by Donna Betts (Editor), Val Huet (Editor), Vicky Karkou (Contribution by)
Case studies and perspectives from around the globe illustrate examples of effective collaborations between clinical creative arts therapists and arts in health practitioners. Reaching beyond silos, these professionals can collaborate to deliver inspirational practice in a variety of settings. Leading experts explain how they have pioneered arts-based practice, developed successful partnerships and overcome difficulties in fostering relationships to offer better support and increase access to their services by the public.
Discussions surrounding policy, funding and international initiatives towards integration offer a timely call to action. By working together, we reach collective goals of positively impacting clients' mental health, wellbeing and quality of life through the arts.
Author Biography
Dr. Donna Betts, PhD, ATR-BC, holds a PhD in Art Education and Art Therapy from Florida State University (2005) and has been a Board Certified art therapist since 2002. From 2018 - 2022 Dr. Betts was Clinical Research Director for Creative Forces(R) National Endowment for the Arts Military Healing Arts Network in the United States. She served as President of the American Art Therapy Association (2015 - 2017) and was a professor in the George Washington University Graduate Art Therapy Program (2009 - 2018). An award-winning researcher and author, Dr. Betts has lectured internationally on a range of topics. Through involvement with various organizations working to increase access to the arts in Canada and abroad, Dr. Betts continues to promote the power of the arts in improving the health, well-being, and quality of life of all people.
Dr. Val Huet is an art therapist, a group psychotherapist, and an organisational consultant. Her PhD addressed art therapy for work-related stress. She currently focuses on developing art therapy research.