Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy: Toward an Understanding of Embodied Empathy

by Mitchell Kossak

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Author: Mitchell Kossak

Publisher: Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 0398081360
ISBN 13: 978-0398081362

Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy: Toward an Understanding of Embodied Empathy addresses how the arts in practice and in therapeutic contexts offer expanded ways of being attuned to emotional states and life conditions with individuals, relationships, groups, and communities. Each chapter clearly articulates how to utilize the arts in order to tune in to self, other and a larger mystical, sacred or spiritual presence. This book allows the reader to intimately enter into the core essence of what artists and arts based therapists experience in their studios and in the practice of expressive arts therapy. Through a solid theoretical grounding that draws on an interdisciplinary understanding of how rhythm, resonance, improvisation, relational-attachment, intimacy, developmental play, transpersonal psychology and multiple intelligences contribute to an embodied experience of empathy, poignant stories from the author's 35 years as an artist and therapist come alive, allowing the reader to experience the spirit and essence of how the arts have been used throughout history to maintain healthy physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Spontaneity, heightened sensitivity to inner states, deep connectivity to self and other, and an awareness of energetic and embodied shifts in consciousness are some of the common links that are explored. This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in how to create shared communal spaces that can help to transcend individual and community trauma, malaise and anxieties, leading to more integrative and meaningful experiences in order to creatively find ways to collectively engaging with the complexities this life continually offers.

Review

Mitchell Kossak's work in this book brings another voice to the choir of those seeking to understand and articulate the power, and dare I say magic, of what occurs in the contexts of creative arts therapy encounters. Drawing from the deep well of his experiences with music, drama, movement, visual arts and clinical work in psychiatric hospitals, group homes and other treatment settings, Kossak weaves an inspiring and intelligent description of the phenomena of therapeutic attunement. Each segment of the book is infused with the rich experiences of a skilled therapist, dedicated teacher, and practicing artist. --Bruce L. Moon, Ph.D., ATR-BC, HLM, Professor of Art Therapy, Mount Mary University, Author of many books including, 'Art and Soul: Reflections on an Artistic Psychology', and 'Introduction to Art Therapy: Faith in the Product'

Dr. Herman, in The Journal of Applied Arts and Health book review, describes 'This is a book written with a deep respect for those that have influenced the author's thinking. . . . Mitchell Kossak's voice and personal experience create a richly woven composition of the many theories, practices and step-by-step scores for both beginning and advanced practitioners. . . . He issues us a unique personal invitation to attune to his process and those who have inspired him . . . a whirlwind tour of the history of body-centered psychotherapies, transcendental practices and developmental theory. . . Snippets from the conducting of therapy sessions are interwoven throughout the book in which the reader can witness the therapist as co-creator. . . . Kossak gives a moving account of his own responses to the experience of working with collective trauma in Israel and Peru.' --Dr. Lisa Herman/The Journal of Applied Arts and Health/6.3 isuue

Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy is an inspiring book that brings to life the depth, wisdom, heart and soul of intermodal expressive arts therapy. Doctor Mitchell Kossak demonstrates through rich client examples across cultures ranging from people with autism to higher functioning adults in graduate education how mindfulness, presence, and the arts are integrated to carefully attune to others and bring about transformation. This important book palpably demonstrates that the expressive arts are much more than applied techniques. Instead, Doctor Kossak illustrates and transmits through his many examples and embodied writing style, the significance for therapists to walk the talk demonstrating how the therapist s mindful awareness, compassionate presence, attunement, practice, and improvisational artistic skillfulness in each moment are necessary to bring forth the most alive healing interaction to meet the needs of individuals, groups, and communities. A must read for anyone wanting to learn the true training in integrated expressive arts from a master musician, expressive arts therapist, body-oriented psychotherapist, and spiritual practitioner! --Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., MFT, REAT, ATR-BC, author of Mindfulness and the Arts Therapies: Theory and Practice.

About the Author

Mitchell Kossak, Ph.D., LMHC, REAT, is an associate professor in the Expressive Therapies department at Lesley University. Previously he was the Division Director, 2006-2013 and academic coordinator for the Lesley University Israel extension campus 1999-2006. He has been the executive co-chair/president of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) since 2010. He has been a licensed mental health counselor since 1994, and a registered expressive arts therapist (REAT) since 2009. He is the associate editor of the Journal of Applied Arts and Health and fellow of the Institute for Arts and Health at Lesley University. His clinical work combines expressive arts therapy and body-centered approaches. Dr. Kossak has trained in a variety of mind body modalities and has studied and practiced energy- based healing forms such as Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Vispassana meditation, and Iyengar yoga for over 30 years. He earned his doctorate from the Union Institute and University in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy and Transpersonal Psychology. He has written about and presented his research on rhythmic attunement, improvisation, psychospiritual and community-based approaches to working with trauma and embodied states of consciousness at conferences nationally and internationally. Dr. Kossak is also a professional musician, performing for the past 30 years in the Boston area.

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Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy: Toward an Understanding of Embodied Empathy