The Basics • 89In group or family therapy, the presence of the art is also helpful. Whether respond-
ing to each other’s creations, or working together and reflecting on the process, a jointly
made product, or both—looking at self, other, or the group is greatly facilitated by being
able to see these in the art rather than in the person(s). On the DVD you can observe
members of a family exploring their reactions to one another’s artwork in a family art
evaluation (H).
Art Is Flexible and Versatile
Another of art therapy’s greatest assets is its remarkable versatility. Art can be used with
people of any age, and can be adapted to almost any disability or setting. Art is also portable,
so it can be offered to people who need to be seen at home, who are immobilized in hospital
beds (I), or who are stuck in shelters (Figure 4.8). Art is especially useful as therapy in crisis
situations and settings, since many media permit rapid, easy expression, which is vital when
trauma leaves someone speechless (J). Art is versatile in yet another fashion: it can be used
in as many ways as there are theories of rehabilitation, treatment, education, and growth.
Art Normalizes Psychotherapy
Another significant asset of art therapy is that because art activities naturally occur in nor-
mal settings like schools, churches, and community centers, art therapy tends to be much
less threatening to many people than verbal psychotherapy.
In the 1970s, a psychologist and I were able to offer training in what we called “A r t-
Awareness” to people like youth group leaders and others working with teenagers (Rubin,
2005a) (K). These trainees then worked under our supervision with adolescents in the com-
munity. We also held classes for art teachers in schools, colleges, and community centers, in
order to sensitize them to do their job more therapeutically.
So even when art as psychotherapy isn’t indicated, the services of an art therapist as con-
sultant, trainer, or supervisor of other caregivers can extend the therapeutic benefits of art
to more individuals (Figure 4.9).
Figure 4.8 Art is portable and can happen anywhere.