Abstract

Parent-child-dyad art therapy is an interesting and innovative art therapy, in which parent and child share the production of an artwork. Aiming to reinforce or re-establish bonds between children and parents, it provides a space where parents' early unresolved conflicts and children's developmental abilities can be expressed. Lucille Proulx explores many aspects of dyad art therapy including attachment relationship theories, the roles of parents and art therapists in dyad interventions, the importance of the tactile experience and ways in which dyad art therapy could be used to treat other age groups. This original book, with illustrations of parent-child artwork, will be invaluable to mental health professionals in prevention and early childhood fields and also to any parents wishing to enrich their interactions with their children.
Strengthening Emotional Ties through Parent-Child-Dyad Art Therapy, a must, which should be required reading for all those interested in understanding the complex dialogue between mother and child. Lucille Proulx introduces us to some of the essential elements of this crucial interaction, which remains the one major cornerstone upon which the child will grow and develop into the person he is to become. Starting from an excellent theoretical basis, the author presents various original techniques of interventions. This is an excellent book which should be on the must read list for art therapists, educators, psychologists and parents who want to better understand and improve their parenting skills.
Pierre A.Gregoire, Ph.D., ATR., University of Montreal
Lucille Proulx, is a registered art therapist, with an MA in Art Therapy from Concordia University, Montreal, Qc, Canada. A consultant with many years of clinical art therapy experience in the fields of infant and child psychiatry, she supervises and teaches nationally and abroad. Past president of the Association des Art-Thérapeutes du Québec (AATQ), exhibiting artist, author, mother and grandmother, her current project is researching parent-child work for a PhD in art therapy
This volume offers a new and exciting model of treatment for attachment-disordered children. The unique and clearly depicted art therapy interventions will amaze the reader and enchant those seeking effective tools to facilitate the development of primary relationships. By combining the achievements of attachment theorists and investigators with her creativity and developmental expertise, Lucille Proulx has created a series of art therapy interventions that offer a delightful method of treatment consistent with current advances in psychology and the neurosciences. Strengthening Emotional Ties is a very important contribution to the field of art therapy and to mental health researchers and providers assessing and treating very young children and their families.
Linda Chapman, M.A., ATR-BC, RPT-S, University of California San Francisco Injury Center