This film provides an unusual opportunity to watch two art therapy sessions with Dr. Betensky and her client, first as a young 10-year-old boy. This is followed by another session with the same youngster five years later, at age 15.
In both, Dr. Betensky demonstrates what she called the phenomenological approach to art therapy. She explains that it is generally characterized by three phases: Doing, Analyzing, and Sharing. This approach highlights a strong relationship with the art materials and the making of the art product, and focuses on the art product as an entity in and of itself.
“What Do You See?” is the question she asks Louis at both 10 and15.Directive and kind, Dr. Betensky encourages the boy to use observation, words, and thinking. She empowers him to make choices, to develop a narrative, and to envision and create a change.
A short discussion between Dr. Nucho and Dr. Betensky follows the recorded sessions, as well as final comments by art therapist Sondra Geller, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, LCPAT–who was first Dr. Betensky’s client, then her student, and eventually her colleague
