2017 Spring Art Therapy Workshop: Juliet L. King
The FSU Department of Art Education’s Art Therapy Program, in coordination with FSU’s Art Therapy Association (FSU-ATA), hosted their annual spring workshop on Saturday, February 25, 2017. This year’s guest lecturer was Juliet L. King, who presented on two topics: Neuroscience and Neuroanatomy: What Art Therapists Need to Know and The Magic Synthesis: Integrating Art Therapy and Neuroscience – Theoretical, Practical, and Proven.
Juliet L. King, MA, ATR-BC, LCP is an Assistant Professor and Director of the graduate art therapy program at Herron School of Art and Design and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the IU School of Medicine. Having over 15 years of experience as a clinician, administrator, and professor of art therapy education, Professor King has lead the development and expansion of over 30 clinical internship programs in the city of Indianapolis. In addition to extensively focusing on integrative care for veterans and their families, Professor King currently conducts research exploring the integration of creativity, art therapy, and neuroscience, with an emphasis on neuroanatomical correlates of consciousness. Recently, she edited and published a textbook: Art Therapy, Trauma and Neuroscience: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives.“
With her accumulated knowledge and experience in art therapy and neuroscience, Professor King conducted a valuable and enlightening workshop experience! On February 25th, 2017, the annual spring art therapy workshop began with registration, taking place from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. with a light breakfast. From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Professor King conducted the lecture portion of the workshop, followed by an hour-long complementary lunch period. Afterwards, the art-making portion of Professor King’s workshop was held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in FSU William Johnston Building (WJB).
The following is a description of the 2017 spring art therapy workshop provided by Professor King:
The fields of art therapy and neuroscience are inextricably linked, much like the processes of consciousness and unconsciousness, the mind and body, and the limbic system and cerebral cortex. Applying art therapy theory, treatment, and research within a neuroscience framework is crucial to understanding and helping the clients we work with. Understanding art therapy in the context of neuroscience will substantiate support within the healthcare and insurance communities for the practice of the profession, as well as invigorate legislative and licensure efforts nationwide.
This presentation will help to explain with science the perceived tenets of art therapy: 1) That the bi-lateral and multi-directional processes of creativity are healing and life enhancing; 2) That the materials and methods utilized effect self expression, assist in self-regulation, and are applied in specialized ways; and 3) That the art making process and the artwork itself are integral components of treatment that help to elicit and decode verbal and nonverbal communication within an attuned therapeutic relationship.
Explaining these tenets and their interventions in a neurobiological framework is especially relevant in the treatment of trauma and will be summarized in an accessible format that is applicable for an audience of students, educators, clinicians and researchers.
