Books and Publications

Positive Art Therapy Theory and Practice: Integrating Positive Psychology and Art Therapy

Positive Art Therapy Theory and Practice: Integrating Positive Psychology and Art Therapy

Rebecca and Gioia are experts on Positive Art Therapy which combines Positive Psychology with the healing powers of the creative process.  

Their popular textbook Positive Art Therapy Theory and Practice illustrates the convergence of these two approaches to happiness and wellbeing.  The book skillfully balances an engaging conversational tone with a depth of historical and theoretical grounding.

Woven throughout are case studies and reflections on how therapists can apply this approach to their work and their lives. A comprehensive list of more than 80 positive art therapy directives, a robust glossary, and lists of strengths and values are also included.

Coloring Creates Wellbeing: The Desert Mandalas Coloring Book

10% of proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society

Coloring Creates Wellbeing: The Desert Mandalas Coloring Book

Showcasing the magical flora and fauna of the Arizona Sonoran desert to help you relax, reduce your stress, and get you into flow.  Includes an introduction on the benefits of coloring and suggestions for coloring.

$26 for 30 Unique Designs
Spiral Bound so pages lie flat
Larger 10 x 10 inch format  
Printed on heavier one-sided paper so no bleed through 

282 pages 19 Color Illustrations 80 of our favorite positive art therapy directives Hardcover, $155.00 Paperback, $39.95 Kindle $28.95

Publications

  • Chilton, G. & Wilkinson, R.A. (In Press, 2021).  Positive Art Therapy: Synergy of Positive Psychology and Art Therapy. In C. Aguerre & G. Chasseigne (Eds). Diversity and Topicality of Positive Psychology.  Paris, France: Complicity Editions. (Psychology and Everyday Life coll.).

    Scotti, V. & Chilton, G. (2018). Collage as Arts-Based Research. In P. Leavy (Ed.), Handbook of Arts-based Research. (pp. 355-376).  New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Chilton, G. & Wilkinson, R.A. (2016).  Positive Art Therapy. In J. Rubin (Ed.), Approaches to Art Therapy, Theory and Technique, 3rd Edition.  New York, NY: Psychology Press.

    Chilton, G. & Leavy, P. (2014).  Arts-Based Research Practice: Merging Social Research and the Creative Arts. In P. Leavy (Ed.), Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Methods (pp. 403-422).  New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Gerber, N., Templeton, E., Chilton, G., Cohen Liebman, Manders E., & Shim, M. (2013).  Art based research as a pedagogical approach studying intersubjectivity in the Creative Arts Therapies.  In S. McNiff, (Ed.), Art as Research: Opportunities & Challenges (pp. 39-48). University of Chicago Press: Intellects Books.

    Chilton, G. (2013). Artful appreciations: Gratitude journaling. PAGES: The Creative Guide for Art Journaling and Bookmaking, Vol. 3.

  • Chilton, G. Lynskey, K., Ohnstad, E. & Manders, E. (2020).  A case of El Duende: Art-based supervision in addiction treatment.  American Journal of Art Therapy, DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2020.1771138

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2020). How to teach about art therapy. The Noba Project Blog.  Published 11/11/2020. https://nobaproject.com/blog/2020-11-11-how-to-teach-about-art-therapy

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2018). What is art therapy and how does it help? Sober World (7)5 21, 30. vhttps://www.thesoberworld.com/2018/05/01/art-therapy-help/

    Chilton, G. & Wilkinson, R.A. (2016) Exploring strengths through masks: Art therapy from a positive psychology perspective. American Art Therapy Association Blog.  Available:  https://arttherapy.org/exploring-strengths-masks-art-therapy-positive-psychology-perspective/

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2016). Attending to the good.  How focusing on your blessings makes you happier and healthier.  Vibrant Life (July/August) 12-13.

    Chilton, G., Gerber, N., Bechtel, A., Councill, T., Dreyer, M., & Yingling, E. (2015). The art of positive emotions: Expressing positive emotions within the intersubjective art making process (L’art des émotions positives : exprimer des émotions positives à travers le processus artistique intersubjectif). Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal, 28(1-2), 12-25. Open access:http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08322473.2015.1100580

    Chilton, G., Gerber, N. & Scotti, V. (2015).   Towards an aesthetic intersubjective paradigm for arts-based research: An art therapy perspective. Special Edition of UNESCO Observatory refereed e-journal, Multidisciplinary Research in the Arts. Open access: http://www.unescomelb.org/volume-5-issue-11/2015/9/14/06-chilton-towards-an-aesthetic-intersubjective-paradigm-for-arts-based-research-an-arttherapy-perspective

    Chilton, G., Gerber, N., Councill, T., & Dreyer, M. (2015).  I followed the butterflies: Poetry of positive emotions in art therapy research. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 2(1), 1026019. doi:10.1080/23311983.2015.1026019  Open access:  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23311983.2015.1026019#

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2015). How to quit quitting: 6 ways to overcome resistance and stick with an exercise. Vibrant Life (September/October) 10-11.

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2015). What is your superpower? Identify your character strengths and put them into action.  Vibrant Life (March/April), 26-29.  https://www.vibrantlife.com/identify-your-character-strengths-and-put-them-into-action/

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2014). Mind over matter: How to use stress management to fight disease.  Vibrant Life (July/August), 24-27.

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2014). The art of health: How to use art therapy to manage your emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Vibrant Life (May/June), 26-29.

    Wilkinson, R.A. (2014). The bounce back plan: 10 steps to help you survive set-backs and letdowns.. Vibrant Life (March/April), 19-21.

    Chilton, G. & Scotti, V. (2014).   Snipping, gluing, and writing: An exploration of collage as arts-based research practice.  Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 31(4), 163-171. doi:10.1080/07421656.2015.963484

    Chilton, G. (2013).  Altered inquiry: Discovering arts-based research through an altered book.  International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 12, 457-477. Available via open access: http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/IJQM/article/view/17416/15713

    Chilton, G. (2013).  Art Therapy and flow: A review of the literature and applications. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 30(2), 64-70.  

    Manders, E., & Chilton, G. (2013). Translating the essence of dance: Rendering meaning in artistic inquiry of the creative arts therapies. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 14(16).  Open access: http://www.ijea.org/v14n16/

    Wilkinson, R.A. & Chilton, G. (2013). Positive art therapy: Linking positive psychology to art therapy theory, practice, and research. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 30(1), 4-11.

    Gerber, N., Templeton, E., Chilton, G., Cohen Liebman, Manders E., & Shim, M. (2013).  Art based research as a pedagogical approach studying intersubjectivity in the Creative Arts Therapies.  Journal of Applied Arts and Health, 3(1) 39-48.

    Schreibman, R. & Chilton, G. (2012).  Small waterfalls in art therapy supervision: A poetic appreciative inquiry [Special Issue: Art Therapy Education].  Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 29(4), 188-191.

    Chilton, G. & Wilkinson, R.A. (2009). Positive art therapy: Envisioning the intersection of art therapy and positive Psychology.  Australia and New Zealand Journal of Art Therapy, 4 (1) 27-35.

    Chilton, G., Gerity, L., LaVorgna-Smith, M., & MacMichael, H. (2009). An on-line art exchange group: 14 secrets for a happy artist’s life.  Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 26(2) 66-72.

    Chilton, G. (2007).  Altered books in art therapy with adolescents.  Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 24(2), 59-63.

    Wilkinson, R.A. (1994). The versatility of art therapy: From children in a psycho-educational facility to adults in a psychiatric hospital. Unpublished master’s thesis, George Washington University, Washington, DC.

    Wilkinson, R.A. (1993). Comparative research on the 1989 and 1994 Mari Card.  Unpublished research, George Washington University, Washington, DC.

  • Wilkinson, R.A. (2019). A review of “Art therapy for psychosis: Theory and practice”. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association (36),221-222

    Chilton, G. (2018) A review of “Arts-based and contemplative practices in research and teaching: Honoring Presence“,  Art Therapy, Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 35:4, 221-222, DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2018.1553892

    Chilton, G. (2014).  Arts Based Research [Review of the book, Arts Based Research by T. Barone & E. W. Eisner]. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 31(4), 192-193. doi:10.1080/07421656.2015.964054

  • 03/2022 “Rebecca Wilkinson Interviewed by Podcaster Robin Smith”
    The Robin Smith Show
    https:/The RobinSmithShow

    10/2021 “Art Therapy: Creating Lasting Change”Interview with Rebecca on Art Therapy
    Natural Awakenings Tucson
    https://www.naturaltucson.com/2021/09/30/370033/natural-awakenings-tucson-october-2021-issue

    10/2020 “Ground Zeroes”
    Panel with Max Frieder, Eric Murangwa, Zak Ibrahim, Sharon Mattson, Markus Fath, Alta Mauro, and Rebecca Wilkinson on overcoming difficulties.
    Portal 4 Dialogue
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B_avGbkpEI

    9/2020 “What Will You Remember When This Crisis is Over?”
    Panel with Daryl Davis, Ian Jamison, Arno Michaelis, and Rebecca Wilkinson on responses to the Pandemic
    Portal 4 Dialogue
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rV51RWNihw&t=10s

    12/2018 “The Gym”Interview with Rebecca
    The Depression Sessions with Laura Milkins
    https://thedepressionsession.com/2019/06/02/the-gym/

    9/2018 “Art Therapy & Mental Health: A Sit Down with Dr. Chilton”Interview with Gioia
    Sugar Magazine Self-Care Edition

    9/2016 “Unconventional Art and Therapy”
    Interview with Rebecca
    Sex, Money, Food Alexandra Harbushka: Real World Woman
    www.blogtalkradio.com/perfectworldnetwork/2012/03/01/the-zest-harmony-show

    1/2012 “Cultivating Positive Emotions”
    Interview with Rebecca
    Just BEE Seminars

    4/2011 “Positive Psychology and Art Therapy”
    Interview with Rebecca and Gioia
    Sittdown Radio Show with Dr. David Sitt

    6/2005 “Therapists Find Music and Art Truly Do Have Charms to Soothe and Heal”
    Featuring Rebecca
    East Valley Tribune (Arizona) 

    9/2004 “Art Therapy in Psychiatric Inpatient Settings”
    Interview with Rebecca
    Freedom of Art: Let Freedom Art Ring with Ericha Scott, Ph.D, REAT, ATR
    Access Tucson Television, Channel 72, Tucson, AZ

    10/1999 “Drawing Strength from Art: Young Cancer Patients Express Their Feelings through Pictures”
    Featuring Gioia
    The Washington Times

    11/1999 “Woman-to-Woman on Race and More: Dialogues Online”Featuring Gioia
    Digital City: Washington, DC

    3/1998 “Use Art As a Tool for Communication”
    Featuring Gioia
    The Washington Post, Washington, DC

    4/1996 “Art Therapy”
    Interview with Gioia
    The Sunday Papers WHFS Radio, Washington, DC

    8/1995 “The Gift of Creation”
    In “Positive Impact/Artists Who Care”
    Featuring Gioia
    The Washington Post, Washington, DC

Creative Wellbeing Workshops has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6566. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Creative Wellbeing Workshops is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.  Continuing education workshops will be clearly identified.