Publications
I have written articles and chapters exploring the philosophical background of holistic art therapy; the Paradigm of Inter-being or Interdependence within ancient spiritual tradtions and Buddhism as well as within Quantum sciences. How is this integrated into art therapy? What is 'ecological' art therapy - art therapy that treats the person as part of the living ecological field, receiving and responding to influences that arise and contributing to its qualities? How do we practice art therapy in a way that benefits both the person and nature?
'Earth-based' art therapy is another name for art therapy practised with awareness of the body's role and our kinship with the rest of nature - the land, trees and animals in the client's life or proximal to the therapy.
Art therapy can be practise and conceptalised with a deep respect for our mythic faculties, our natural neurological tendencey towards narrative, the stories transmitted down our families and cultures and how their imagery influences us.
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Some of art therapy's roots can be found in earth-based spiritual traditions, in their many ways - such as the transformations effected through body art, masks, costume, dance, ritual, drama - of facilitating human challenges and transitions from life stage to life stage, from birth to death and everything in between.
I include many practical examples from my client work and describe in detail some core practices developed and adpated within ecological art therapy and useful in trainings for art therapists. These can be found in the following publications: other publications in Russian language only are listed below.
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"The Art of Mindful Walking in Art Therapy", Chapter 7, in Environmental Expressive Therapies: Nature-assisted Theory & Practice, (2017) Kopytin, A. & Rugh, M. (eds).
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"A Communion of Subjects", Chapter 3, in Green Studio: Nature and The Arts in Therapy, (2016) Kopytin, A. & Rugh, M. (eds). NOVA Science, New York.
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