252 • Introduction to Art Therapy
Ethical Principles for Art Therapists are available through the AATA website (www.artther-
apy.org). If someone is thought to be behaving in an unethical fashion as a professional,
charges may be filed with the association’s Ethics Committee.
In human beings, the superego or conscience is the part of the personality that typically
feels guilt. It is also the part that invokes or seeks punishment for thoughts or actions per-
ceived as “bad.” There is also another part of the superego known as the ego ideal, which
establishes goals, aspirations, and approval for thoughts or actions seen as “good.” If the
superego is the part that spanks (punishes) people, the ego ideal would be the part that
applauds (rewards) people. While disapproval is meted out by the Ethics Committee in
AATA, rewards are given by the Honors Committee.
The association’s highest honor is the Honorary Life Membership (HLM), recommended
by the Honors Committee and approved by voting members. It recognizes art therapists
who have made significant contributions to the organization and to the profession. The
Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is given to individuals who have done especially impor-
tant work for the association.
The Clinician Award is given to those who have done outstanding clinical work in some
specialty. There is also a Government Affairs Award honoring Nancy Schoebel, a Film Award
honoring James Consoli (1993), and the Rudolf Arnheim Award for non-art therapists who
have contributed to the profession. In addition, there are a variety of special awards for
meritorious service in a specific area, as well as various funded awards for scholarships,
research, and writing.
Being a human service professional, whether in private practice or under an institutional
umbrella, requires strict adherence to such principles as maintaining the patient’s privacy,
and the clarity of both roles and boundaries. Artists, however, have few such concerns. In
fact, since they exhibit publicly, they actively invite people into their worlds. Nevertheless, it
should be possible to expand art therapy’s horizons—as in an open studio—without aban-
doning our responsibility to those we serve.
The fundamental underpinning of any system of ethical conduct is respect for those
involved. If there is sincere respect for the other, then ethical guidelines flow naturally.
This is true whether we are talking about respecting an individual’s artwork, imagery, or
personal boundaries. Respect also means not taking advantage in any way of the power of
the special relationship a clinician has with patients in therapy. This is true for all who are
in a position of power over others, including supervisors, teachers, doctors, clergy, friends,
and parents.
Responsible art therapists are knowledgeable about legal and ethical issues, especially
when they are in private practice. A primary concern of those who protect the public through
licensure is assuring that the professional is accurately representing her qualifications.
Even though I, for example, have been licensed to practice as a psychologist in the state of
Pennsylvania since 1979, I would not dream of doing things for which I am not trained, such
as psychological testing or hypnosis. Admitting that one is floundering is also a matter of
ethical responsibility, as is seeking more experienced and objective consultation.
Ethics and the Art Created in Art Therapy
Provocative Images There are some ethical concerns that are peculiar to art therapy, such
as the issue of what to do about violent or provocative images in group situations, whether
they occur in treatment or in training. While this isn’t covered in AATA’s Ethical Principles
for Art Therapists, it is an issue with which all therapists must deal.