فراتر از چهره: هنر درمانی و خود پرتره

Self-portraiture can be a means of self-reflection and accepting the self. Art therapists can be informed of the benefits and drawbacks of recreating the self by examining the art of artists who experienced melancholy and depression. Vignettes of artists whose self-portraits were healing, as well as of artists who became stuck in feelings of despair, are described. Self-portraiture is an introspective tool that can be beneficial with many client populations. Examples from the literature in art therapy regarding the use of self-portraits in therapy augment the importance of this genre and describe some of the clinical applications of self-portraiture.

Throughout time, artists have created self-portraits as a vehicle to understand themselves. In self-portraiture the artist does not have to be concerned about pleasing anyone but him or herself. Self-portraits can allow the artist to be open and receptive to the self, which is an important component of therapeutic growth. Some artists create self-portraits to depict a spiritual part of the self or use the self-portrait to depict the emotional, spiritual, or physical self to significant people in their lives (Alter-Müri, 2003). Self-portraits can be a tool to assist the artist to step back from an experience and to reflect on that experience. However, self-portraiture is not often used as a tool by art therapists. The author is interested in increasing awareness of the therapeutic potential of self-portraits, using interviews with artists and a review of the literature of some of the many artists who focused on self-portraiture during their careers. When therapists use self-portraits as a therapeutic intervention, they enrich their understanding of the ways that artists have been able to overcome and transform their life experiences. Many client populations can benefit from self-portraiture. However, in some instances self-portraiture may not be healing and may increase the potential for some individuals to sink deeper in negative thinking, repetitive patterns, and feelings of despair. Self-portraits can contribute to an artist being more vulnerable to obsessive thoughts about the self. Several artists who have concentrated on creating self-portraits have become unable to critically examine themselves. This suggests that it is important for art therapists to serve as guides in the process of self-reflection. The result of a compulsion to create self-portraiture by artists who did not have the advantage of an art therapist as a guide is described as a measurement of the indications and contraindications for self-portraiture in therapy.