Verified by Psychology Today

Art on Trial

Confessions of a serial art therapist

Grief
Art Therapy in a “Murdered Out” Community

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on November 20, 2014

Guest blogger Rachel Nelms explores what it is like to provide art therapy to victims of violence in a “murdered out” community in Chicago. As a "socially responsible practitioner," Nelms empowers and provides a voice through art for those who experience grief and loss through the most violent of circumstances.

Guest blogger Rachel Nelms explores what it is like to provide art therapy to victims of violence in a “murdered out” community in Chicago. As a "socially responsible practitioner," Nelms empowers and provides a voice through art for those who experience grief and loss through the most violent of circumstances.

Environment
Most Violent Inmate, Very Prolific Artist--Charles Bronson

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on October 31, 2014

Considered one of the most violent and dangerous inmates of Great Britain, Charles Bronson is also quite the prolific artist.

Considered one of the most violent and dangerous inmates of Great Britain, Charles Bronson is also quite the prolific artist.

Psychiatry
Silver Linings Sketchbook

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on October 16, 2014

Guest blogger, Nicole Barash, builds upon the previous post, expanding our views and understanding of offering art therapy to forensic mental health patients. Against expectations, Ms. Barash demonstrates just how effective art making can be for this lost population.

Guest blogger, Nicole Barash, builds upon the previous post, expanding our views and understanding of offering art therapy to forensic mental health patients. Against expectations, Ms. Barash demonstrates just how effective art making can be for this lost population.

Psychiatry
One Drew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on September 30, 2014

Without working in prisons and jails, many clinicians may still find themselves facing forensic issues providing services in the Forensic Mental Health Hospital. Some argue that these settings are even more dangerous and ambiguous than a prison. Guest blogger Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña presents some of her struggles as an art therapy in such a difficult setting.

Without working in prisons and jails, many clinicians may still find themselves facing forensic issues providing services in the Forensic Mental Health Hospital. Some argue that these settings are even more dangerous and ambiguous than a prison. Guest blogger Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña presents some of her struggles as an art therapy in such a difficult setting.

Sexual Abuse
Investigation and Intervention: Forensic Art Therapy

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on September 16, 2014

The difference between forensic art therapy and art therapy in forensic settings is equivalent to the difference between investigation and intervention. Marcia Sue Cohen Liebman, the leading forensic art therapist in the field, defines and explores this concept for this post.

The difference between forensic art therapy and art therapy in forensic settings is equivalent to the difference between investigation and intervention. Marcia Sue Cohen Liebman, the leading forensic art therapist in the field, defines and explores this concept for this post.

Anger
Inmates Learn to Understand and Manage Anger Through Art

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on August 28, 2014

This post introduces us to an art therapist who used art to supplement an anger management program in a men’s prison.

This post introduces us to an art therapist who used art to supplement an anger management program in a men’s prison.

Narcissism
The Art of Murder(ers) Revisited: The Drawings of Jodi Arias

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on August 15, 2014

Convicted murderer, Jodi Arias, has been selling her drawings, first through eBay and then her own dedicated website. This post revisits an examination of the art of murderers, reflecting specifically on the revealing work Arias created.

Convicted murderer, Jodi Arias, has been selling her drawings, first through eBay and then her own dedicated website. This post revisits an examination of the art of murderers, reflecting specifically on the revealing work Arias created.

Ethics and Morality
Therapy in Prison: Where Legal, Ethics, and Morals Collide

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on August 12, 2014

In prison, therapists may find themselves in the crossroads where legal issues, ethical considerations and moral ramifications intersect and sometimes collide with another. This post explores a situation where I, as an art therapist working in a prison, experienced such conflict, and the poor moral judgment and decision that resulted.

In prison, therapists may find themselves in the crossroads where legal issues, ethical considerations and moral ramifications intersect and sometimes collide with another. This post explores a situation where I, as an art therapist working in a prison, experienced such conflict, and the poor moral judgment and decision that resulted.

Ethics and Morality
The Spinning Moral Compass of Forensic Art Therapy

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on July 29, 2014

Being ethical in our profession is one thing–but what happens if we are called to do something that may put us in a position to examine and question our own moral convictions? This post picks up where the last one left off, and provides a very personal examination of what testifying for the defense of a man who murdered his children did to my own moral compass.

Being ethical in our profession is one thing–but what happens if we are called to do something that may put us in a position to examine and question our own moral convictions? This post picks up where the last one left off, and provides a very personal examination of what testifying for the defense of a man who murdered his children did to my own moral compass.

Ethics and Morality
Ethics in Forensic Art Therapy: Defined and Conquered

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on July 17, 2014

As art therapists’ roles continue to evolve and expand, the ethical standards developed do not always fit new responsibilities. This post examines the ethical considerations and paradoxes experienced by an art therapist testifying as an expert witness for a murder trial

As art therapists’ roles continue to evolve and expand, the ethical standards developed do not always fit new responsibilities. This post examines the ethical considerations and paradoxes experienced by an art therapist testifying as an expert witness for a murder trial

Environment
Prison Art: Strings Are Attached

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on June 24, 2014

Within the rigid, controlled and tedious prison environment, it is hard to believe that beautiful, creative pieces emerge for no other reason than the strong, overpowering desire to create. This post explores one extraordinary piece that emerged from such a need, and in turn, escaped its potential destruction in the name of “contraband.”

Within the rigid, controlled and tedious prison environment, it is hard to believe that beautiful, creative pieces emerge for no other reason than the strong, overpowering desire to create. This post explores one extraordinary piece that emerged from such a need, and in turn, escaped its potential destruction in the name of “contraband.”

Trauma
Drawing Alone: Making Art in Solitary Confinement

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on June 10, 2014

This post, written by guest blogger Jaimie Burkewitz, a graduating masters student in art therapy, explores whether allowing inmates in solitary confinement the ability to express themselves through art can help them survive the loss of stimulation and human contact, and ultimately find deeper meaning.

This post, written by guest blogger Jaimie Burkewitz, a graduating masters student in art therapy, explores whether allowing inmates in solitary confinement the ability to express themselves through art can help them survive the loss of stimulation and human contact, and ultimately find deeper meaning.

Forensic Psychology
Man's Art Convicts Him of Murder. Wait… What?!?

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on May 27, 2014

In 1997, Tim Masters was wrongfully convicted of murder simply because he drew some disturbing images as a teenager.This post describes how the forensic psychologist contracted by the prosecution testified against the innocent man because of his art, and some musings on how an art therapist could have been used by the defense to counter such damning testimony.

In 1997, Tim Masters was wrongfully convicted of murder simply because he drew some disturbing images as a teenager.This post describes how the forensic psychologist contracted by the prosecution testified against the innocent man because of his art, and some musings on how an art therapist could have been used by the defense to counter such damning testimony.

Anger
Deftly Drawing Dexter

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on May 6, 2014

A tense moment on the popular Showtime series "Dexter" occurs in its final season. The main character is given three drawings he drew as a child. They are only shown for several seconds, but they are meant to reveal oh so much. Do they succeed? Do they expose the burgeoning serial killer through their colored lines and shapes? Or is this merely pop-art therapy?

A tense moment on the popular Showtime series "Dexter" occurs in its final season. The main character is given three drawings he drew as a child. They are only shown for several seconds, but they are meant to reveal oh so much. Do they succeed? Do they expose the burgeoning serial killer through their colored lines and shapes? Or is this merely pop-art therapy?

Sex
Addressing Sexual Deviance: Does Making Art Help or Hinder?

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on April 22, 2014

As a result of a recent lecture and previous blog post, a counseling professor in Kansas asked a provocative and complicated question about a sex offender drawing a pornographic image. Ultimately, do--or can-- the same beneficial dynamics a violent offender experiences through art making apply to a pedophile? The answer may be just as provocative as the question.

As a result of a recent lecture and previous blog post, a counseling professor in Kansas asked a provocative and complicated question about a sex offender drawing a pornographic image. Ultimately, do--or can-- the same beneficial dynamics a violent offender experiences through art making apply to a pedophile? The answer may be just as provocative as the question.

Law and Crime
Inmate Mural Part 3: Beacon of Hope in a Women’s Prison

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on April 8, 2014

The final Inmate Mural Arts Program project, a large, outdoor mural completed by female inmates, clearly reflected the differences in dynamics between the male and female inmates.

The final Inmate Mural Arts Program project, a large, outdoor mural completed by female inmates, clearly reflected the differences in dynamics between the male and female inmates.

Law and Crime
Inmate Mural Part 2: Escape from Alcatraz/Escape Through Art

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on March 25, 2014

What do you get when you remove jail inmates from their correctional institution and place them directly on the wall in the middle of a small rural town to complete a mural? You get a large, complex, symbol-filled painting about one of the most notorious prison breaks in history.

What do you get when you remove jail inmates from their correctional institution and place them directly on the wall in the middle of a small rural town to complete a mural? You get a large, complex, symbol-filled painting about one of the most notorious prison breaks in history.

Law and Crime
Inmate Mural Arts Program Part 1: Transformation Thru Unity

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on March 11, 2014

Learning from the Philadelphia Mural Arts program (see previous post) the Florida Department of Corrections, prison administrators and art therapists developed a pioneering Inmate Mural Arts Program in which prison inmates would learn valuable life skills and create new opportunities by designing and completing a large mural together.

Learning from the Philadelphia Mural Arts program (see previous post) the Florida Department of Corrections, prison administrators and art therapists developed a pioneering Inmate Mural Arts Program in which prison inmates would learn valuable life skills and create new opportunities by designing and completing a large mural together.

Law and Crime
Prison Murals: Inmates and Crime Victims Create Together

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on February 25, 2014

Initially seeking to create a film to capture how art can fill the gaps that emerged from lack of resources in prisons, Cindy Burstein and Tony Heriza's film captured a new dynamic—the collaboration between prisoner and crime victim. The film became: Concrete, Steel & Paint.

Initially seeking to create a film to capture how art can fill the gaps that emerged from lack of resources in prisons, Cindy Burstein and Tony Heriza's film captured a new dynamic—the collaboration between prisoner and crime victim. The film became: Concrete, Steel & Paint.

Memory
Mass Murderers—One Artist/Therapist’s Response

David Gussak Ph.D., ATR-BC on February 12, 2014

The last post reflected on how and why some people may be intrigued and perhaps even fascinated by the art of serial killers. This post introduces us to the art of a well-known art therapist, her creative response to such monstrous and dreadful crimes.

The last post reflected on how and why some people may be intrigued and perhaps even fascinated by the art of serial killers. This post introduces us to the art of a well-known art therapist, her creative response to such monstrous and dreadful crimes.