Arts Therapy Relationship
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Arts Therapy Definition
Arts Therapy aligns with psychology, psychotherapy and counselling, differentiated through the use of arts media as a primary means of exploration and expression. Creative processes within the arts therapies domain include drawing, painting, writing, clay, sculpting, sand, music, drama, dance and movement.
Marion and Rod were co-authors of the 5-Pt Star Arts Therapy Model (2008), which was devised as a visual means to shared understanding of the approaches and potentiality, for participants attending multimodal arts therapy groups within a community context. This model has been developed further within a health and disability organization to provide an outcomes assessment tool, which has been implemented within other contexts. The 5-Pt Star Arts Therapy Assessment (Gordon-Flower, M. & Flower, R. 2011) has also been the subject of an international research project into broader applicability of the model and assessment process, establishing usefulness to arts therapists in a range of different settings. Marion was a contributing author for “Assessments and Outcomes in the Arts Therapies: A Person-Centred Approach” edited by Caroline Miller, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, in which the 5-Pt Star Assessment Model and Tool was reviewed. Also “Arts Therapists in Multidisciplinary Settings: Working Together for Better Outcomes” (C. Miller, Ed), where the role in the development of an arts therapy service is discussed.
Marion Gordon-Flower, BMA, Dip. T, MAAT (Clinical) Hons, Cert Supervision, AThR
Qualified and established multimodal Arts Therapist with a Master of Arts in Arts Therapy (Clinical) degree and background in teaching. Member of Australia and New Zealand Arts Therapy Association (ANZCATA) and American Art Therapy Association (AATA).
Roderick Flower, BHB, MBChB. qualified MD and Mental Health Specialist, and works in service improvement in a Mental Health and Social Housing NGO. Qualifications include Family Medicine Training Course, Royal College of G.P.'s, WRAP Facilitator, Certificate for Mentorship in Supported Employment.