As our first editorial acting as co-editors for this journal it is a pleasure to present this issue, which includes four diverse articles featuring very different art therapy practices and theories, and yet each in its own way, speaks about the importance of developing a collaborative relationship and enabling the client to not only find a way forward through their particular issues, but to develop a lasting resilience. The development of resilience can also be seen as a positive way to counter the negative connotation surrounding the term ‘vulnerable’, a word often used to describe many of the clients we work with.
Cordy Askey presents an article which explores the use of the story of Frankenstein within art therapy by a client living with a learning disability. Askey discusses the themes that arise for his client ‘Ben’ and how, by engaging with ‘Ben’s’ preoccupation with the Frankenstein story, Askey is able to meet Ben within a metaphor of his choosing, and safely engage with issues Ben needed to face, namely; death, loss, abandonment and relationships.
The term resilience has many different meanings, depending upon the field it is used in, however, most definitions refer to a process of adaption following adversity. Within art therapy resilience can be described as the creative capacity to adapt well, and maintain one's physical and mental health, when faced with challenging circumstances and adversity, e.g.: illness, loss, trauma, tragedy or stressful situations. Resilience also focuses on the positive individual strengths of a person and their ability to ‘overcome’ adversity.
The article by Jones et al. provides an overview of long- and short-term art therapy treatment approaches, used in the USA for military service personnel living with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The treatments described begin in the first instance with therapist-led approaches, developing into an increasingly patient-led format, and provide guidance to art therapists working with military veterans, but also for those working in the more general field of PTSD and TBI.
It is claimed that resilience is not something that people are born with, rather it is something that can be learned and developed. However, this belief misses a vital point made by many research studies, which is that the primary factor for the development of resilience is having loving, caring and supportive relationships. While this can be provided on a short-term basis by the art therapist, this does not provide an ongoing solution for those who are isolated and vulnerable. Consequently these are the very individuals who struggle most with resilience.
Darewych & Bowers provide an article which describes the theoretical framework and practical interventions of positive arts therapists. They suggest that as a creative clinical tool, positive arts therapy promotes psychological well-being, through placing an emphasis on enabling the client to develop positive emotions, personal meanings and resilience.
Resilience is also often wrongly assumed to be a personality trait, something you are born with, whereas in reality it is perhaps a support system you are born into. The concern here is that the concept of resilience as a personality trait places the onus on the client, thus they can be judged and found to be lacking if they do not possess resilience, when in reality, what they lack is the support system that allows them to be resilient. This begs the question ‘can resilience be learned?’ Certainly it seems that developing a personal support system is a key factor in ‘learning’ resilience.
The article by Granot et al. describes Jungian art therapists’ perceptions of Jungian theory and its use within art therapy. The use of archetypes, myth and symbolism are thought to facilitate the drive for self-realisation and individuation within the client. The paper suggests that Jungian art therapists consider the fundamental benefits of Jungian theory as the unique language it provides, and the way in which symbols are seen as universal as well as transformative.
Whatever the theoretical basis underpinning the varying approaches to art therapy practice, and whatever the perspective on resilience, it appears that there is agreement that the ongoing support of others is required. Resilience is not something that can be generalised and learned by rote, rather it is a personal journey of developing strategies and support systems that work on an individual basis. We would welcome further studies on this area as there is a significant opportunity for research in the field of art therapy and resilience, in particular the role art therapy can play in building a person's creative capacity to adapt to adversity.