Art, Creativity, and Psychoanalysis: Perspectives from Analyst-Artists collects personal reflections by therapists who are also professional artists. It explores the relationship between art and analysis through accounts by practitioners who identify themselves as dual-profession artists and analysts. The book illustrates the numerous areas where analysis and art share common characteristics using first-hand, in-depth accounts. These vivid reports from the frontier of art and psychoanalysis shed light on the day-to-day struggle to succeed at both of these demanding professions.

From the beginning of psychoanalysis, many have made comparisons between analysis and art. Recently there has been increasing interest in the relationship between artistic and psychotherapeutic practices. Most important, both professions are viewed as highly creative with spontaneity, improvisation and aesthetic experience seeming to be common to each. However, differences have also been recognized, especially regarding the differing goals of each profession: art leading to the creation of an art work, and psychoanalysis resulting in the increased welfare and happiness of the patient. These issues are addressed head-on in Art, Creativity, and Psychoanalysis: Perspectives from Analyst-Artists.

The chapters consist of personal essays by analyst/artists who are currently working in both professions; each has been trained in and is currently practicing psychoanalysis or psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The goal of the book is to provide the audience with a new understanding of psychoanalytic and psychotherapeutic processes from the perspective of art and artistic creativity. Drawing on artistic material from painting, poetry, photography, music and literature, the book casts light on what the creative processes in art can add to the psychoanalytic endeavor, and vice versa.

Art, Creativity, and Psychoanalysis: Perspectives from Analyst-Artists will appeal to psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists, theorists of art, academic artists, and anyone interested in the psychology of art.

About the Author

George Hagman, LCSW, is a clinical social worker and psychoanalyst in private practice in New York and Stamford, Connecticut. He is on the faculty of the Training and Research Institute for Self Psychology, and the Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. This book is a companion piece to Hagman's prior Routledge volume Creative Analysis: Art, Creativity and Clinical Process (2015).

Reviews

"Art, Creativity and Psychoanalysis: Perspectives from Analyst-Artists is a fascinating series of personal/theoretical essays by 12 psychoanalyst-artists. Each traces a personal journey into what seems, but isn't, a double life. Together these narratives expand and complicate our understanding of the dynamic function of art and the ways that it informs psychoanalytic practice."-Joyce Slochower, Ph.D., Faculty, NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. Author of Holding and Psychoanalysis: A relational Perspective. 2nd Edition, Routledge, 2013 and Psychoanalytic Collisions, 2nd Edition, Routledge, 2014.

"This exciting volume introduces us to the artist who lives in the therapist and the therapist in the artist. Moving, honest and self-reflective, the authors vividly portray their personal journeys and illustrate the many ways in which we touch the mind. Filled with wisdom, beauty and pain."-Galit Atlas, Ph.D., Faculty, NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy Author of The Enigma OF Desire: Sex, Longing and Belonging in Psychoanalysis, Routledge, 2016.

"Art, Creativity, and Psychoanalysis: Perspectives from Analyst-Artists is a profoundly revealing and deeply enriching collection of essays. Each fascinating chapter reads like a short story. The contributors embody the vital, relational engagement that is the foundation of clinical and artistic practice. Those interested in the healing and creative arts will benefit from reading these vivid testimonials."-Carol M. Press, Ed.D., author of The Dancing Self: Creativity, Modern Dance, Self Psychology and Transformative Education, Hampton Press, 2002.

Book Information
ISBN 9781138859128
Author George Hagman
Format Paperback
Page Count 214
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 385g