Art Therapy as a Method with Creative Works : In a Practical Case of School Refusal with Psychosomatic Symptoms

Various types (methods) of art therapy are now practiced in clinical areas. This study examines the possibility of applying Educational Art Therapy proposed by H.-G. RICHTER to clinical praxis. The main focus of this art therapy is the assertion that the healing power lies in the creative and aesthetic process since, as H.-G. RICHTER says, 1)art is open to all, and 2)synthesis is important in aesthetic experience. The works created at the therapy should be regarded as transitional objects according to D. W. WINNICOTT. Through the aesthetic works, affective and cognizance processes are integrated and therefore the ego will be strengthened. In order to practice this art therapy, therapists are responsible for 1)preparing a sheltered and safe atmosphere, 2)presenting possibilities for solving the problem and not solving it by themselves, and 3)not interpreting the contents of works but their structure. In addition, this study reports a practical case of school refusal with psychosomatic symptoms to which this theory (method) of art therapy is applied as treatment