Author Description

Although this is a clinical text, it is also more a conversation than a book. It is a means of sharing the work of artists, most of whom have varying degrees of special needs. It emphasizes that handicapping conditions do not constitute a barrier for creating therapeutically meaningful art. The precepts of Edith Kramer focus on subtly suggesting media, content, or techniques, all without interfering with the artist’s preferences. This intervention came to be known as the ‘Third Hand’ where the artist in therapy is free to accept, reject or ignore the therapist’s suggestions. The case vignettes describe how aesthetic richness is also illustrative of the uniqueness of clients’ clinical stories, with the artists’ emotional or behavioral challenges overcoming and even benefiting by their conditions. The work of early pioneers who influenced Kramer’s illustrate how her own analytical methods later shaped her approach. The format in this book also questions the author as being the ultimate authority, by posing questions to the reader, says a kind of dialogue that emphasizes there are no absolutes in art, behavioral science or therapy. While espousing Kramer’s and his own ideas, Henley also includes those of other art therapists who contribute their own expertise, in the hope that the analyses will be enriched from multiple perspectives. Dr. Henley describes how her therapeutic interventions were debated during their many years of collegial interaction. By describing Kramer’s early influences and personal art history, he describes how Kramer’s interventions helped innumerable clients and trained hundreds of student therapists. These facets will hopefully enable creative arts therapists to implement her patented artist-centered interventions. The processes and artistic outcomes will lead the way, guiding the reader toward the uses of the Third Hand and hopefully bring alive the uniqueness of these special artists’ stories.