Ernst Ludwig Kirchsner eloquently, stated, “A painter paints the appearance of things, not their objective correctness, in fact he creates new appearances of things.” A quote that has resonated through the minds of artists, and lies as the cornerstone ideology of art therapy. Since the beginning of psychology, it has been known that any form of art, is a liberating expression; but until recently those expressions were never analyzed. In order to completely understand the foundation of art therapy; the art assessments must be understood.

1. The Diagnostic Drawing Series: The therapist will put the patient through three different steps of drawing. The first step involves the individual drawing any picture they choose, using colored chalk pastels. The patient, is then asked to draw a tree. In the final part of the assessment, the individual is asked to draw how they feel using lines, shapes, and colors. After the test is completed, the therapist will analyze each picture, and attempt to determine the individual’s unconscious issues. As well as, establishing the underlying problems, the assessment is used as a liberating method for the patient.

2. The Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI): The mandalas are designs that are in a geometric shape. This deck of mandalas originated in Buddhism, and is said to be a gateway into an individual’s spirituality and unconscious thought. In this assessment, the patient is asked to choose a mandala from the deck of cards, and then draw the chosen shape. Depending on the color in which they choose to draw a picture, and the style in which they draw; the therapist can attempt to diagnose an issue. This practice is based on the work of Joan Kellog; who believed that reoccurring shapes, can be a portal to an individual’s personality.

3. House-Tree-Person: The therapist encourages the patient to draw a picture in the order of the title (i.e. first, house; second, tree; third, person). Once the individual has drawn the required picture, the therapist will ask the patient several questions like, “What is the weather in this picture”, “What is the house made out of?”, “How old is the person in the house?”, “What is that person’s story?” Each answer an individual gives, is analyzed through previous training and charts, by the therapist.

4. Road Drawing: In this assessment, patient is asked to draw a road. Upon completion, the therapist will analyze the picture, in a “road of life” perspective. Although it seems, auspicous, a single drawing can depict an individual’s thoughts on his future, and his current standing in life.

Friday 4 December 2009