Developing in splendid isolation? a critical analysis of german art therapy approaches in key papers from 1990 to 1999

Abstract

Within Europe, there is a tapestry of diverse approaches to art therapy which, as Waller (1998) shows, are quite different from the British model. Germany, Austria and Switzerland constitute a lingual area of approximately 95 million people, big enough to sustain a system of training, practice and publishing that is largely unaware of the developments in Britain and the US, or in neighbouring countries such as France or the Netherlands. Researching the area often felt like mapping a minefield, as terminology was elusive, diverse and contradictory, and some comments between the lines hinted at the hostility, competition and confusion between some German art therapy factions. Even though different approaches could be identified, few have developed into distinct schools; they often overlap and refer to established theory and practice of great variety, and draw from such models as the educational, medical, psychological, psychoanalytic, psychiatric and artistic.

This article attempts to screen the large body of German art therapy literature. In the first part I look briefly at art therapy training and professional organisation and regulation in Germany. In the following section I describe and discuss the main approaches identified in the literature and limit my research to books published from 1990 to 1999.1 leave aside anthroposophical art therapy, an approach based on the philosophy and teaching of Rudolf Steiner. Even though this approach makes up a large portion of German art therapy, it constitutes a field in itself and requires an analysis of Steinerian philosophy Anthroposophy which cannot be done in the frame of this article. In addition, I look at the literature concerning professional issues.

To set the scene and explain the wealth of literature and the diversity of German art therapy approaches, I look at the way art therapy is taught, organised and regulated in Germany and take a glance first at the terminology used.