art Therapy during a session.

Rising Tides Counseling Services - A Quick Guide to Art-based Interventions in Counseling: Reference Points for Clinicians and Clients

NIH - National Library of Medicine - National Center for Biotechnology Information - Arts-based therapies, practices, and interventions in health

Palo Alto University -Trauma-Focused Therapy Techniques

City of Westminster - Working with Clients That have Experienced Trauma

NIH - National Library of Medicine - National Center for Biotechnology Information - Trauma Informed Therapy

CTRI - Crisis and Trauma Institute

DBT Websites and Resources

Blueprint - Distress Tolerance Skills

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT)

Psycho-Educational Materials

Clinicians can utilize psycho-educational material (such as infographics) as a way to remain up to date on their continued education as well as offer clients evidence-based context for more in-depth understanding on their experience. For the most beneficial client experience, Clinicians are recommended to translate the material into client-friendly language and break it down into smaller, attainable, and understandable terms.

Psycho-educational Websites

PTSD Alliance

Art Therapy Websites and Resources

Websites

Innovative Therapy & Workshops - Erica Curtis LMFT, ATR-BC

ArtTherapyResources.com

Worksheets/Handouts

Art therapy resources for Anxiety

Art therapy resources for Depression