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The Art Therapy Sourcebook
Art therapy is a process that helps people of all ages to express and understand feelings, interests, relationships, and self-perceptions through art activities. It has been useful in treating emotional trauma and grief, as a supplement to pain and symptom management, to address psychological distress, and to encourage self-growth and actualization. The Art Therapy Sourcebook is a guide for people who want to use art as a way of understanding themselves better. It starts with information on necessary supplies and takes the reader on a journey toward understanding the connection between artistic images and human emotions.
276 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
104 people are currently reading
1661 people want to read
About the author
Cathy A. Malchiodi
42 books70 followersCathy Malchiodi is an art therapist, visual artist, research psychologist, and author in the fields of art therapy, trauma-informed practice, and art in healthcare.
Cathy is a leading international expert in the "healing arts" fields of art therapy, art in healthcare, and expressive therapies, and has 25 years experience in trauma intervention and trauma-informed practice. She has published numerous books, including, The Art Therapy Sourcebook, Handbook or Art Therapy, Expressive Therapies, Understanding Children's Drawings, and Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children, all of which have become standard texts; she has also published more than 50 invited book chapters and refereed articles and reviews various mental health journals. A popular speaker, Cathy has given over 300 invited keynotes, workshops, and courses throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. She has been an Adjunct Professor at Lesley University's Expressive Therapies Department for over 20 years and has been a visiting professor and lecturer at numerous universities throughout the US.
She is a research psychologist, a Board Certified and Licensed Professional Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Certified Trauma and Loss Educator with expertise in trauma-informed care, interpersonal violence intervention and disaster relief with children, adults, and families. She is the originator of the practice of "trauma-informed art therapy," an approach based on resilience-enhancement, mindfulness, sensory-based intervention, and body/mind principles.
Cathy has provided consultation, service, and expertise to a wide variety of community, national, and international agencies, including the International Child Art Foundation, Department of Defense, Issues Deliberation America/Australia, American Art Therapy Association, International Medical Corp, and Save the Children Foundation. Cathy has also served on the boards of American Counseling Association (ACA), distinguished as the first Representative from the Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC); President of the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development (C-AHEAD); American Art Therapy Association (AATA); Delegate to 20/20 National Future of Counseling Task Force with ACA; Research and Ethics Committees of the Society for the Arts in Healthcare; International Advisory Board, International Child Art Foundation; Advisory Board for Alzheimer's Association of America; and on numerous national and international boards in mental health, education, counseling, arts, and public service. In honor of her clinical and academic contributions, Cathy is the first and only person to have received all three of the American Art Therapy Association’s highest honors: Distinguished Service Award, Clinician Award, and Honorary Life Member Award. She is the recipient of Kennedy Center Honors and a Very Special Arts (VSA) Award for her art therapy work in Hong Kong and Beijing and is the recipient of the Willam Steele Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of trauma intervention with children.
Cathy's current passion includes bringing together the art therapy community worldwide; to this end, she founded the International Art Therapy Organization in May 2009, a network of approximately 3000 professionals and students across the globe. In April 2010, she co-founded the non-profit group Art Therapy Without Borders (ATWB), an organization dedicated to using art therapy to wake up the world through service, education, research, and global networking.
Cathy currently resides in the decidedly weird city of Louisville, Kentucky with husband David and furry feline supervisors and task masters, Zoolee and Chaplin. And even though she worked hard for her psychology doctorate and has penned more stuff than she can remember, she often finds humor in her peers' overuse of the prefix "Dr." on their websites and memos [particularly when they use PhD at the other
Cathy is a leading international expert in the "healing arts" fields of art therapy, art in healthcare, and expressive therapies, and has 25 years experience in trauma intervention and trauma-informed practice. She has published numerous books, including, The Art Therapy Sourcebook, Handbook or Art Therapy, Expressive Therapies, Understanding Children's Drawings, and Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children, all of which have become standard texts; she has also published more than 50 invited book chapters and refereed articles and reviews various mental health journals. A popular speaker, Cathy has given over 300 invited keynotes, workshops, and courses throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. She has been an Adjunct Professor at Lesley University's Expressive Therapies Department for over 20 years and has been a visiting professor and lecturer at numerous universities throughout the US.
She is a research psychologist, a Board Certified and Licensed Professional Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Certified Trauma and Loss Educator with expertise in trauma-informed care, interpersonal violence intervention and disaster relief with children, adults, and families. She is the originator of the practice of "trauma-informed art therapy," an approach based on resilience-enhancement, mindfulness, sensory-based intervention, and body/mind principles.
Cathy has provided consultation, service, and expertise to a wide variety of community, national, and international agencies, including the International Child Art Foundation, Department of Defense, Issues Deliberation America/Australia, American Art Therapy Association, International Medical Corp, and Save the Children Foundation. Cathy has also served on the boards of American Counseling Association (ACA), distinguished as the first Representative from the Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC); President of the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development (C-AHEAD); American Art Therapy Association (AATA); Delegate to 20/20 National Future of Counseling Task Force with ACA; Research and Ethics Committees of the Society for the Arts in Healthcare; International Advisory Board, International Child Art Foundation; Advisory Board for Alzheimer's Association of America; and on numerous national and international boards in mental health, education, counseling, arts, and public service. In honor of her clinical and academic contributions, Cathy is the first and only person to have received all three of the American Art Therapy Association’s highest honors: Distinguished Service Award, Clinician Award, and Honorary Life Member Award. She is the recipient of Kennedy Center Honors and a Very Special Arts (VSA) Award for her art therapy work in Hong Kong and Beijing and is the recipient of the Willam Steele Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of trauma intervention with children.
Cathy's current passion includes bringing together the art therapy community worldwide; to this end, she founded the International Art Therapy Organization in May 2009, a network of approximately 3000 professionals and students across the globe. In April 2010, she co-founded the non-profit group Art Therapy Without Borders (ATWB), an organization dedicated to using art therapy to wake up the world through service, education, research, and global networking.
Cathy currently resides in the decidedly weird city of Louisville, Kentucky with husband David and furry feline supervisors and task masters, Zoolee and Chaplin. And even though she worked hard for her psychology doctorate and has penned more stuff than she can remember, she often finds humor in her peers' overuse of the prefix "Dr." on their websites and memos [particularly when they use PhD at the other
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 23, 2013
This was an amazing book about art therapy and creativity. I’m not an artist but I read it for possible future research. I found it to be a very accessible read. It shares the benefits of art and art therapy and I was quite intrigued by what I learned, especially the connection between art and psychology. The book also goes into some detail about art media and supplies and also gives some sample art exercises. I definitely gained a lot from it.
December 4, 2011
I'm planning on enrolling in an art therapy program in a year or two. I've been engaging in art therapy techniques for years--not in a calculated way, but moreso to stay sane. Art has always done that for me. Life is not as difficult right now, but I've felt unable to express some of the emotions I know I have--somewhere--so I thought I'd pick this up and be proactive.
I expected this book to be chockfull of exercises--more of a workbook. What I got was more of an intro textbook with some exercises to try out--things I used before in an interactive, undergraduate art history class. I wasn't really disappointed--mostly because the text WAS useful for someone like me. It gave me more of an idea of what I'm getting into. Therapeutically, it didn't tell me anything new or provide a plethora of insights. For someone like me, it made me want to explore these things more though.
Mental health in this country is abysmal, so people are looking for books to help them make sense of their lives. Some will find ways to cope--as I did--and others will just keep looking. This book offers a few steps toward healing, but they are hard to find and not too impactful. If you are looking to heal, you probably are better off finding an art therapist to help you. For those lacking the funds, I suggest meeting up with friends and doing creative activities together. The book offers some insights about group therapy. Maybe use these ideas to get started. If you are interested in practicing art therapy, this is something for the bookshelf--but keep looking for more robust options.
I expected this book to be chockfull of exercises--more of a workbook. What I got was more of an intro textbook with some exercises to try out--things I used before in an interactive, undergraduate art history class. I wasn't really disappointed--mostly because the text WAS useful for someone like me. It gave me more of an idea of what I'm getting into. Therapeutically, it didn't tell me anything new or provide a plethora of insights. For someone like me, it made me want to explore these things more though.
Mental health in this country is abysmal, so people are looking for books to help them make sense of their lives. Some will find ways to cope--as I did--and others will just keep looking. This book offers a few steps toward healing, but they are hard to find and not too impactful. If you are looking to heal, you probably are better off finding an art therapist to help you. For those lacking the funds, I suggest meeting up with friends and doing creative activities together. The book offers some insights about group therapy. Maybe use these ideas to get started. If you are interested in practicing art therapy, this is something for the bookshelf--but keep looking for more robust options.
November 11, 2009
This book was so wonderful. I didn't read from cover to cover, instead i looked for ideas and inspiration. It made me very interested in art therapy, and it is definitely something i'd own. it gave me so many ideas for projects, and ways to make myself happy when i'm sad. it was just what i needed today. if you're interested at ALL in art therapy, give this book a look.
September 6, 2016
The back of the book makes some claims, so I'll review it by addressing them briefly.
"The Art Therapy Sourcebook will help you:"
"Find relief from overwhelming emotions"--a large claim, a bit overstated... The book does contain a number of therapeutic exercises for the reader, and they may be useful for some. It is not a book written purely for those who wish to undergo their own auto-therapy. Much of it explains the methods and types and personae of art therapy itself, rather than addressing the reader as an immediately creative agent.
"Recover from traumatic losses"--ditto, although even more overstated.
"Reduce stress levels"--This is more where the exercises are at. A reachable goal for someone participating by herself in these dozen or so art activities. (Remember, this book is not primarily a book of art activities. It is a book about art therapy itself, the methods, thought, and practices, and the ideas behind them.)
"Discover insights about yourself"--Yes; perhaps any intentional art-making would do this. So the books suggestions cover that one.
"Experience personal growth"--Yes (again), I suppose so.
______________________________________
So don't read this book as a book of therapeutic exercises. They are indeed sprinkled about, but the author mostly explains art therapy as a practice, and how it can help people who participate. It might be a good place to start for someone either looking to participate as a "patient," or someone interested in the profession itself. Don't read it if you're just looking for some cool ideas for creative projects. Or, if you are, just skim and find them, and leave the rest.
I liked it well-enough, as someone exploring the possibility of getting a certification someday. It also sheds some light on the capacity that human creativity has for healing and growth. A good enough book, make no mistake.
"The Art Therapy Sourcebook" will help you: learn more about art therapy."--Yes, that's it.
"The Art Therapy Sourcebook will help you:"
"Find relief from overwhelming emotions"--a large claim, a bit overstated... The book does contain a number of therapeutic exercises for the reader, and they may be useful for some. It is not a book written purely for those who wish to undergo their own auto-therapy. Much of it explains the methods and types and personae of art therapy itself, rather than addressing the reader as an immediately creative agent.
"Recover from traumatic losses"--ditto, although even more overstated.
"Reduce stress levels"--This is more where the exercises are at. A reachable goal for someone participating by herself in these dozen or so art activities. (Remember, this book is not primarily a book of art activities. It is a book about art therapy itself, the methods, thought, and practices, and the ideas behind them.)
"Discover insights about yourself"--Yes; perhaps any intentional art-making would do this. So the books suggestions cover that one.
"Experience personal growth"--Yes (again), I suppose so.
______________________________________
So don't read this book as a book of therapeutic exercises. They are indeed sprinkled about, but the author mostly explains art therapy as a practice, and how it can help people who participate. It might be a good place to start for someone either looking to participate as a "patient," or someone interested in the profession itself. Don't read it if you're just looking for some cool ideas for creative projects. Or, if you are, just skim and find them, and leave the rest.
I liked it well-enough, as someone exploring the possibility of getting a certification someday. It also sheds some light on the capacity that human creativity has for healing and growth. A good enough book, make no mistake.
"The Art Therapy Sourcebook" will help you: learn more about art therapy."--Yes, that's it.
August 20, 2019
What an amazing book!
I read this book in the hope to gain new ideas for the children that I work with, and i was not disappointed. This book is not for every child, but the layout, structure and examples are inspiring. I will keep this as my go to book when dealing with high level trauma.
I read this book in the hope to gain new ideas for the children that I work with, and i was not disappointed. This book is not for every child, but the layout, structure and examples are inspiring. I will keep this as my go to book when dealing with high level trauma.
December 29, 2012
Interesting choices and reviews of activities for peers and participants. Worth a read.
March 16, 2023
Truly the most accessible and very well written book on art therapy!
February 10, 2023
I never knew one could be enamored and just captivated by a textbook, but alas, I was! I know this isn't technically a textbook, but one of my classes has used it as such, and I think Cathy and her writing are just incredible. She is practical and gives thoughts and ideas from many angles and many years of experience. What a treasure for someone who is just entering into the field of art therapy.
December 28, 2019
i have this book.. class learning and non class learning. wonderful easy insight to the world of Art Therapy
June 21, 2022
Very interesting. With lots of examples about the positive effect of art, creativity and art therapy.
February 27, 2023
Simple and sweet, read from a counselor and client pov which was v informative, very excited to implement what I read!
April 9, 2024
insightful, peaked my interest in the field of art therapy
October 28, 2025
good book
July 27, 2018
A short and comprehensive introduction to “art therapy” and the various fields and divisions within it. I was inspired to create by the authors insistence that we embrace our art as it is, unconditionally.
July 9, 2014
Must read for aspiring art therapists
This is a comprehensive work giving a necessary survey of common techniques for art therapy. it also gives an excellent review of the history and especially the beginnings of the discipline. The author goes to great lengths to provide information on the application of art therapy from diverse theoretical orientations; I found this to be particularly informative and useful. As the title says it is a great reference and resource for art therapists.
This is a comprehensive work giving a necessary survey of common techniques for art therapy. it also gives an excellent review of the history and especially the beginnings of the discipline. The author goes to great lengths to provide information on the application of art therapy from diverse theoretical orientations; I found this to be particularly informative and useful. As the title says it is a great reference and resource for art therapists.
November 24, 2014
Per chi come me, ha solo una vaga idea di cosa sia l'arteterapia, questo è il testo adatto. Sono consigliati vari esercizi da fare, ma la cosa che più mi ha interessata sono l'approccio di questa disciplina a vari casi di sofferenza, sia fisica che psichica. Vengono in oltre introdotti vari pionieri dell' arteterapia e il loro orientamento nel trattamento dei pazienti. Un buon punto di partenza per successivi approfondimenti.
June 12, 2008
Great foundation book for anyone interested in pursuing a career in art therapy or just interested in learning more about the different therapeutic uses of art. Its basically Art Therapy 101 in book form!
October 22, 2012
An excellent work, especially for those new to art therapy, but also full of some really wonderful activities. Lots of theoretical background, and definitely more of a textbook than an "art-for-art's-sake" read.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 16, 2007
if you ever are going to work with children. its a handy dandy tool.
Read
November 27, 2008Although this speaks to the use of art, it gave me good ideas about the healing art of writing.
April 2, 2010
This is a wonderful book. Excellent exercises, good historical understanding, helpful lists of how to create your own studio space and collect materials, etc.
April 3, 2012
Excellent, clear, straightforward descriptions of art therapy. I still use this book frequently for inspiration for my AT groups.
April 18, 2012
Some great suggestions for exercises
August 16, 2013
Some interesting exercises, geared towards non-artists more than artists
December 12, 2014
I think I was hoping for better exercise ideas. I wanted to art therapy myself, whereas this is more a book on leading others in Art Therapy.
May 7, 2015
This book was okay. I didn't finish it since it was a library book and I had to return it, but I may check it out again at a later time to finish it.
September 16, 2015
This book did not offer as many interventions as I'd hoped in a clear format.
Read
September 2, 2016616.89165 M242 2007
May 3, 2015
Author is not friendly in person, but book can be helpful with students.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews