The art therapy field is a powerful and expressive form of therapeutic practice. Effective arts therapies equip clients with the tools to communicate and process emotions nonverbally through creative expression. Under the supervision of art therapists, art-based interventions like these can include a variety of art therapy techniques. As such, art therapists are often in search of new art therapy exercises to incorporate into their therapeutic work.
We've curated some recommended art therapy books for therapists to help art therapy practices gain new insights and techniques. Plus, we've included a delightful, powerful art therapy coloring book for any therapist to recommend to their transgender and non-binary clients as a therapeutic art outlet.
💁 In this guide, you'll find out more about the following recommended art therapy books for therapists:
- The Art Therapy Sourcebook by Cathy Malchiodi
- Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing by Cornelia Elbrecht
- Art Therapy with Transgender and Gender-Expansive Children and Teenagers by Kelly Darke & Shannon Scott-Miller
- Art on Trial by David Gussak
- The Creative Connection by Natalie Rogers
- The Big Feelings Survival Guide by Alyse Ruriani
- The Trans Self-Care Workbook by Theo Nicole Lorenz
Why read these art therapy books for therapists?
Art therapists can glean new perspectives, techniques, and creative art therapy exercises from these art therapy books for therapists. Covering a variety of angles and audiences in therapeutic practice, these art therapy books, workbooks, and even an art therapy coloring book will help art therapists enrich their practices. Plus, each book provides a variety of useful resources and projects for clients on their healing journeys.
1. The Art Therapy Sourcebook by Cathy Malchiodi
This comprehensive, accessible art therapy guide is filled with practical art therapy exercises and case studies for art therapists. It covers a wide range of art therapy techniques that are applicable to various types of therapeutic settings.
How is this art therapy book useful for art therapists?
This book would be a valuable resource for both personal inspiration and professional guidance, assisting art therapists in expanding their toolkit and enhancing the therapeutic experience for clients.
2. Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing by Cornelia Elbrecht
This trauma-informed guide explores how art therapists can use a sensorimotor art therapy approach called bilateral body mapping to help clients heal. This innovative technique addresses client trauma through guided drawing, allowing for a nonverbal exploration of emotions.
How is this art therapy book useful for art therapists?
This practical resource with drawing art therapy exercises would benefit art therapists seeking to incorporate sensorimotor approaches into their trauma-informed art therapy practices.
3. Art Therapy with Transgender and Gender-Expansive Children and Teenagers by Kelly Darke & Shannon Scott-Miller
This art therapy book provides art therapists with the latest insights and guidance on working with trans and genderqueer youth. It includes case studies and creative approaches to building more inclusive and affirming spaces for art therapy clients of all genders.
How is this art therapy book useful for art therapists?
According to a 2023 survey by The Trevor Project, 1 in 5 trans and non-binary kids attempted suicide in the past year. It's been proven again and again that affirming kids' gender identity is associated with lower rates of suicide attempts. This art therapy book that's geared specifically toward helping trans and non-binary kids can be a game changer for art therapists navigating the needs of this high-risk population.
4. Art on Trial by David Gussak
This fascinating book at the intersection of art therapy and criminology gives art therapists a unique peek into an unusual application of their field of expertise: Gussak recounts how he was hired by the defense in a capital murder case to use forensic art therapy on the suspect's artwork. The goal? Analyze the suspect's art as a method of determining if he was mentally ill at the time he committed murder.
How is this art therapy book useful for art therapists?
Art therapists can benefit from understanding the profound impact their profession can have, even in unconventional therapeutic contexts.
5. The Creative Connection by Natalie Rogers
This comprehensive guide written by a pioneer in expressive arts therapy explores a more holistic approach to therapeutic interventions. Rogers shows how therapists can bridge the gap between creative expression and other modalities for healing and personal growth.
How is this art therapy book useful for art therapists?
New art therapists and other types of therapists will find this to be a valuable resource for integrating expressive arts into their practices.
6. The Big Feelings Survival Guide by Alyse Ruriani
This creative workbook provides art therapists with an approachable, useful resource to share with clients. A licensed art therapist herself, Ruriani includes practical art therapy exercises and creative prompts for clients to navigate their mental health and “big feels” in a safe environment.
How is this art therapy book useful for art therapists?
Art therapists can use this workbook to facilitate therapeutic conversations and new approaches to creative expression with their clients.
7. The Trans Self-Care Workbook by Theo Nicole Lorenz
Although Lorenz is not a licensed art therapist, they've created a widely beloved book that is part art therapy coloring book, part self-reflection workbook. The result is a resource that prioritizes creativity, self-exploration, and empowering affirmation for trans and non-binary folks of all ages.
How is this art therapy book useful for art therapists?
Art therapists can recommend this beautifully rendered coloring workbook as a take-home supplement to their TNBGNC clients' care.
FAQ | Art Therapy Books for Therapists
Why is it useful to read and utilize a variety of art therapy books for therapists?
Art therapists can benefit a lot from the diverse perspectives, attitudes, and creative ideas found in a variety of art therapy books. The resources in this list of recommended art therapy books for therapists cover a range of art therapy techniques and applications.
What are some great books on specific art therapy techniques?
- For bilateral body mapping, read: Healing Trauma with Guided Drawing by Cornelia Elbrecht.
- For expressive arts therapy, read: The Creative Connection by Natalie Rogers.
Are there any good art therapy books for therapists geared specifically toward trans & non-binary clients?
- Art Therapy with Transgender and Gender-Expansive Children and Teenagers by Kelly Darke & Shannon Scott-Miller
- The Trans Self-Care Workbook by Theo Nicole Lorenz
What book explores an unusual, fascinating application of art therapy?
- Art on Trial by David Gussak
What are some other art therapy books for therapists that include a lot of art therapy exercises?
- The Art Therapy Sourcebook by Cathy Malchiodi
- The Big Feelings Survival Guide by Alyse Ruriani
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Ada Peng
Ada Peng is a spatial data analyst and Chief AI architect at Orchid. Before joining Orchid, Ada honed her skills as an engineer at HNTB. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ada is actively engaged in the tech community, organizing AI and healthtech meetups in San Francisco and New York. While pursuing her dual master’s degree in City Planning and Urban Spatial Analytics at UPenn, Ada founded the Urban Studies Workshop, showcasing her commitment to fostering innovation and leadership.
