The Healing Arts

The Restoring Power of Imagination

Cathy Malchiodi is an art therapist, visual artist, independent scholar, and author of 13 books on arts therapies, including The Art Therapy Sourcebook. See full bio

November 3, 2009

ART PEACE SUSTAINABILITY: A Global Digital Art (Therapy) Event

It’s time to try your hand at some digital art making; artist or non-artist, you might even find it addictive. Join the International Art Therapy Organization and the Art Therapy Alliance for an interactive global art event reflecting these three words: art, peace, and sustainability. It’s an experiment in creating community using digital and social media. Read More

November 2, 2009

Art Therapy Meets Digital Art and Social Multimedia

In the 20th century, art therapy mirrored modern art movements and the media of the time period—drawing, painting, and sculpting. And just as digital means of expression, image manipulation, and social multimedia have permeated the early 21st century art, they also are beginning to influence the field of art therapy…well, maybe. Read More

July 23, 2009

Playing for Change: Music for a Change of Heart

I woke up this morning to the headline that many people who are unemployed have simply given up the search for a job. And last night, while inspired by Barrack Obama’s press conference on healthcare reform, I secretly wondered if what is so close will really happen. While my life is generally good, there has been so much bad news for so long. I think it’s time for a dose of the healing art that is the best remedy I know to bring about a change of heart—music. Read More

July 22, 2009

A Facebook Fan Page for Your Private Practice?

Are Facebook "fan pages" or MySpace accounts appropriate vehicles to promote a psychology or mental health practice? And is it okay to publicly post films of client or patient sessions, even with informed consent, on FB? It's happening--and it's bringing up a number of questions about how some mental health practitioners are using social networking platforms such as Facebook and what exactly constitutes client welfare in the age of the Internet. Read More

July 15, 2009

Helping Children Draw Out Their Traumas

It's well known that traumatic events have profound effects on cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning in children. Fortunately, many children recover from traumatic events in a matter of weeks, but others have serious reactions that may last months or years. For those children who do not bounce back, there is hope through structured intervention and one simple activity: drawing. Read More

July 14, 2009

Resilience Matters in Traumatized Children's Lives--and Sensory Activities Make the Difference

The capacity to bounce back - more commonly known as resilience -- enhances trauma recovery in children. But what about children who do not have the innate capacity to bounce back? Or those whose lives have been compromised by abuse, neglect, or exposure to multiple traumas? There's good news: sensory activities, along with positive relationships and a positive environment, can make all the difference.

June 19, 2009

Listen to Presences Inside Poems: A Tribute to Poetry Therapist Ken Gorelick

Poetry therapy is the intentional use of poetry and other forms of literature for healing and personal growth. The contributions and vision of poet and poetry therapist Ken Gorelick enhanced our knowledge about how personal insight is embodied in line and verse and just how poems can repair both body and mind. Most of all, his life's work helped both patients and colleagues listen to the powerful healing found in the "presences inside poems." Read More

April 28, 2009

The Bone Fractured Fairy Tale: A Story of Art as Salvation

At the age of 23, Jennifer Brunner was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer and, in her words, won the “crap lotto.” Her creativity began as therapy, but in the end became art, allegory, and, ultimately, a story to inspire all who confront mortality. It’s a testimony to what makes us whole, even when we are fractured and broken. Read More

February 19, 2009

Be Here Now: Mindfulness and the Creative Spirit

Mindfulness is the art of paying attention to the details of the present moment. When we are engaged in the process of creating--whether through words, music, art, or movement--without getting caught up in where it might be leading, it is a form of mindfulness. Enjoy a short film that will remind you to "be here now." Read More

January 20, 2009

It’s Finally Inauguration Day: Obamicon Yourself

Seize the day and enjoy the moment. Here’s an art therapy assignment for you on inauguration day…express your inner Obama! Give yourself an Obamicon makeover today. To find out how… Read More

Books by Cathy Malchiodi

Art Therapy Sourcebook (Sourcebooks)

Understanding Children's Drawings

Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children

The Soul's Palette: Drawing on Art's Transformative Powers

Expressive Therapies

Breaking the Silence: Art Therapy with Children from Violent Homes

Creativity Basics

Even those of us not in explicitly creative fields must come up with new ideas and insights in order to move ahead. How can we shake up our thinking patterns?

Go to the Creativity Basics page for more on Creativity including:

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Books by Cathy Malchiodi

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