AATA2024 Author Showcase

Patricia Isis

Mindful Doodle Book: 75 Creative Exercises to Help you Live in the Moment

The Mindful Doodle Book: 75 Creative Exercises to Help You Live In the Moment combines the benefits of mindfulness and the intuitive expression of doodling to help you relax, find focus, and creatively express emotions through spontaneous artmaking.

Purchase via PESI

Sarah Balascio

Art Therapy Directives

Art Therapy Directives: An Intervention Toolbox is an all-inclusive manual of art therapy directives designed to be a comprehensive and organized resource for art therapists and other trained mental health professionals. Art therapy directives are directions for creating art and often require use of specific art media, both of which are tailored to the client’s particular need.

Purchase via Amazon

Gioia Chilton

Positive Art Therapy Theory and Practice Integrating Positive Psychology with Art Therapy

By Rebecca Ann Wilkinson and Gioia Chilton

Positive Art Therapy Theory and Practice outlines a clear, systematic approach for combining positive psychology with art therapy’s capacity to mobilize client strengths; induce engagement, flow and positive emotions; transform perceptions; build healing relationships and empowering narratives; and illuminate life purpose and meaning. Woven throughout are clinical illustrations, state-of-the-art research, discussion questions, and reflections on how therapists can apply this approach to their work with clients, and their personal and professional development.

Purchase via Routledge

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Michael A. Franklin

Art as Contemplative Practice: Expressive Pathways to the Self

Art as yoga and meditation for artists, contemplative practitioners, art educators, and art therapists.

Purchase via publisher, SUNY Press 

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Krystal Demaine

The Roots & Rhythm of the Heart: Our Musical Connection to Identity, Spirit, and Lineage

The beat of the heart is structured, not improvised; it is a perpetual non-fleeting pulse spanning all human life until it is the last rhythm produced in our own conscious existence. Listening to the final beats of my father’s heart – his last eternal live music performance gave me a chance to reflect on the blood within me, the blood that pumps through my own heart, my roots, my lineage, my musical individuation. Bearing the deep sadness of the death of my father at the forefront with a global pandemic gripping the world, social hostility, and political divide – the heartbeat gave a new meaning, something deeper and more personal, impacting my existential inquiry on the power of music and the human condition. 

Expressive Therapeutic Writing: Guiding Transformation and Restorative Care Through Intermodal Arts, Word by Word

This book brings engagement and conversation to a cross-pollination of creative and expressive writing and multi-modal art forms. Through the lens of expressive arts therapy, the authors demonstrate how writing can reveal the unexpected that emerges from art making. The lineage of expressive arts therapy includes artful writing, poetry, associative, creative, and memoir, for example, to engage in self-discovery, growth, and restorative care.

Purchase via Routledge 

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David Gussak

The Frenzied Dance of Art and Violence

Some artists have an inclination towards violence, with art helping to mitigate or redirect their destructive energy. For others, their art helps them gain power over or make sense of violent environs. Finally, for some violent perpetrators, art simply mirrors and even perpetuates their psychopathic cycles. Through it all, The Frenzied Dance of Art and Violence explores – and seeks to understand – these interrelated paths of destruction and creation. To inform this dynamic, Dr. David E. Gussak relies on various psychological and sociological perspectives of violence and aggression. Beginning with brief psychobiographies of violent artists, such as Caravaggio, Cellini, Pollock, and Dali, and those whose work emerged from violence, such as Goya, Beckmann, Picasso, and Vann Nath, among others, Gussak illustrates a potent dual nature of art-making: as a way to mitigate violent inclinations and as a tool to regain control amidst turmoil.

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Art and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned: Re-Creating Identity

Through the author’s experiences, investigations and discussions with artists, art therapists and inmates from around the world, Art and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned: Re-Creating Identity comprehensively explores the efficacy, methods, and outcomes of art and art therapy within correctional settings.

Art on Trial: Art Therapy in Capital Murder Cases

A man kidnaps his two children, murders one, and attempts to kill the other. The prosecution seeks the death penalty, while the defense employs an unusual strategy to avoid the sentence. The defendant’s attorneys turn to more than 100 examples of his artwork, created over many years, to determine whether he was mentally ill at the time he committed the crimes. Detailing an outstanding example of the use of forensic art therapy in a capital murder case, David Gussak, an art therapist contracted by the defense to analyze the images that were to be presented as evidence, recounts his findings and his testimony in court, as well as the future implications of his work for criminal proceedings.

Elizabeth Hlavek

A Meaning-Based Approach to Art Therapy

A Meaning-Based Approach to Art Therapy contextualizes the phenomena of Holocaust artwork for the field of art therapy and uses this canon of artwork to support the inclusion of logotherapy into art therapy theory and practice.

The author expounds on a study in which she interviewed surviving Holocaust artists about how they were able to create their artworks while in Nazi captivity. Divided into three parts, the book follows the chronological order of her inquiry. It first presents theory, then research, and ends with implications for the practice of art therapy. The research chapters set out the process and results of the author’s phenomenological inquiry. They address how art making during the Holocaust allowed captive artists to bear witness, leave a legacy and retain their humanity. 

Patricia Gussie Klorer

Expressive Therapy with Traumatized Children

Expressive Therapy with Traumatized Children offers students in training and professionals who work with children an array of sensitive and creative ways to help even their most challenging patients. The second edition builds upon cutting-edge research in the neuroscience of trauma and art therapy to examine children’s development alongside their understanding of trauma. Including many new and revised case studies, Klorer illustrates effective treatment strategies to offer patients alternative means of expression. Klorer’s rich and highly accessible teaching voice seamlessly weaves together art therapy theory, research, and cases into an invaluable resource for students and practitioners alike.

Jill McNutt

Art Therapy Through the Lifespan: A Collection of Case Studies

Art Therapy Through the Lifespan: A Collection of Case Studies introduces theories and models of human development highlighted by case studies written by art therapists and broken down by developmental age ranges.

Each chapter introduces vignettes written by seasoned art therapists, illuminating the clinical practice of art therapy across relevant developmental levels. Chapters cover major developmental factors through a range of theoretical perspectives, including the definition and use of art therapy, and how developmental knowledge and understanding impact art therapy practice with clients of all ages. 

Megan Menkis

Spectacular Senses: My Sensory Processing Workbook

This workbook provides fun and engaging activities to help children and preadolescents understand their unique sensory preferences and develop coping strategies to deal with uncomfortable experiences and emotions.

Creating Calm

Bedtime can be tough for kids with sensory processing or anxiety disorders. The day’s sights, sounds, and sensations can leave them feeling overstimulated and restless. This therapeutic workbook guides you and your child toward a calm and peaceful bedtime routine. 

Super Ears: My Misophonia Workbook

With colorful illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, this workbook is perfect for kids age 4-12 who want to take charge of their sensory challenges.

Emily Nolan

Community Art Therapy: Theory and Practice

This book provides a narrative exploration of community art therapy woven from its rich practice roots, theory, the multiple ways that it can be applied in practice, and through practitioner reflections.

The applications of community art therapy are numerous, and this book provides knowledge to practitioners, guiding them in their own work and grounding their theoretical approaches. The community approaches presented in the text have been developed through careful research, strategy, and implementation.

Meera Rastogi

Foundations of Art Theory and Applications

Edited by Meera Rastogi, Rachel P. Feldwisch, Michelle Pate, and Joseph Scarce

Foundations of Art Theory and Applications is an essential and comprehensive introduction to the field of art therapy that blends relevant psychological and neuroscience research, theories, and concepts and infuses cultural diversity throughout each chapter. The text includes full color photos, informative charts, and case examples and is divided into four parts beginning with the basics of art therapy knowledge and concluding with professional practices in art therapy.

Purchase via Elsevier

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Dana Rummery

Escaping Death

By James Caplan and Dana Rummery

Inside this book you’ll find a collection of my artworks and perspectives. We all thought I was going to die, but with encouragement I was able to create again. Now I can engage in life again. My hope is that this book will be an inspiration to other patients who have limited capabilities to raise themselves out of a physiological and emotional difficulty while dealing with illness. – James A. Caplan

Dana created this book with a client during their art therapy sessions. She will have copies of the book available at AATA2024 signed by Mr. Caplan.

Purchase via Lulu

Libby Schmanke

Art Therapy and Substance Abuse

Art therapy is an effective treatment for individuals with addictions. Working with this unique and often difficult clinical population, however, requires special therapist awareness and knowledge. This handbook provides an in-depth foundation of knowledge for art therapists working with clients with addictions.

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A Graphic Guide to Art Therapy

What are the core concepts of art therapy? What can you learn from a drawing of a bird’s nest, a collage or some scribbles? Why become an art therapist and how do you do it? What happens in the therapy room? In the style of a graphic novel, A Graphic Guide to Art Therapy answers these questions and more.

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The Life and Legacy of Robert Ault, Art Therapy Pioneer

This accessible book provides an edited and annotated compilation of selections of Robert Ault’s previously unpublished work, from presentations at psychiatric conferences to examples of his paintings and drawings.

Ault’s manuscripts for presentations, workshop protocols, and art therapy directives that are otherwise unavailable are of great value to current and future art therapists and clinicians in fields like expressive arts therapy, counseling, social work, and psychology.

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Jessica Stallings

Special Interests in Art Therapy With Autistic People: A Neurodiversity-Positive Approach to Empower and Engage Participants

Introducing the Special Interest Communication Theory (SICT) Facilitative Framework, this guide will help you to support autistic clients and meet their needs through special interests and pop culture.

Turning away from a culture that has often sought to suppress autistic special interests, Stallings asks that therapists meet autistic children and adults on their own terms. Creating an autism positive environment and engaging with special interests – from video games to K-Pop – builds rapport and helps identify therapeutic goals.

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Christianne Strang

Art Therapy and the Neuroscience of Trauma 

Edited by Juliet King and Christianne Strang

Art Therapy and the Neuroscience of Trauma, 2nd edition, lays out a unified framework of neural plasticity and resilience and places it within a broader social context. Using a lens grounded in multicultural humility, renowned figures in art therapy have updated chapters with content that takes a systematic yet inclusive approach. New chapters and new authors offer stimulating insights into individual and community factors that drive comprehensive care.

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Stephanie Wise

A Vortex Tale

If you’re a fan of suspense thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end, “A VORTEX TALE” is a must-read novel. S. L. Wise’s ability to blend psychological suspense, emotional depth, and captivating storytelling will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. Prepare to be enthralled by the intricate web of secrets, the exploration of human nature, and the relentless pursuit of truth of an art therapist within the confines of her mind. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue that will leave you yearning for more.

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Yadyra Yánez

Mi Querido Diario Arte-terapéutico

Shelby Wynn

Growing Up Grounded: Learning to cope with a parent who suffers from a mental illness – An art based workbook

Has your parent or caregiver been recently diagnosed with a mental illness, or have you always felt that your home life was significantly different than your friends? First of all, don’t worry, you are not alone. Of all the adults diagnosed (or not) with a mental illness, the majority of them are parents and little to no attention is paid to their children and how this diagnosis also affects their social/ emotional development. There is very little literature, let alone a work book, made specifically for the child of a parent who suffers from mental illness! Utilizing a modified version of the Twelve Step Program, this book helps teens (and adults) work through each chapter/step at their own pace.