Arts therapies for different client/patient groups

Abstract

This collection of articles is created and published by the Erasmus Lifelong Learning Intensive programme project “Arts Therapies for different client/patient groups” (2011/2012) in Rīga Stradiņš University, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Professional Master’s study programme “Arts Therapies” in collaboration with project partners. The articles are based on the content of theoretical presentations and workshops from the authors during Intensive programme activities. The collection of articles describes theoretical and practical work with health care discipline – arts therapies specialisations ? art therapy, dance movement therapy, music therapy possibilities with different client/patient groups in health care, social care and educational settings. The collection of articles includes different arts therapists from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany and Great Britain, and their practical experience summary. The case studies are results of recent research in the field of arts therapies. The articles emphasise and characterise the specifics of arts therapies specialisations, and offer the possibilities in work with different client/patient groups. Multidimensional views to practical part of arts therapies work are offered in the collection. It also demonstrates various therapeutic frameworks, integration of medical, psychological theories used as basis of the applicability of arts therapies, offers some aspects of art-based assessment, and shares useful experience. The authors offer contemporary approaches in arts therapies work. The main goals of the project were to provide exchange of experiences through activities among project partners; to acquire and develop new knowledge and skills; to create guidance materials for arts therapies work for different client/patient groups; and to encourage further arts therapies development in the project participating countries.