The Use of Art in Counseling Child and Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Based on 17 years of clinical work in both the United States and the United Kingdom, this book presents a comprehensive discussion on the use of art in counselling sexually abused children, their families, and both adult and adolescent sex offenders. Using concepts of the "trauma model" and other current theoretical models that have been shown to be effective, and drawing on case examples from her own clinical experience, Maralynn Hagood demonstrates how art therapy, counselling and psychotherapy can be blended, and tailored to the needs of the individual. She emphasises the dangers of interpreting artwork in diagnosis, arguing that it is the process of art-making which has therapeutic value.

Maralynn M. Hagood MSc, PhD, C Couns Psychol, MFCC, RATh currently works for the National Health Service Occupational Health Department in Lanarkshire, Scotland. She also works privately and has taught the use of art in counselling at California State University, Edinburgh University, Bradford University and Dundee University.