Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy involving the encouragement of free self-expression through painting, drawing, or modeling (Malchiodi, 1998). Art Therapy is also used as a means to diagnosis emotional or psychological problems in individuals. Even though Art Therapy is not typically practiced in schools, the techniques and strategies are sometimes present in advanced art classes. This study will take a practical look at how students use various forms of self expression through the creation of art. Specifically, the study will examine the art portfolios of students (n=10) from an advanced high school art class, who desire to have a concentration in Art in college. The art portfolios under review will include art samples (which may include photography, paintings, graphite drawing) and student narratives about the samples.
