Bush’s highly successful program in Miami-Dade County, began as a pilot program after she recognized the indicators of cognitive and emotional problems that were surfacing in the artwork of many students. It became a catalyst for forging a new frontier in schools, as there were no other art therapy programs that were being offered. Her tenacity and professionalism convinced the decision-makers that art therapy in school settings was a desirable intervention.

Bush emphasizes that every school in the USA has a population of children who can benefit from art therapy but that need is not being met. She goes on to explain that it will take art therapists to create a need for their services through education, marketing, and promotion.

School art therapists will have to:

• identify their role
• select appropriate functions
• plan programs of services for students, parents, teachers, and school administrators
• strengthen their professional development
• aggressively pursue action
• and continually evaluate their effectiveness in the educational environment

Commentary by Janet Bush, EdD, ATR-BC

This video was formerly included in the Expressive Media Arts Therapies Films Collection distributed by Expressive Media Inc.