ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a variety of creative, expressive counseling approaches that may be used either as a complement to a predominately verbal orientation with a client, or as the primary therapeutic method. In essence, the counselor observes the client's work as it develops, attends to the nonverbal and verbal communication offered, and responds to clarify. Lev-Wiesel and Daphna-Tekoha noted that art therapy techniques allow the counselor to examine the client's inner language, which leads to increased insight, and Kwiatkowska stressed that art helps clients perceive themselves more clearly. According to Gladding, counselors use art in therapy with children, adolescents, college students, adults, and the elderly. It has also been used with groups, couples, and families, and with people from all ethnic backgrounds. In using various forms of the visual arts, the goal is to facilitate communication between the counselor and the client rather than mastery of art form or content.
