Book Review: Sheridan Linnell (2010) 'Rethinking Research and Professional Practices in Terms of Relationality, Subjectivity and Power: Art Psychotherapy & Narrative Therapy: An Account of Practitioner Research'

Abstract

I can (truly) say that this book opens up new and exciting territory for art therapy, an invisible wall has at last been dismantled. It is a very brave book as well as a very scholarly book. Linnell introduces poststructuralist ideas, primarily from Foucault, Derrida and Butler, examines similarities and differences between two therapeutic practices, art therapy and narrative therapy with their convergent theoretical underpinnings, and in expressive detail, poetically explores her clinical practice in relation to the ideas. Top of the agenda are relations of power in a postcolonial context, in gender and race and between therapist and client.