168 • Introduction to Art Therapy
professionals to be comfortable with the illogical world in which a psychotic person finds
himself, as in schizophrenia.
One of the most successful art therapy programs in the CEAT department is a group run
by Mary Ann Hayden-Shaughnessy, who has helped those with chronic schizophrenia for
many years (Figure 8.2). The patients who attend regularly seem to be more compliant in
taking medication and in attending psycho-educational groups, both of which allow them
to remain more stable. Perhaps Mary Ann’s success is due not only to the creative activity
itself or the fact that she is an experienced and sensitive therapist, but also to the fact that
she herself is an artist.
Artists not only can “understand” primary-process image-talk as noted earlier, but as
a group they are more rebellious than conforming, and more isolated than socialized. Art
therapists working with colleagues in bureaucratic institutions, however, have had to find
sufficient ways of adapting to survive. Therefore, art therapists may be especially able to help
those who are atypical to find ways to relate to and live with others, while preserving their
individuality and authenticity.
In any case, even highly verbal people of all ages often find that they have no words for
certain experiences, especially those that elicit overwhelming feelings. Like Mrs. Lord, who
was in such a state of “shock” that she could not talk (Chapter 1), or the family whose fluency
masked their feelings (Chapter 7), there are many times when creating visual imagery is far
more effective than anything a person might say.
Figure 8.1 Mary Barnes working on a painting.