Observations of children cutting up, cutting out and sticking down1

1. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the ‘Theoretical Advances of Art Therapy Conference’ Birmingham 2002.

Abstract

The process of cutting up, cutting out, and sticking down is discussed in relation to children's use of scissors in therapy. I am interested in how the observation of children working can help to trace the dynamics of the child's inner world in a way that is helpful in both understanding their distress and in aiding a growing picture of how the therapy is developing. The use of scissors, which have two blades, may suggest different internalisations of helpful or abusive parents. A discussion of Edward Scissorhands is offered to begin thinking about the destructive, creative, and decorative aspects of cutting out.

Notes

1. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the ‘Theoretical Advances of Art Therapy Conference’ Birmingham 2002.