Insight Into Adlerian Art Therapy: Through the Lens of Individual Psychology;

This non-fiction book describes the theoretical constructs and practical techniques of Individual Psychology as they inform the creative process of group art therapy. According to Individual Psychology, we all can be successful by working together, by adapting in ways that will help us survive in our environment, not by some working for the benefit of others. Without this synergy of collective consciousness there will be no collective wisdom. Alfred Adler called this Gemeinschaftsgefühl: giving to and receiving from others in the spirit of social equality. Sadie “Tee” Dreikurs, the wife of Rudolf Dreikurs, one of the founders of Adler University (formerly the Alfred Adler Institute), developed a course called “The Use of Art in Group Counseling.” As her student, assistant, and friend, Dr. Sutherland was able to study Tee’s unique approach to art therapy through an Adlerian perspective. In the 1990s Dr. Sutherland used those methods Tee developed to create the M.A. in Counseling: Art Therapy program at Adler. In this book Dr. Sutherland assembles the Art Directives Tee employed in the classroom, and offers her own contributions to Tee’s theoretical approach along with how it has worked in her teaching and practice. The book is a collection of personal curricular essays that are also invitations to readers to use their own art as a mirror to life and a way to create community with others. This interdisciplinary approach to art therapy integrates thoughts on philosophy, education, art, ethics, sociocultural issues, dreams, addiction, research, professional development, and supervision, all of which informed the M.A. in Counseling: Art Therapy program at Adler University. Dr. Sutherland’s wish is that those who read this book will find a common ground with their own thoughts, beliefs and values.