Unforeseen and precipitous violence is a reality of the times we live in, but it has always been a reality in the mental health profession. The main premise of this book is to make art therapists aware of the unpredictable violence that may occur in their day-to-day work with clients and the presence of potential danger. The author stresses the importance of preventive measures to ensure safety. The preface describes the horrific event the author witnessed and her realization that psychotherapy is a dangerous profession. The first chapter sets the stage for the exploration of mass murders, violence, creativity, and mental illness. Chapter 2 provides framework for the cultural context concerning the contemporary societal and cultural landscape within which mass murders exist. Major changes in mental health laws are discussed, including the individual versus community rights in mental health systems. Chapter 3 is a brief history of the treatment of violence in the United States mental health system. Gun violence, the stigma of mental illness, and the threat assessment in schools are explored. Chapter 4 examines art, violence, and mental illness, including historic artistic figures in which violence and/or mental illness was an issue. The artwork of serial killers such as Adolf Hitler, the psychiatrically institutionalized artist Martin Ramirez, and the Outsider artist Henry Darger are discussed. The author also describes her own experience as an expert witness for the trial of serial killer Eric Leonard. Chapter 5 displays the author's mass murderers’ artwork with a brief description of each event. Chapter 6 depicts the mass murders that occurred in the United States, October 2017 through September 2018. Chapter 7 portrays a reaction to the Marjorie Stone Douglas school shooting and the essay evoked by this tragedy. Chapter 8 offers practical suggestions to help art therapists find assistance and support in a dangerous practice. Safety orientation in art therapy education programs and job orientation are provided. Chapter 9 discusses additional practical suggestions for art therapists with help and support in a dangerous practice and culture. The last chapter encompasses final comments including the danger and calling of art therapy. This unique book will be of special interest to mental health practitioners, art therapists, social workers, educational therapists, and consultants.
Review 1: Midwest Book Review
Synopsis: Unforeseen and precipitous violence is a reality of the times we live in, but it has always been a reality in the mental health profession. The main premise of "An Art Therapist's View of Mass Murders, Violence, and Mental Illness" by Maxine Borowsky Junge (Professor Emerita, Marital and Family therapy/Clinical Art Therapy Department, Loyola Marymount University) is to make art therapists aware of the unpredictable violence that may occur in their day-to-day work with clients and the presence of potential danger. Professor Junge stresses the importance of preventive measures to ensure safety. The preface describes the horrific event the author witnessed and her realization that psychotherapy is a dangerous profession. The first chapter sets the stage for the exploration of mass murders, violence, creativity, and mental illness. Chapter 2 provides framework for the cultural context concerning the contemporary societal and cultural landscape within which mass murders exist. Major changes in mental health laws are discussed, including the individual versus community rights in mental health systems. Chapter 3 is a brief history of the treatment of violence in the United States mental health system. Gun violence, the stigma of mental illness, and the threat assessment in schools are explored. Chapter 4 examines art, violence, and mental illness, including historic artistic figures in which violence and/or mental illness was an issue. The artwork of serial killers such as Adolf Hitler, the psychiatrically institutionalized artist Martin Ramirez, and the Outsider artist Henry Darger are discussed as well.
Professor Junge also describes her own experience as an expert witness for the trial of serial killer Eric Leonard. Chapter 5 displays the author's mass murderer’s artwork with a brief description of each event. Chapter 6 depicts the mass murders that occurred in the United States, October 2017 through September 2018. Chapter 7 portrays a reaction to the Marjorie Stone Douglas school shooting and the essay evoked by this tragedy. Chapter 8 offers practical suggestions to help art therapists find assistance and support in a dangerous practice. Safety orientation in art therapy education programs and job orientation are provided. Chapter 9 discusses additional practical suggestions for art therapists with help and support in a dangerous practice and culture. The last chapter encompasses final comments including the danger and calling of art therapy. This unique book will be of special interest to mental health practitioners, art therapists, social workers, educational therapists, and consultants. Critique: A unique and seminal work, "An Art Therapist's View of Mass Murders, Violence, and Mental Illness" is a singular and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, college, and university library Contemporary Psychiatry, Criminology, and Art Therapy collections and supplemental studies lists. Micah Andrew / Midwest Book Review / August 2019 Table of Contents: Preface
1. Introduction
2. Laying the Cultural Context
3. What We Know Now About Mass Murders and Mental Illness
4. Art, Violence and Mental Illness
5. Author's Mass Murders Artwork
6. Some Mass Murders in the United States, October 2017–September 2018
7. Why Have We Forgotten that Children Suffer? A Reaction to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting
8. What Can the Art Therapist Do? Practical Suggestions for Clinicians to Find Help and Support in a Dangerous Practice and Culture I: The Safety Landscape in Mental Health
9. What Can the Art Therapist Do? Practical Suggestions for Clinicians to Find Help and Support in a Dangerous Practice and Culture II: Applications
10. Dangers and the Calling of Art Therapy
References
About the Author
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