Art Therapy Books Worth Reading:

Listing books here is not intended to indicate absolute agreement with all content, techniques, suggestions, word choices, or other work by the authors- but to indicate a large portion of information that was found helpful. It is recommended that whatever you read, no matter who recommends it or writes it, that readers use critical thinking and that content is reviewed in a thoughtful, contemplative, and reflective manner. Few books are written dedicated entirely or specifically to Adoption and art therapy and these are listed separately. The rest are books I have found personally to have applicable and/or beneficial concepts.

These lists and any reviews or comments reflect the individual opinions of Heather Gonzales, are written from the perspective of an adoptee, and are not necessarily a reflection of all staff or Encompass Adoptees as a whole. Bold titles do Not indicate a higher preference for these lists.

 

Adoption Specific Art Therapy Books

  • Creative Arts Therapies Approaches in Adoption & Foster Care: Contemporary Strategies for Working with Individuals and Families, Ed by Donna Betts (an adult adoptee)

  • Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma: Helping Children and Families in Foster Care, Kinship Care, or Adoption, Ed by Anthea Hendry and Joy Hasler

For Everyone

  • The Secret World of Drawings, by Gregg M. Furth

  • The Soul’s Palette: Drawing on Art’s Transformative Powers for Health and Well-Being, by Cathy Malchiodi

  • Expressive Therapies, by Cathy Malchiodi LPCC, ART-BC, CPAT - For those interested this gives a helpful overview of a variety of arts therapies including art, music, drama, poetry, dance, sandtray, etc.

  • Understanding Children’s Drawings, by Cathy Malchiodi, LPCC, ART-BC, CPAT

  • Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, by David Bayles & Ted Orland

For Therapists — Or Those Interested in Case Studies, Therapy Techniques, etc

  • Art Therapy Theories: A Critical Introduction, by Susan Hogan

  • Attachment Informed Art Therapy: Strengthening Emotional Ties Throughout the Lifetime, by Lucille Proulx

  • Complicated Grief, Attachment & Art Therapy: Theory, Treatment, and 14 Ready to Use Protocols, Ed by Brian MacWilliams

  • Creative Interventions with Traumatized Children, Ed by Cathy Malchiodi,LPCC, ART-BC, CPAT -The 1st and 2nd editions have several differing chapters, several good chapters are omitted and replaced in the second edition

  • Expressive Arts Continuum: A Framework for Using Art in Therapy, by Lisa Hinz

  • Materials and Media in Art Therapy: Critical Understanding of Diverse Artistic Vocabularies, Ed by Catherine Hyland Moon

  • Printmaking as Art Therapy: Frameworks for Freedom, by Lucy Mueller White

  • Therapists Creating a Cultural Tapestry: Using the Creative Therapies Across Culture, Edited by Stephanie Brooke and Charles Myers

  • The Wiley Handbook of Art Therapy, Edited by. David Gussak. & Marcia. Rosal

  • Using Textiles Arts and Handcrafts in Therapy with Women: Weaving Lives Back Together, by Ann Futterman Collier