Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy: Toward an Understanding of Embodied Empathy 1st Edition

I loved the practical focus of the book which is quite educative for an Expressive Arts student, therapist, facilitator. However, it is absolutely not a handbook that aims to deliver some quick and “practical techniques or exercises”. The book holds profound philosophical and theoretical connotations from Western psychotherapy, holistic and Eastern philosophy, anthropology, arts, creativity and interdisciplinary education as introduced in the figure called “Roots and Connections in Expressive Arts Therapy”. Kossak himself clearly emphasizes that Expressive Arts is lot more than applied techniques and gives different definitions of expressive arts in the first chapter. There are many concepts covered in this book. My vocabulary to define my future expressive arts experiences definitely expanded and became more clear after I finished this book (embodiment, creative intelligence, communal bonding, kinaesthetic awareness, sensory integration, resonance, entrainment, purposeful misattunment, embodied intelligence, and more).The book offers different examples of the improvisational and expressive arts process from different settings such as psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and a college of music without losing the connection with the theory and philosophy that taps into the phenomena of empathic attunement. For those who want to have a clear understanding about the essential elements and conditions for improvisation, Chapter 3 will be a good resource.I found it especially useful to read Kossak’s facilitation of intermodal transfers as he makes references to Paolo J. Knill, starting from body awareness towards taking steps for “poiesis”.The book also covers the qualities that are necessary to practice Expressive Arts such as a therapist’s mindfully awareness, willingness to hold space and give space, ability to tolerate chaotic or unpredictable states, and making sense of personal imagery. It was meaningful to read them in a compact way.For me the book was especially useful because it is a book about "Expressive Arts Therapy” since therapy and counseling has been my main area of professional practice. The author references many psychotherapists and theorists (Willard Frick, John Dewey, T. Marie Von Franz, D. Winnicot, E. Dissanyake, J. Paiget, E. Erickson, C. Jung, Freud, Daniel Stern, Kohut, M. Whitehouse and many others).The most significant chapter for me was chapter 4 which is about rhythm and resonance that has implications from the field of neuroscience. Phenomena of entrainment, interpersonal attunement, mirror neuron systems, collective rhythm resonance, rhythmic rapture and rhythmic repair and their implications for life, relationships, expressive arts and healing was exciting and refreshing.Fulya Kurter Musnitsky, M.A., Psychotherapist, PsychodramatistPh.D. Candidate in Expressive Arts Therapy (European Graduate School)

Mitchell 's workshops are always amazing for me . The Book is so important to understand his theory . Thank you !!

“One needs to know Mitchell for three decades as an experienced practitioner, an accomplished musician and improviser who integrates all the arts with a sensitive diligence, to be thankful for this gift and appreciate his tremendous ability to focus on the principles of attunement in expressive arts. Each chapter is inspiring and thoughtful, bringing together the important theoretical underpinnings of expressive arts, with moving real life stories that enliven and inform the reader. As one of his mentors, I admire how much he was able to shape the concepts here for a far-reaching audience. Anyone interested in the field of expressive arts can widen his perspectives through this book and attune easily to it. Let's celebrate it as an innovative contribution of a musician working with all the arts.”Paolo Knill, Ph.D., Dr. h.c., is Provost of the European Graduate School, Professor Emeritus at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA., and author of Minstrels of Soul: Intermodal Expressive Therapy.“Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy is an inspiring book that brings to life the depth, wisdom, heart and soul of intermodal expressive arts therapy. Doctor Mitchell Kossak demonstrates through rich client examples across cultures—ranging from people with autism to higher functioning adults in graduate education—how mindfulness, presence, and the arts are integrated to carefully attune to others and bring about transformation. This important book palpably demonstrates that the expressive arts are much more than applied techniques. Instead, Doctor Kossak illustrates and transmits through his many examples and embodied writing style, the significance for therapists to ‘walk the talk’—demonstrating how the therapist’s mindful awareness, compassionate presence, attunement, practice, and improvisational artistic skillfulness in each moment are necessary to bring forth the most alive healing interaction to meet the needs of individuals, groups, and communities. A must read for anyone wanting to learn the true training in integrated expressive arts from a master musician, expressive arts therapist, body-oriented psychotherapist, and spiritual practitioner!”Laury Rappaport, Ph.D., MFT, REAT, ATR-BC, author of Mindfulness and the Arts Therapies: Theory and Practice.“Mitchell Kossak’s work in this book brings another voice to the choir of those seeking to understand and articulate the power, and dare I say magic, of what occurs in the contexts of creative arts therapy encounters. Drawing from the deep well of his experiences with music, drama, movement, visual arts and clinical work in psychiatric hospitals, group homes and other treatment settings, Kossak weaves an inspiring and intelligent description of the phenomena of therapeutic attunement. Each segment of the book is infused with the rich experiences of a skilled therapist, dedicated teacher, and practicing artist.”Bruce L. Moon, Ph.D., ATR-BC, HLM, Professor of Art Therapy, Mount Mary University, Author of many books including, Art and Soul: Reflections on an Artistic Psychology, and Introduction to Art Therapy: Faith in the Product.“Mitchell Kossak articulates a deep truth that often goes unacknowledged: it is the therapist’s self that is the instrument of the work. When the self is profoundly attuned to the body, heart, mind and soul an energetic resonance with the client is possible and information can flow from source of all wisdom that both therapist and client partake of. It is thrilling to read this gentle articulation of the most complex aspect of all creative work, attunement with the energetic sphere of existence. Mitchell displays the skill of an accomplished improviser honed in a lifetime of deep engagement with music, drama, movement and art and the soul of the mystic, developed through the disciplines of yoga, chi gung and meditation. How wonderful to have a book by one who walks the walk and so can speak simply and talk the talk so we all can learn.”Pat B. Allen, Ph.D., ATR, HLM author of Art is a Way of Knowing and Art is a Spiritual Path.“Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy by Doctor Kossak is a step-by-step guide into the integrative healing methods of the creative arts therapies using stories, research, and very practical exercises based on Doctor Kossak’s many years of experience. He brings us into the experience of the creative arts from the inside out. Like all good improvisational musicians he “gets inside the sound” and allows creativity to take over. Being “inside Doctor Kossak’s writing” is like being inside sound. He has a unique ability to express the complexities of imagination and creative intelligence in a way that empowers his readers to access their creative self for healing and expanded success.”Dr. John Beaulieu, N.D., Ph.D., Professor of Integrative Medicine CIIS University and author of Music and Sound in the Healing Arts and Human Tuning.

I find Mitchell Kossak's work to be right on target. As a writer and musician, I'm particularly drawn to the chapter on improvisation. It clearly explains the ways in which opening to the deepest inner energy, the "flow" of impulse and free experiment can yield dramatic results. This is true for me as an artist working alone, as well as with other people. Either way, it's essential to trust that the unrestrained interplay of the unconscious with the concrete aspects of the moment will point the way, will facilitate the emergence of authentic artistic expression. As Kossak also makes clear, this level of attunement is invaluable for the deep diving necessary to reach a true understanding of the inner self in therapy. Anyone interested in the arts, and in any mode of therapy, will find a lot of inspiration in this book.Tony PrianoWriter, video producer, musician, teacher, creative director

Mitchell Kossak’s work in this book brings another voice to the choir of those seeking to understand and articulate the power, and dare I say magic, of what occurs in the contexts of creative arts therapy encounters. Drawing from the deep well of his experiences with music, drama, movement, visual arts and clinical work in psychiatric hospitals, group homes and other treatment settings, Kossak weaves an inspiring and intelligent description of the phenomena of therapeutic attunement. Each segment of the book is infused with the rich experiences of a skilled therapist, dedicated teacher, and practicing artist.Bruce L. Moon, Ph.D., ATR-BC, HLMProfessor of Art Therapy \

One of my favourite expressive therapies texts I’ve ever read. So informative and thought provoking, highlited over half the book!!