ABSTRACT
The essence of art therapy is—as Ulman said—that it must be true to both parts of its name—art and therapy. The primary goal of the art activity, therefore, must be therapy. This usually includes assessment as well as treatment, for any therapist needs to understand who and what they are treating. Even the words of the therapist may be indistinguishable from those a friendly teacher might use. The primary distinctions are invisible—inside the mind of the art therapist and of the participant(s). The distinctions between art therapy and art education are especially likely to be blurred in the area of art with the disabled. Two professionals with a foot in each field once diagnosed both disciplines as suffering from “a shared identity crisis.” As art has become more widely available to people with disabilities, art therapists often sensitize and train artists and art educators who offer creative experiences.
