Comments on: Art Therapy for Children of All Ages

By: Jane Hawes

Jane Hawes — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:51:47 +0000

Review by Jane Hawes for Art Therapy for Children of All Ages Rating: very dissapointing. This looked so good from the outside. I got no wonderful inspiring ideas...Just some old tricks rehashed in a pretty package!

By: Emily Trimble

Emily Trimble — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:18:36 +0000

Review by Emily Trimble for Art Therapy for Children of All Ages Rating: I got this as a text book for one of my post-graduate classes and wasn't too sure how applicable it would be until I finally got the opportunity to put it into practice. My young clients and their parents are thrilled with the dynamics and results that flow out of these ingenious projects. I had no idea it could be this simple for early and effective bonding with clients through this medium. Someone must have done a great deal of trial and error to settle on the final product(s) in this book. I would highly recommend this book to any student or pursuer of art and/or psychology and would say it is a must-have for professionals in either field.

By: Patty Helman

Patty Helman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:51:20 +0000

Review by Patty Helman for Art Therapy for Children of All Ages Rating: This book is for any therapist who wants to dable in art as a theraputic modality. It has 27 projects to choose from that are applicable to a variety of ages. I have found the projects to be easy and useful and the authors encouraging.

By: Katherine Kirk

Katherine Kirk — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:36:48 +0000

Review by Katherine Kirk for Art Therapy for Children of All Ages Rating: The authors have assembled a book of ideas and instructions for a variety of art therapy project for use with children. There are twenty-seven projects in all. This book is beautifully illustrated with examples of completed projects. Each recipe consists of an inspirational quote, the purpose of the project, materials needed, directions, follow up instructions for the therapist, and suggestions for interpretations.
Herbert I. Abrams, PhD has been a practicing psychotherapist since 1970. He has served as a professor at Pepperdine University as well as Alliant International University. He has worked extensively in the field of art therapy. Dr. Abrams invited Heather Pearman, MA, MFT to assist him in writing this book. Heather works with children and adolescents and specializes in Parent Alienation Syndrome.
I find this book easy to follow. The materials are easy to find (construction paper, scissors, glitter, yarn, glue, etc.). The purpose helps to determine the usefulness of the activity for a particular client. The instructions are clear. Clearly these projects have all been well tested, as the suggestions for how to use the project therapeutically and suggestions for interpretation seem well thought out. The clear and simple way this book is written and organized does a great deal to put the therapist at ease and demystify the process of art therapy.
The projects are designed primarily to be used in either individual therapy or in a group of children. Suggested age / developmental level is given at the beginning of each recipe.
I am looking forward to trying out some of the projects with children I work with in my private practice.