Using Drawings in Clinical Practice: Enhancing Intake Interviews and Psychological Testing

Clinicians are always in need of enticing techniques to engage clients on a daily basis, especially those who are nonverbal or initially opposed to feedback. Using Drawings in Clinical Practice provides a rich variety of drawing directives to enhance the diagnostic process. In this highly illustrated text, clinicians will discover the tools they need to interact effectively with their clients. The book places special emphasis on intake interviewing and psychological testing, where the potential for uncovering hidden conflicts and therapeutic direction is especially poignant. Case studies provide a comprehensive overview of how to introduce simple drawings and gain remarkable insights. Using Drawings in Clinical Practice is a crucial guidebook for professionals who seek new ways to facilitate meaningful communication and interactions in their practice settings.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: DRAWINGS IN EVERYDAY PRACTICE Case study – Sarah E. Using drawings in clinical settings Why use drawings? Case study – Cheyenne R. Drawings can be reassuring Case study – Paul K. Case study – Alice W. Strengthening insight and problem solving Disclosing temperament Case study – Sam K. Identifying goals and motivation Talking through images Vital points Expansion of interpersonal engagement Stimulating inspiration Case study – Marcia T. Concluding remarks References Chapter 2: FOUNDATIONS OF CLINICAL DRAWINGSHistorical aspects of clinical drawings Images of psychological maturation Developmental sequences Cognitive maturation Case study – Paul B. Emotional indicators Case study – James D. Symbols of mental illness Freud and Jung Creative pursuits in psychotherapy Case study – Elizabeth G. Art therapy as a discipline Interactions of art therapy and psychology Case study – Lakandra F. Case study – Charlotte P. Controversies in drawing interpretation From psychology to art therapy assessments Silver drawing tests Diagnostic drawing series The person picking an apple from a tree Enhancement to assessment Cautionary tales Concluding comments References Chapter 3: HOUSE-TREE-PERSON AND VARIATIONSHuman figures and everyday objects House-Tree-Person House drawings Case study – Keli R. Case study – Karl C. The tree Case study – Sakura R. Case study – Sierra A. Human figures Case study – Joseph S. Case study – Melissa B. Case study – Monique W. Kinetic house-tree-person Case study – Mandy S. Draw-a-person-in-the-rain Case study – Toni N. Family drawing procedures Draw-a-family Case study – Marla B. Kinetic-family Case study – Arlene G. Family-centered-circle Case study – Eddie C. Mother-and-child Case study – Alice W. References Chapter 4: ALTERNATIVE DRAWING DIRECTIVESBroadening the interpersonal encounter Timelines Case study – Lauren F. Genograms Case study – Nosian H. Family shield Case study – Albert J. Draw your world Case study – Amku L. Draw yourself with friends Kinetic school drawings Case study – Kesandra B. Draw your "ideal" self Case study – Carla S. Draw your (current) mood Case study – Consuela L. Defining and resolving problems Case study – Alysha G. Before, during, and after crises Case study – Loren Y. Ending remarks References Chapter 5: USING DRAWINGS DURING CLINICAL INTERVIEWSInformation gathering Case study – Jacob D. Conducting an initial interview Case study – Lori S. Behavioral observations Case study – Eduardo L. Case study - Randall M. The crux of the interview Types of clinical interviews Intake interviews Case study – Marilyn C. Mental status exam Case study – Breanna P. Trauma interviews CAPS Case study – Kienna T. Trauma symptom inventory Case study – Nina F. Trauma symptom checklist for children Case study – Leyanna G. Sexual abuse indicators in drawings Case study – Louis T. Benefits and limitations Case study – Cheryl N. Family evaluations Sharing of conflicts Case study – Jason A. An enhancement to practitioners References Chapter 6: COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS Case study – Max T. Case study – Janette B. Psychological testing within the assessment process Requests from treating professionals Case study – Carlos B. Responding to referral questions Case study – Malcolm S. Identifying presenting problems The role of psychologists Case study – Deborah M. Case study - Charles L. Puzzles that need solutions Principles of psychological testing Components of psychological evaluations Selecting a test battery Intellectual assessment Academic achievement Neuropsychological testing Personality measures Behavior rating scales Projective techniques Drawings in the test battery Case study – Janice L. Case study – John R. The psychological report Summaries of psychological evaluations Marvin S. Allison T. Closing words References

About the Author :
Gerald D. Oster, PhD, has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings for more than 35 years. He is currently providing therapy and assessment services in private practice; he also supervises graduate students in psychological testing. In the past, he held the titles of clinical associate professor of psychiatry and psychology internship director. He has co-authored numerous books and professional publications, including Using Drawings in Assessment and Therapy: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals.

Review :
"Using Drawings in Clinical Practice is a gift to the field. Through a comprehensive approach describing the use of drawings as aids in the cognitive and emotional understanding of clients in mental health practice, Oster provides a valuable counterpoint to highly structured diagnostic and treatment systems that often are unable to provide an in depth understanding of clients' inner lives. This important book should be of value to a diverse group of mental health practitioners." —Stewart Gabel, MD, former chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Children's Hospital Colorado "Gerald Oster has written a comprehensive and expansive book that can be used as a teaching tool for mental health professionals and students. The case studies are personalized, pertinent, and thought provoking. The drawings tangibly display worries and concerns so they can be evaluated for the benefit of healthy therapeutic interventions. Throughout the book, Dr. Oster describes methods all mental health professionals can utilize in their everyday practice. From introduction to evaluation to closing, this book gives in-depth insight." —Marcie Brooks, MA, LPCC, therapist in private practice and adjunct faculty at Southwestern College "As a psychologist using drawings mainly with my PTSD/DID clients, I appreciate this book’s coverage of reasons to use art forms, case vignettes, historic background, and resources. Therapists of all experience levels will find Using Drawings in Clinical Practice useful; it has encouraged me to offer drawing to my adult clientele. Thank you, Dr. Oster!" —Joan M. Offerle, PhD, Austin, Texas "Gerald Oster has written a richly detailed and highly accessible guide to generating and making strategic use of images in assessment and therapy, regardless of one's theoretical orientation. This thoughtfully constructed text empowers clinicians to compassionately elicit drawings and verbal metaphors to support efficient rapport building, emotional expression, and perspective taking. Clients of all ages and diagnostic histories can benefit from these simple, brief approaches and the conversations that ensue. Plentiful case illustrations aid the reader's learning." —Joshua Semiatin, PhD, clinical psychologist, Baltimore, Maryland "Gerald Oster's Using Drawinsg in Clinical Practice... provides strong support for the use of these drawings when working with challenging clients, and he argues that projective drawings help in developing more accurate treatment recommendations for the client... Oster includes rich case examples and sample drawings to enhance his discussion of these tools... Oster provides numerous drawing tasts taht will be useful to clinicians looking to connect with clients and aid in gathering data to inform treatment." --Meera Rastogi, University of Cincinnati, PsycCritiques