This book focuses on somatic art therapy for treating acute or chronic pain, especially resulting from physical and/or psychological trauma. It discusses the role of the psyche in physical healing and encourages combining of traditional medicine and holistic perspectives in treatment. Translated from the French text, this volume provides case studies and examples from the author’s art psychotherapy practice of 40 years, including the four-quadrants method. Chapters review the current treatments for chronic pain and PTSD and focus on art therapeutic methods to treat those conditions, such as art therapy protocols for PTSD. The book exposes the underlying rational of somatic art therapy, covering art therapy effectiveness, Levine’s somatic dissociation, van der Kolk’s somatic memory, and Scaer’s procedural memory concepts. Also featured are chapter contributions from art therapists Sophie Boudrias, Mylène Piché, and Dr. Patcharin Sughondhabirom. By providing a unique, clear and concise synthesis of available art therapy methods this text will appeal both to the general and professional public, including professional art therapists, psychotherapists, helping relation professionals, and medical practitioners.

This is the first and only book on chronic pain management written specifically for physical therapists. This unique resource provides physical therapists and physical therapy students with practical information for treating patients with chronic pain

An integrated guide to the entire range of clinical art therapy. Its scope is immense, covering every age range in a variety of settings from schools and outpatient clinics to psychiatric hospitals and private treatment. Of special value are the extensive case studies and 148 illustrations.

Chronic pain is a multidimensional, phenomenological experience, shaped by physiological, psychological, and social factors. Thus integrative non-pharmacological adjunctive approaches are gaining recognition for addressing the interplay between these factors. Art therapy is one such approach. However, while art therapy and chronic pain research has shown promising results, it remains a nascent area of inquiry and needs to be expanded. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate and illustrate the effects of a multisite, 6 session, manualized art therapy intervention on client-participants’ (N=31) perceptions on chronic pain and psychosocial comorbidities. The study employed an embedded mixed-methods design. Primary importance was placed on quantitative pretest-posttest data. Results from t-test analysis showed significant decreases in pain interference, depression, stress, and anxiety after art therapy intervention. Results also indicated significant increases in self-efficacy following the intervention. Mean decreases in post-intervention pain severity were not significant. In addition, 66% of client-participants reported significant, favorable global impression of change after completing the intervention. Measures of manipulation fidelity were used to ensure consistency across multiple settings. Analysis of fidelity checklist data showed strong adherence to study directives, supporting internal validity and reliability of intervention. Qualitative data in the form of client-participant artwork and comments were gathered and analyzed to produce central themes that would serve to illustrate and enhance understanding of the client-participant experience. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of client-participant feedback produced 4 central themes: opportunity for visual expression of chronic pain, creating connections, relaxation and calming, and enjoyment in the artistic process. These themes confirm findings from the literature and illustrate the effects of specific art therapy approaches and techniques. Overall findings support art therapy as a useful adjunct to chronic-pain treatment regimens.--Abstract.