Very toxic – Handle with care. Some aspects of the maternal function in art therapy

Abstract

This paper looks at some of the key components of traditional art therapy practice from an object relations perspective. I suggest that there is no therapeutic relationship without a setting and explore this through the idea of the art therapy studio being like Winnicott's facilitating environment and by looking at aspects of the non-verbal role of the therapist. The concepts of maternal holding and containment are seen as important elements in the therapeutic process. Case material is provided to illustrate how a non-interpretive, but actively relational, model of art therapy can result in significant change.

Keywords:

• Art therapy studio
• facilitating environment
• holding
• containment
• creative transformation