Mindful Art Therapy: A Foundation for Practice

Author(s): Barbara Jean Davis

Art & Creative Therapies

The mindful art therapy presented in this book places inner contemplation, openness and visual language at its centre, showing how traditional Eastern wisdom can be integrated into modern psychotherapeutic practice for mind-body wellness. This book introduces a foundation for mindful art therapy practice by providing a coherent framework that bridges paradigms between eastern and western traditions. The author clarifies different approaches from mindfulness traditions to guide students and practitioners in determining the most suitable and personalised method for practice, research and professional development. The book features case studies and artworks from the treatment of common clinical presentations such as anxiety and depression and includes a guided meditation script and audio file. This book is an essential text for art therapy and psychology students, academics and allied health professionals who seek to integrate mindful art therapy into research and practice.


Product Information

Innovative approaches demonstrate how traditional Eastern wisdom can be integrated into modern art therapy and psychotherapeutic practice

Barbara Davis is a psychologist and art therapist in private practice specializing in mindful art therapy. She is an international member of the American Art Therapy Association. Barbara has undertaken art therapy research at Monash University, Victoria Australia, including a Masters (art and cognitive intervention for test anxiety) and Doctorate (phenomenological art therapy with international students). In 2000 she received a Glaxo Wellcome International prize for innovative education using traditional art to inform indigenous health promotion in the west Kimberley region of Australia. Barbara currently divides her time between private practice, and academic supervision and lecturing in psychology. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Acknowledgments. Preface. Part I. What is Mindfulness?. 1. Introduction. 2. Mindfulness Theories and Approaches. Part II. Mindful Art Therapy - A Method for Practice. 3. Mindfulness Processes. 4. Art Therapy Perspectives. 5. Inside a Mindful Art Therapy Session. Part III. Metaphorically Speaking. 6. Painting Through Depression. 7. Good Grief. 8. Voice of Reason. 9. Silence is Golden. 10. Contemplating Panic. Part IV. Clinical Applications in Mindful Art Therapy. 11. Sentient Being. 12. Sense and Sensibility. Chapter 13. Complementary Methods. 14. Mindful-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Wellness. 15. ACT. 16. Positive Psychology. Part V. Developing a Mindful Art Therapy Practice. 17. On Becoming a Mindful Art Therapist. 18. A Note About Music. Tables and Figures. References.

General Fields

  • : 9781849054263
  • : Jessica Kingsley Publishers
  • : Jessica Kingsley Publishers
  • : June 2015
  • : United Kingdom
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Barbara Jean Davis
  • : Paperback
  • : 615.85156
  • : 176
  • : 8pp colour plate + 24 b&w artwork