Psychotherapy with People in the Arts: Nurturing Creativity

by Trepper; Terry S

• ISBN13: 9780789014900
• ISBN10: 0789014904
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-04-15
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Learn to free creativity from the shackles of emotional conflicts! This riveting collection of case histories illustrates the dark interplay of neurosis and creativity. Psychotherapy with People in the Arts explores the struggles of writers, painters, actors, and composers to reconcile their overwhelming need to create and the self-doubts, frustrations, and neuroses that block their potential. In addition to ten inspiring tales of healing and self-knowledge, Psychotherapy with People in the Arts provides a solid introduction to the primary issues related to emotional disorders and creativity. It begins with a study of the notoriously reclusive and eccentric writer J. D. Salinger. Using both theory and case example, it shows how family history, present relations, and genetics can combine to impede the flow of an artist's natural gifts-and how a good therapist can help unblock that creative power. It also includes a series of tests to diagnose blocked creativity. Psychotherapy with People in the Arts explores such compelling themes as: dealing with racism and internalized self-hatred the conflict between commercial and high art anger and blocked tears the drive for an impossible perfection emotional alienation and sexual acting out Psychotherapy with People in the Arts is a fascinating look at a complex and controversial subject. Though not everyone is a professional artist, every human being has creative potential that can be blocked by emotional disturbances. And every therapist, mental health educator, and artist will find rich sources of information and inspiration in this book. Visit the author's website at http://www.livingcenter.net

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledgments	ix
The Cracked Mirror: Neurosis and Creativity	1	(10)
Jessie and Joe: Color and the Emotions	11	(10)
May: The Writer Who Couldn't Be Serious	21	(10)
Leo: The Actor Who Couldn't Cry	31	(14)
Audrey: Black Writing and White Writing	45	(14)
Jerome and Betty: The Musician and the Painter Who Needed to Suffer	59	(8)
Norbert: The Filmmaker Who Couldn't Finish	67	(12)
Priscilla: The Writer Who Couldn't Hate Her Father	79	(8)
Alex: The Painter Who Was Too Refined to Be Commercial	87	(14)
Marvin: The Perverse Playwright	101	(18)
Appendix: Tests of Inhibited Creativity	119	(10)
References	129	(4)
Index	133