Art Therapy Exam 2 with Complete
Solutions
Principles of Art Therapy - ANSWER-There are 10 - Bruce Moon (Professor, Art
Therapist)
POAT 1 - Art Therapy is Metaverbal - ANSWER-goes beyond words. Relationship
between client/therapist, environment, artistic process. The main work is in the art
making process, the verbal processing is the icing on the cake.
POAT 2- Talk Can Be A Source of Validation - ANSWER-Talking about artwork offers
psychological safety and creates emotional distance from the powerful feelings evoked
in the work. Work happens between client, art process, and presence of art therapist.
POAT 3- Art Therapy Works with a Wide Range of Populations - ANSWER-
Multicultural, all ages, races, religions, etc. Populations that are marginalized too
(homeless, imprisoned, hopeless)
POAT 4 - Creative Actions in Art Therapy Promote Satisfaction and Self Esteem -
ANSWER-Provides safety, rebuilds trust, builds confidence.
POAT 5 - Artistic Expression is Healthy - ANSWER-AT is a healthy, natural way to
express emotions. Societal pressures around emotional expression (gender
implications, repercussions of repression). The arts are a natural/healthy
counterinfluence.
POAT 6 - Art Therapy can be enhanced by imagination - ANSWER-How the
engagement of imagination/fantasy in art making can open doors to emotional
expression
POAT 7- Art Therapy encourages clients to render emotional portraits of significant
people/events in their lives - ANSWER-Relationships/experiences come to live in the
visual, creates a voice that isn't being heard.
POAT 8 - Art Therapy Lets Clients Make Objects that Represent feelings and thoughts -
ANSWER-art creates dialogue. Connects the client and therapist, and is less
threatening (something objective)
Color Symbolism Meanings - ANSWER-Archetypal: reflective of the things that all
people see or may think of. For example: blue-generally calming (sky/water). green-
fertility/growth, purple-royalty.
, Cultural: colors may take on different meanings depending on culture.
ex. green in America - prosperity and money, but in other cultures that may be
represented by blue, purple or gold (wealth). May associate colors depending on
holidays too!
Personal: Personal experiences/memories may be tied to color. Important with our
favorites. If someone picks a blue background and thats their favorite color, most likely
aren't using blue to represent sadness.
Metaphor - ANSWER-Something used to explain or describe something else.
Is a communication form that incorporates randomness, has an element of ambiguity,
has the potential for multiple meanings.
When people try to resolve ambiguity, they
- become engaged
-listen/look closer
-think harder.
The message received by each person in own way and time. Not one meaning.
The message may "enter sideways" - look at from another angle.
Think describing parents as fruits/veggies.
The power of Metaphor - ANSWER-Art expression and the art making process become
visual metaphors used to describe something else like perception/experiences. The use
of metaphor comes from Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory.
Elements of a Metaphorical Story - ANSWER-Therapeutic metaphor intends to
- alter
-reinterpret
-reframe.
Is a story or narrative with intention. It intends to offer different ways of seeing things.
Examples:
A storm - symbolizes danger.
Dove - peace
Wings - Freedom
Butterfly - Change
Tree Roots- Foundation/strength.
REALLY helpful in family work.
Use of Metaphor in Art Therapy (moon) - ANSWER-1. Stimulation that comes from
visual artworks.
Solutions
Principles of Art Therapy - ANSWER-There are 10 - Bruce Moon (Professor, Art
Therapist)
POAT 1 - Art Therapy is Metaverbal - ANSWER-goes beyond words. Relationship
between client/therapist, environment, artistic process. The main work is in the art
making process, the verbal processing is the icing on the cake.
POAT 2- Talk Can Be A Source of Validation - ANSWER-Talking about artwork offers
psychological safety and creates emotional distance from the powerful feelings evoked
in the work. Work happens between client, art process, and presence of art therapist.
POAT 3- Art Therapy Works with a Wide Range of Populations - ANSWER-
Multicultural, all ages, races, religions, etc. Populations that are marginalized too
(homeless, imprisoned, hopeless)
POAT 4 - Creative Actions in Art Therapy Promote Satisfaction and Self Esteem -
ANSWER-Provides safety, rebuilds trust, builds confidence.
POAT 5 - Artistic Expression is Healthy - ANSWER-AT is a healthy, natural way to
express emotions. Societal pressures around emotional expression (gender
implications, repercussions of repression). The arts are a natural/healthy
counterinfluence.
POAT 6 - Art Therapy can be enhanced by imagination - ANSWER-How the
engagement of imagination/fantasy in art making can open doors to emotional
expression
POAT 7- Art Therapy encourages clients to render emotional portraits of significant
people/events in their lives - ANSWER-Relationships/experiences come to live in the
visual, creates a voice that isn't being heard.
POAT 8 - Art Therapy Lets Clients Make Objects that Represent feelings and thoughts -
ANSWER-art creates dialogue. Connects the client and therapist, and is less
threatening (something objective)
Color Symbolism Meanings - ANSWER-Archetypal: reflective of the things that all
people see or may think of. For example: blue-generally calming (sky/water). green-
fertility/growth, purple-royalty.
, Cultural: colors may take on different meanings depending on culture.
ex. green in America - prosperity and money, but in other cultures that may be
represented by blue, purple or gold (wealth). May associate colors depending on
holidays too!
Personal: Personal experiences/memories may be tied to color. Important with our
favorites. If someone picks a blue background and thats their favorite color, most likely
aren't using blue to represent sadness.
Metaphor - ANSWER-Something used to explain or describe something else.
Is a communication form that incorporates randomness, has an element of ambiguity,
has the potential for multiple meanings.
When people try to resolve ambiguity, they
- become engaged
-listen/look closer
-think harder.
The message received by each person in own way and time. Not one meaning.
The message may "enter sideways" - look at from another angle.
Think describing parents as fruits/veggies.
The power of Metaphor - ANSWER-Art expression and the art making process become
visual metaphors used to describe something else like perception/experiences. The use
of metaphor comes from Freudian Psychoanalytic Theory.
Elements of a Metaphorical Story - ANSWER-Therapeutic metaphor intends to
- alter
-reinterpret
-reframe.
Is a story or narrative with intention. It intends to offer different ways of seeing things.
Examples:
A storm - symbolizes danger.
Dove - peace
Wings - Freedom
Butterfly - Change
Tree Roots- Foundation/strength.
REALLY helpful in family work.
Use of Metaphor in Art Therapy (moon) - ANSWER-1. Stimulation that comes from
visual artworks.
