Art Psychotherapy Groups in The Hostile Environment of Neoliberalism: Collusion or Resistance?

Description

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. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of contributors Acknowledgements PART 1 RESISTING CAPTURE CHAPTER 1 THE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER 2 CAUGHT IN CONTRADICTION CHAPTER 3 ART THERAPY AS RESISTANCE PART 2 GRENFELL CHAPTER 4 LATIMER COMMUNITY ART THERAPY: DEVELOPING FROM THE GRASSROOTS AFTER GRENFELL CHAPTER 5 ‘THIS IS OUR GROUP’: ART THERAPY WITH ADOLESCENTS IN THE SHADOW OF GRENFELL CHAPTER 6 DON’T GO OUT THAT DOOR: THE PRESSURE ON A SCHOOL TO PERFORM/ CONFORM WHILST ITS COMMUNITY FACES THE AFTERMATH OF A DISASTER PART 3 AGAINST ALL ODDS CHAPTER 7 A PLACE OF SAFETY OR A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT?: HOW ENACTMENT IN AN ART PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP REVEALED IMPACTS OF IMMIGRATION CONTROLS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ASYLUM SEEKERS AND MIGRANTS DETAINED IN A PSYCHIATRIC UNIT CHAPTER 8 PRISON CELLS: TRANSGENERATIONAL TRAUMA AND ART PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUPS WITH WOMEN IN PRISON CHAPTER 9 PROTESTED SPACE: ARTWORKS MADE IN A THERAPEUTIC ART STUDIO UNDER THREAT FROM CUTS CHAPTER 10 WITNESSING THE EDGE: REFLECTIONS ON CO-FACILITATING A MEN’S ART THERAPY GROUP IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN GREECE EPILOGUE: POLITICS IN ACTION Index