SKAIFE ART PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUPS

This book explores how ‘the hostile environment’ of neoliberalism affects art therapy in Britain. It shows how ambiguity in art and in psychoanalytically understood relationships can enable art psychotherapy groups to engage with class dynamics and aspire to democracy.

The book argues that art therapy needs to become a political practice if it is to resist collusion with a system that marginalises collectivity and holds individuals responsible for both their suffering and their recovery. It provides accounts of the contradictions that are thrown up by neoliberalism in art therapists’ workplaces as well as accounts of art therapy groups with those affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower, in an acute ward, a women’s prison, a community art studio and in a refugee camp.

Written by art psychotherapists for arts therapists and other mental health workers, the book will bring political awareness and consideration of resistance into all art therapy relationships, whatever the context and client group.

Sally Skaife, PhD, is an art therapist and group analyst working in mental health. She was a Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London; a chair of the British Association of Art Therapists; a member of the editorial board of Inscape and, currently, ATOL; and has numerous publications.

Jon Martyn is an art psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. He was a lecturer at Goldsmiths College and co-founded the New Art Studio, a therapeutic art studio for refugees and asylum seekers with Tania Kaczynski. He now lives in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.