1st Edition
Art Therapy and Learning Disabilities Don't guess my happiness
In this book Stephanie Bull and Kevin O’Farrell bring together practising clinicians who provide an insight into using contemporary art therapy with people with learning disabilities. The authentic voice of people who have learning disabilities is central to the book, and case examples, snapshots of thoughts, dialogue, photographs and artwork are included to ensure that the subjects' voices are heard.
The book covers:
- having a learning disability
- loss and bereavement
- attachment and separation
- infantilisation
- fear
- powerlessness
- self and identity.
This accessible and thought-provoking book is essential reading for anyone involved with people with learning disabilities including art therapists, psychotherapists, counsellors, students and carers.
Sinason, Foreword. O’Farrell, Introduction. Bull, Personalisation and a New Landscape for Learning Disability Services. Part I: Having a Learning Disability. Caven, The Question of What to Say and How to Say it? Part II: Loss. Dee, Loss, Bereavement and Learning Disabilities – A Theoretical Overview. Dee, Shaping Loss. Bull and Shallcross, Leila’s Shunt: "If I Did Not Have the Shunt in My Head I Would Have Been OK". Part III: Attachment and Separation. Storey, Skating in the Dark. Part IV: Infantilisation. Goody, Stuck in Childhood? Part V: Fear. Ashby, The Long Fingers of Fear. Part VI: Powerlessness. Bruckland, "It Makes Me Jump When I Fall Over". Part VII: Self and Identity. Bull, "The Beast Can Scream". O’Farrell, Conclusion.
Biography
Stephanie Bull, Kevin O’Farrell
"I am greatly honoured to be asked to endorse this book: its publication is an occasion to rejoice in the rich and diverse art therapy practice it depicts but primarily, in the sensitive involvement of service users and carers. How refreshing it is to really hear their voices and see the world from their perspective! Within a book dedicated to Learning Disability, the clients’ abilities, their strength and inner resources shine through.....This book however demonstrates that intelligent, sensitive and client-centred approaches to art therapy practice are immensely effective for service users and rewarding for the practitioners. It also addresses several related issues such as physical disabilities and will therefore be of interest to anybody connected with this work and provide food for thought to many clinicians regardless of their professional backgrounds. As it uses clear and accessible language throughout, it is also accessible to anyone who has a link with learning disabilities and manages to engage lay readers through good use of narratives and the art." – Val Huet, Art Therapist & Organisation Consultant; Chief Executive Officer, British Association of Art Therapists
