Positive Art Therapy Theory and Practice

Rebecca Ann Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC, LCPAT, is co-founder of Creative Wellbeing Workshops, which uses art and the creative process to help individuals and organizations manage stress, cope with adversity, and increase wellbeing. She serves as adjunct faculty at George Washington University’s Graduate Art Therapy Program. Rebecca is also a practicing artist and author/illustrator of Miraval Mandalas Coloring Book. Gioia Chilton, PhD, ATR-BC, LCPAT, also co-founder of Creative Wellbeing Workshops and adjunct faculty at George Washington University, has written extensively on the intersection of art therapy and positive psychology, collaborative art processes, and altered books. Her doctoral thesis, an award-winning inquiry into the expression of positive emotions in art therapy, was acclaimed for its innovative arts-based research methods.

List of Figures Foreword: A New Era in Art Therapy Dr. Shaun McNiff Foreword: Art Therapy, Inherently Positive Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener Acknowledgements 1. Introduction. 2. A History of Positive Psychology 3. Happiness and Wellbeing 4. Positive Art Therapy Emerges Interlude: The Positive Art Therapy Manifesto 5. Positive Emotions and Emotion Regulation 6. Creativity 7. Flow 8. Strengths 9. Relationships 10. Meaning and Purpose 11. Meaning-making and Perception 12. Accomplishment 13. Professional Applications and Future Directions Appendix A. Positive Art Therapy Directives Appendix B. Glossary Appendix C. List of Strengths Appendix D. List of Values Bibliography Index