ABSTRACT

This chapter provides the most comprehensive instruction on the development of art therapy assessments through research published to date. Art therapists are encouraged to understand assessment research to enable clinically sound decision making about assessment selection and application. The development of art therapy assessments and scoring and evaluation procedures is presented through examples from previous research. Pertinent concepts such as validity and reliability of art therapy assessments as used with a range of client populations are detailed. Bornstein’s exemplary process-based approach and its parallel with humanistic approaches in art therapy assessment is explained from a contemporary neuroscience perspective. Concepts related to triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data, including attention to media dimension variables and the Expressive Therapies Continuum, are underscored. Finally, guidance on how art therapists can continue to improve assessment strategies through further investigations of existing instruments and approaches is provided.