ATCBE study guide
Historical Foundations of Art Therapy
Early Developments
The origins of art therapy can be traced back to the 1940s, primarily through the work of
Margaret Naumburg, who is often referred to as the 'mother of art therapy'. She began
publishing clinical cases that highlighted the therapeutic benefits of art.
In 1943, Naumburg coined the term 'dynamically oriented art therapy' in Minnesota,
establishing a formal name for her field of work.
The concept of art therapy predates Naumburg, with roots in England during the 1930s,
where Adrian Hill, a professional artist, first used the term 'art therapy' in 1942 after
utilizing painting as a form of self-therapy during his recovery from tuberculosis.
Edward Adamson, another key figure, conducted significant research in 1946 on the
effects of lobotomies on patients, marking a rigorous attempt in British psychiatry to
assess the usefulness of art as therapy.
Early Influences and Pioneers
Tarmo Pasto, an American psychologist, was a precursor to the art therapy movement,
emphasizing that artists had lost the ability to express deep emotions, which could be
found in children's art and the art of the mentally ill.
Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious mind provided a foundation for art
therapy, linking creativity with psychological processes, although this connection was
later discredited.
Carl Jung introduced the concept of the collective unconscious and emphasized the
importance of the image itself in art, rather than viewing it merely as a symbol to be
interpreted.
Key Figures in Art Therapy Development
Franz Cizek was the first to study spontaneous art in children, revealing the inner
workings of the mind through their creative expressions.
, Viktor Lowenfeld collaborated with Cizek to publish influential works in art education,
proposing a six-stage artistic developmental process that correlates with intellectual
growth.
Florence Cane developed methods to enhance children's creativity through movement
and sound, significantly impacting art therapy practices.
Institutional Milestones and Organizations
The International Society for Psychopathology of Expression was established in 1959,
followed by the American Society of Psychopathology of Expression in 1964, which laid
the groundwork for the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
Roger White initiated an art therapy program at the University of Louisville in 1959,
marking one of the first academic programs in the field, despite its closure after
graduating only two students.
The Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas, established in the 1920s, integrated
psychoanalytically based therapy with art activities, showcasing early applications of art
therapy in mental health.
Influential Figures and Theories
Key Contributors to Art Therapy
The concept of 'outsider art' emerged, focusing on self-taught artists and the art
produced by individuals with mental illness, which gained interest from European
psychiatrists like Lombroso and Tardieu for its aesthetic value.
Hans Prinzhorn, a notable art historian and psychiatrist, collected over 5,000 pieces of
artwork from psychiatric patients, publishing 'Artistry of the Mentally Ill' in 1922, which
emphasized the expressive nature of art rather than its diagnostic potential.
Tarmo Pasto, an American psychologist, argued that children's art and the art of the
insane could express inner meanings, thus laying groundwork for the art therapy
movement. He notably saved and exhibited the work of Martin Ramirez, a patient at De
Witt State Hospital.
Psychological Foundations
Sigmund Freud's theories on the active unconscious and personality therapy provided a
foundational framework for art therapists, emphasizing the importance of life histories
and dream imagery in understanding creativity.
, Carl Gustav Jung introduced the idea that the image itself holds significance, advocating
for the exploration of the collective unconscious, which is often reflected in art therapy
practices.
Jung's concept of the mandala, or 'magic circle', serves as a structure to contain
personality chaos, illustrating the psychological depth of art-making.
Educational Influences and Pioneers
Progressive Education and Art
The philosophy of progressive education, which advocates for learning through doing,
significantly influenced art therapy, emphasizing respect for children's creativity and the
importance of the arts in education.
Franz Cizek was the first to study spontaneous art in children, revealing the inner
workings of the mind through their creative expressions, and collaborated with Viktor
Lowenfeld to publish influential works in art education.
Lowenfeld conceptualized a six-stage artistic developmental process, correlating a child's
intellectual growth with their creative development, which is crucial for understanding
art therapy's educational aspects.
Professional Organizations and Milestones
Establishment of Art Therapy as a Discipline
The International Society for Psychopathology of Expression was established in 1959,
followed by the American Society of Psychopathology of Expression in 1964, both of
which were pivotal in formalizing art therapy as a profession.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) was founded to bring together art
therapists, share knowledge, and develop standards for education and practice, marking
a significant milestone in the evolution of the field.
The early 1960s saw university departments of psychiatry offering classes on the
intersection of art and psychiatry, often taught by art therapists, which helped raise
awareness of the field's value.
Pioneers of Art Therapy
Key Figures in Early Art Therapy
Goldman and Paul Fink: Psychiatrists in Philadelphia who initiated the first art therapy
master’s program at Hahnemann Medical College (now Drexel University).
, Myra Levick: Served as the director of the program and was a significant early clinician
in art therapy.
Karl Menninger: Founded the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas in the 1920s,
promoting psychoanalytically based milieu therapy that included art as a therapeutic
activity.
Contributions of Notable Clinicians
Mary Huntoon: Evolved from an artist to a ‘manual arts therapist’ by 1956, emphasizing
dynamically oriented art therapy that followed patient dynamics.
Don Jones: Developed an expressive arts program at Menninger Clinic, which trained
many art therapists, including Robert Ault.
Pedro Corrons: Established the first state-supported art psychotherapy program in Ohio
in 1959, contributing to the growth of art therapy in the region.
Theoretical Foundations of Art Therapy
Art Therapy Theoretical Spectrum
Margaret Naumburg: Defined art therapy as a distinct field in 1940, integrating Freudian
and Jungian analysis into her practice.
Edith Kramer: Emphasized the healing nature of the creative process itself, arguing that
the product of art is also therapeutic, based on Freudian ideas of sublimation.
Judith Rubin: Developed a diagnostic art interview technique, focusing on the
therapeutic alliance and the importance of a safe space for creativity.
Key Concepts in Art Therapy
Transitional Space: Introduced by Winnicott, this concept refers to the safe physical and
psychological environment necessary for creative expression.
The Therapeutic Alliance: A sturdy and trusting relationship between therapist and
patient that can withstand transference and resistance.
Healthy Narcissism: Freud's idea that children’s primary narcissism can evolve into love
for others, reflecting the importance of self-perception in art therapy.
Psychoanalytic Influences
Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious and catharsis significantly influenced art
therapy, emphasizing the importance of unconscious imagery in creative expression.
Historical Foundations of Art Therapy
Early Developments
The origins of art therapy can be traced back to the 1940s, primarily through the work of
Margaret Naumburg, who is often referred to as the 'mother of art therapy'. She began
publishing clinical cases that highlighted the therapeutic benefits of art.
In 1943, Naumburg coined the term 'dynamically oriented art therapy' in Minnesota,
establishing a formal name for her field of work.
The concept of art therapy predates Naumburg, with roots in England during the 1930s,
where Adrian Hill, a professional artist, first used the term 'art therapy' in 1942 after
utilizing painting as a form of self-therapy during his recovery from tuberculosis.
Edward Adamson, another key figure, conducted significant research in 1946 on the
effects of lobotomies on patients, marking a rigorous attempt in British psychiatry to
assess the usefulness of art as therapy.
Early Influences and Pioneers
Tarmo Pasto, an American psychologist, was a precursor to the art therapy movement,
emphasizing that artists had lost the ability to express deep emotions, which could be
found in children's art and the art of the mentally ill.
Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious mind provided a foundation for art
therapy, linking creativity with psychological processes, although this connection was
later discredited.
Carl Jung introduced the concept of the collective unconscious and emphasized the
importance of the image itself in art, rather than viewing it merely as a symbol to be
interpreted.
Key Figures in Art Therapy Development
Franz Cizek was the first to study spontaneous art in children, revealing the inner
workings of the mind through their creative expressions.
, Viktor Lowenfeld collaborated with Cizek to publish influential works in art education,
proposing a six-stage artistic developmental process that correlates with intellectual
growth.
Florence Cane developed methods to enhance children's creativity through movement
and sound, significantly impacting art therapy practices.
Institutional Milestones and Organizations
The International Society for Psychopathology of Expression was established in 1959,
followed by the American Society of Psychopathology of Expression in 1964, which laid
the groundwork for the American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
Roger White initiated an art therapy program at the University of Louisville in 1959,
marking one of the first academic programs in the field, despite its closure after
graduating only two students.
The Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas, established in the 1920s, integrated
psychoanalytically based therapy with art activities, showcasing early applications of art
therapy in mental health.
Influential Figures and Theories
Key Contributors to Art Therapy
The concept of 'outsider art' emerged, focusing on self-taught artists and the art
produced by individuals with mental illness, which gained interest from European
psychiatrists like Lombroso and Tardieu for its aesthetic value.
Hans Prinzhorn, a notable art historian and psychiatrist, collected over 5,000 pieces of
artwork from psychiatric patients, publishing 'Artistry of the Mentally Ill' in 1922, which
emphasized the expressive nature of art rather than its diagnostic potential.
Tarmo Pasto, an American psychologist, argued that children's art and the art of the
insane could express inner meanings, thus laying groundwork for the art therapy
movement. He notably saved and exhibited the work of Martin Ramirez, a patient at De
Witt State Hospital.
Psychological Foundations
Sigmund Freud's theories on the active unconscious and personality therapy provided a
foundational framework for art therapists, emphasizing the importance of life histories
and dream imagery in understanding creativity.
, Carl Gustav Jung introduced the idea that the image itself holds significance, advocating
for the exploration of the collective unconscious, which is often reflected in art therapy
practices.
Jung's concept of the mandala, or 'magic circle', serves as a structure to contain
personality chaos, illustrating the psychological depth of art-making.
Educational Influences and Pioneers
Progressive Education and Art
The philosophy of progressive education, which advocates for learning through doing,
significantly influenced art therapy, emphasizing respect for children's creativity and the
importance of the arts in education.
Franz Cizek was the first to study spontaneous art in children, revealing the inner
workings of the mind through their creative expressions, and collaborated with Viktor
Lowenfeld to publish influential works in art education.
Lowenfeld conceptualized a six-stage artistic developmental process, correlating a child's
intellectual growth with their creative development, which is crucial for understanding
art therapy's educational aspects.
Professional Organizations and Milestones
Establishment of Art Therapy as a Discipline
The International Society for Psychopathology of Expression was established in 1959,
followed by the American Society of Psychopathology of Expression in 1964, both of
which were pivotal in formalizing art therapy as a profession.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) was founded to bring together art
therapists, share knowledge, and develop standards for education and practice, marking
a significant milestone in the evolution of the field.
The early 1960s saw university departments of psychiatry offering classes on the
intersection of art and psychiatry, often taught by art therapists, which helped raise
awareness of the field's value.
Pioneers of Art Therapy
Key Figures in Early Art Therapy
Goldman and Paul Fink: Psychiatrists in Philadelphia who initiated the first art therapy
master’s program at Hahnemann Medical College (now Drexel University).
, Myra Levick: Served as the director of the program and was a significant early clinician
in art therapy.
Karl Menninger: Founded the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas in the 1920s,
promoting psychoanalytically based milieu therapy that included art as a therapeutic
activity.
Contributions of Notable Clinicians
Mary Huntoon: Evolved from an artist to a ‘manual arts therapist’ by 1956, emphasizing
dynamically oriented art therapy that followed patient dynamics.
Don Jones: Developed an expressive arts program at Menninger Clinic, which trained
many art therapists, including Robert Ault.
Pedro Corrons: Established the first state-supported art psychotherapy program in Ohio
in 1959, contributing to the growth of art therapy in the region.
Theoretical Foundations of Art Therapy
Art Therapy Theoretical Spectrum
Margaret Naumburg: Defined art therapy as a distinct field in 1940, integrating Freudian
and Jungian analysis into her practice.
Edith Kramer: Emphasized the healing nature of the creative process itself, arguing that
the product of art is also therapeutic, based on Freudian ideas of sublimation.
Judith Rubin: Developed a diagnostic art interview technique, focusing on the
therapeutic alliance and the importance of a safe space for creativity.
Key Concepts in Art Therapy
Transitional Space: Introduced by Winnicott, this concept refers to the safe physical and
psychological environment necessary for creative expression.
The Therapeutic Alliance: A sturdy and trusting relationship between therapist and
patient that can withstand transference and resistance.
Healthy Narcissism: Freud's idea that children’s primary narcissism can evolve into love
for others, reflecting the importance of self-perception in art therapy.
Psychoanalytic Influences
Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious and catharsis significantly influenced art
therapy, emphasizing the importance of unconscious imagery in creative expression.
