Ego functions in art therapy

This study explores the artwork of three patients diagnosed with schizophrenia to determine if Leopold Bellak's demarcation of twelve ego functions are manifested in art therapy products and processes. Patient drawing and sculpting manifestations are examined as well as patient behavior, thought processes and affect in order to determine ego functioning. The artwork was collected over the course of a single hospitalization and the associations, behavioral responses and affect were all recorded and integrated with the artwork. Psychoanalytic and ego psychology theories of ego functions and ego maturation are presented. Bellak's definitions of twelve ego Junctions are presented and compared to other theorists' views. Some treatment issues in art therapy's application of ego functioning include symbol formation, the therapeutic relationship, regressed affective states and the neutralization of primary process material. The major findings of this study were that levels ego functioning were suggested by art manifestations, associations to artwork, behavior in art processes and thought processes during the discussions of artwork. An ego based framework utilized in art therapy can emphasize strengths in the ego of a patient for treatment practices in clinical art therapy.