Arts Therapies and Clients with Eating Disorders - by Ditty Dokter (Paperback)

About the Book

Eating disorders are of increasing concern in the medical and psychiatric professions. Growing awareness that the arts therapies have something unique and positive to offer led to the publication of this book by experts in all areas of the arts therapies.

Book Synopsis

Eating disorders are of increasing concern in the medical and psychiatric professions. Growing awareness that the arts therapies have something unique and positive to offer led to the publication of this book by experts in all areas of the arts therapies. The symptoms and aetiology ascribed to such disorders and the treatment methods prescribed to clients are discussed, and the chapters go on to focus on the use of specific arts therapies within this area, including discussions of the theoretical models they are based on, the methodologies used and the as yet small amount of research that has been completed.

Review Quotes

An invaluable addition to the bookshelves of anyone working with clients suffering from eating disorders. Every chapter contains something of interest. This informative book is brought to life with interesting cases clearly showing the various processes involved in clients' recovery. It is certainly a stimulating read and I came away from it with lots of new ideas.--Counselling

Dick Blackwell's preface and Ditty Dokter's introduction provide an excellent summary of the book's overall message - the necessity to communicate with those who have no words for their suffering. Although we use words to describe what art therapy does, we cannot hope to achieve that communication without reaching beyond words through art. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to students and practitioners of all helping services, particularly the arts therapies. It enables us to reach beyond the boundaries of our lives, and to appreciate the many ways in which we might break through the limits of our cultural assumptions.--American Journal of Art Therapy

The book includes illustrations and poems by Elise Warriner whose own experience with serious food problems led her to communicate her experiences through word and image. Much of her work is focused on trying to make people look at food in a different light. The book's illustrations include Table Setting shown on the cover, which illustrates the frustration of anorexics when faced with the necessity of eating. The table setting is made of liquidised paper and fruit skins. Fr those working within this field I would suggest that this book is a necessity.--British Journal of Occupational Therapy

This is most attractive book, well produced, it is a daunting task for a reviewer to do justice to the rich variety of the work described. This is one of the most interesting books on eating disorders I have seen in recent years. It deserves to be widely read and I am sure it will contribute to the much-needed debate between the arts therapies and psycho-analysis.--British Journal of Music Therapy

This substantial book makes a convincing case for the use of arts therapies with people with eating disorders. It makes informative and persuasive reading for therapists. I recommend the book as a welcome addition to the literature on therapy with people with eating disorders.--Therapeutic Communities

About the Author

Ditty Dokter is senior lecturer in dramatherapy at the School of Art and Design, University of Hertfordshire and Dramatherapist Senior 1, Professorial Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge