The following is my email to Dr. Dunn Snow, dated August 18, 2009:

Hi Dr. Duun-Snow,

My name is Elizabeth Beck. I’m an active member of the online art therapy community. I recently came across an article by Cathy Malchiodi on her Psychology Today Blog:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-healing-arts/200907/facebook-fan-page-your-private-practice

Although your name is never mentioned in her article, after doing an online search it’s clear to me that Cathy is referring to your fan page for Children’s Corner: Art Therapy for Children. I write a blog myself, which can be found at http://www.lizbeck.net

I was wondering if you have a response to the article and comments made on both Cathy and my blog? I think many art therapists would benefit from clarifying your methodology in assessing the ethics of posting videos on your fan page. This truly is a new frontier and your guidance is most appreciated.

Also, I’m giving a workshop at the AATA conference in November on the topics of blogging and podcasting. Would I be able to use your response for teaching purposes in my workshop? With your permission I would also like to post your response on my blog as well.

Thank you for your consideration,
Elizabeth Beck

Dr. Dunn Snow did respond to my email, but has not given a “yes” or “no” response as to whether I can post her comments. This is only a summary of her response, rather than a direct quote:

I was hoping for a more in depth response to all of our questions, comments and thoughts. I also hope that our reactions were taken to heart by Dr. Dunn Snow. I haven’t checked her fan page in a while, but I would expect that some changes would be made, for example putting a disclaimer regarding informed consent along with the videos.

I was taken aback when I read about the art therapist who posted artwork and video footage of a client’s session (a minor) on their fan page.

My initial reaction to reading Cathy’s article is; yes, posting unedited 1:1 artx sessions of a minor, with consent, is pushing the ethics of our profession out of my comfort zone. After doing a search in facebook to find the fan page (not hard to do if you’re willing to invest a little time), this feeling was only highlighted. Admittedly I only watched the first 2 videos, but each time I heard the therapist ask the child to “look at the camera” I felt the session’s integrity was compromised. That being said, I’m also happy this happened and that Cathy wrote about it so that a dialogue can be opened within the (art) therapy community.

I have been very cautious about protecting the rights of the clients I work with, especially when it comes to this blog. I do write tidbits regarding artx directives I’ve implemented successfully, but I have never once included the artwork of the clients on this blog despite the fact that many have consented to allow their artwork to be published through any media source (i.e., film, print, computer image). The reason I have not included their artwork, which would no doubt add to the comprehension of the directive written about in the post, is that I just plain don’t feel comfortable with it. However, I intend to write either a journal article or present at a future AATA conference featuring those same directives and art pieces. Why am I comfortable accepting the consent of the clients I work with for print or lecture publishing but not for electronic publishing?

Perhaps it has something to do with accessibility. Anyone can google a facebook fan page or some key words and be directed towards, for example my blog and the potential artx images discussed above. Not everyone, however, would take the time to become an AATA member and gain access to its journal, go to a University library searching for an article or attend a conference. I’m operating under the assumption that the people who are taking interest in the artwork and directives are art therapists or other help professionals who are seeking training in art therapy, not just the random person stringing several words together in their search bar.

Another thought: Judith Rubin has made some fabulous videos that include children creating artwork during art therapy sessions. If her video were aired on PBS (maybe it already has?) or if it were posted on her web page for all to access, would I feel an ethical violation took place? Certainly not. Then why am I so uncomfortable with videos and artwork being posted on facebook fan pages?

With her permission here is Galia’s email, along with portions of my response.

Hello Liz,

I am a Sociology student in Mexico City and I am extremely interested in art therapy because I am planning to open a community center for kids who live in extreme poverty here in Mexico, this center will be focused on art and we want to integrate art therapy as a very important part of the program. I have been investigating about art therapy in Mexico and it is not very popular, so I saw your interview on You Tube at the AATA and I was wondering if you know any art therapists in Mexico City that I could contact and that could lead me to knowing how to apply art therapy with kids.

Thank you for your attention,

Greetings,

Galia Cozzi Berrondo

galiacozzi@hotmail.com

galia@index34.com

Hi Galia,

What a wonderful project! Unfortunately I dont personally know of any Art Therapists in Mexico City. However, I did a quick google search on “art therapy mexico” and got this website. Unfortunately I don’t speak Spanish, so I’m not sure if its relevant.

http://www.terapia-de-arte.com/

There are also Loyola Marymount University has summer learning/exchange programs in Mexico…you may be able to find some students or professors to consult during the summer months.

http://cfa.lmu.edu/programs/mft/mexico.htm

Maybe you could contact AATA (the American Art Therapy Association) and see if you could post a “free consultant wanted in Mexico City” in their Jobs sections of the website?

I would suggest that you pick up books by Judith Rubin, who is one of the most respected art therapists working with children out there. Cathy Malchiodi also has some good books. However, I would like to caution that reading a book or two does not substitute for the expertise of someone who has studied art therapy extensively.

Thanks for writing and good luck!
- Liz

The Art Therapy Alliance is an online professional group about art therapy on LinkedIn, and a great way to become involved in the online art therapy community. There is a message board for posting discussions, and Gretchen Miller, MA ATR-BC, creator of this group, also puts out a quarterly news letter. The news letter includes a list of other art therapy online groups, upcoming events and workshops, art projects made by group members, member news and more.