Art Therapy and Health Care

Art therapy is a form of support most often associated with children and mental health settings. The subject of this book is the art therapist's profession in healthcare settings in the broadest sense, working with people of all ages, both in hospital or treatment settings for acute or chronic disease and with survivors of mental and physical trauma. The editor, Cathy A. Malchiodi (Lesley U.) is professionally an art therapist, expressive art therapist, and clinical mental health counselor. She has received multiple honors from the American Art Therapy Association, and has published extensively on art therapy. The book is divided into four sections: art therapy with children and adolescents, with adults, with groups and families, and professional issues in art therapy and health care. Contributors are all art therapists, with a range of other credentials including medical doctor, social worker, psychotherapist, licensed massage therapist, nurse, and MFA artist. Special populations discussed include bereaved youth, physically challenged children, breast cancer survivors, American Indian and Alaska Native cancer survivors, and socially excluded people with HIV/AIDS. Conditions discussed by contributors where art therapy is an effective intervention include epilepsy, asthma, bereavement, trauma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney failure, medical rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, early-stage Alzheimer's, and working in management positions at healthcare facilities. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)