114 • Introduction to Art Therapy
Angels (1995). Jung, the son of a minister, valued the spiritual elements in psychoanalysis,
whereas Freud, the rationalist, was determined to prove the scientific nature of the new
depth psychology.
Ironically, both polarities are more important in the mental health domain than ever
before. Psychobiological approaches currently dominate the field of psychiatry, while neuro-
science and cognitive-behavioral therapy dominate contemporary psychology. At the same
time, in a technological world where human values often seem to have been lost, the hunger
for meaning has been intensified. One reflection of this longing is the popularity of spiritual
approaches in mental health, as in the many kinds of treatment programs based upon the
twelve-step method of overcoming addiction, which has been adopted by art therapists as
well (Chickerneo, 1993; Waller & Mahony, 1999).
Art therapy, drawing as art has from time immemorial on the human spirit, offers a most
appealing avenue for authentic expressions of the soul. Even the most rational among us
knows of the deep inner well from which we draw when we express ourselves. While I have
found a psychoanalytic orientation most useful in my own work, it does not seem incompat-
ible with the title I used for a book addressed to the general public: Soul Prints (DVD 5.6).
Even though art therapists operate from a number of different perspectives, one that cuts
across all of our theoretical differences is that of the human spirit, which is so essential to
our creative capacity. The philosophy of anthroposophy, which underlies the work of Rudolf
Steiner and his followers, while primarily expressed in the educational arena of the Waldorf
Schools, has also spawned a somewhat mystical approach to color therapy (Collot d’Herbois,
1993) and painting therapy (Hauschka, 1985). It remains extremely popular in Germany.
Spirituality is a strong element in Bruce Moon’s work, for example, Art & Soul (19 9 6),
and Ellen Horovitz (Figure 5.13) has published a series of books with titles like Spiritual
Art Therapy (2002b), A Leap of Faith (1999), Art Therapy as Witness: A Sacred Guide (2005),
and has created the Belief Art Therapy Assessment (2002a) (A). Spirituality is also central in
transpersonal approaches to art therapy, so it is not surprising that Pat Allen has also writ-
ten a book called Art as a Spiritual Path (2005). And Lynn Kapitan (B) has addressed a need
Figure 5.13 Ellen Horovitz, spiritual art therapy.