The Secret World of Drawings: Healing Through Art

Studies in Jungian Psychology by Jungian Analysts #99

by Gregg M. Furth, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (Introduction)

1988, trade paperback edition, SIGO Press, Boston, MA. 152 pages. Large, readable type. Figures / drawings throughout. Outstanding reference / suggested reading section, annotated, extending to 16 pages. The author has spent years of his life working with emotionally disturbed and terminally ill children. His specialty is drawing interpretation. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross states, "Indispensable for analysts, psychologists, teachers, child counselors, clergy, nurses and physicians, as well as pediatricians."

Genres: Psychology, Art, Design

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1989

Reviews

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gold dust for coaches and therapists. Furth has a method of analysing drawings that is immensely powerful. I would suggest it should not be used by those who have not been through a therapeutic training (and for that matter, their own therapy). However, with the confidence of a sound training behind you this book does unlock and reveal much about childhood, that can be used with clients.

[Gis🌙🥀]

No le doy puntuación porque no soy psicòloga ni nada.
Pero como artista y que este libro lo hemos tratado en una asignatura de Arte terapia. Me parece increíble como la psique es capaz de decir cosas sin que seamos consciente, pero tampoco es algo que me sorprende ya que los artistas usamos el arte para afrontar aquello que nos perturba o amamos.

Lo que sí que es muy general el libro, es como la pincelada inicial y se nota que sabe muchísimo aunque ojalá algo más detallado 😔 pero como es imposible ya que cada símbolos y tal es según la persona y su contexto es entendible.

Tengo ganas de leer más sobre este tema

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to drawing interpretation based on a Jungian approach similar to Jung's dream analysis. It breaks drawing assessment down into various focal points and offers really valuable guidelines for the therapist/counselor/analyst such as always maintaining an open mind and being aware of the objective circumstances surrounding the creation of the drawing. The focal points and advice can be applied to other art mediums, although this book doesn't get into that. Several color examples are included with case studies. This book is pretty accessible to most readers with little lost in complex jargon (which is also a recommended therapeutic skill according to Furth).

I gave this book four stars only because it is so short and left me wanting more information on art analysis of which there just doesn't seem to be enough out here. As an introduction to get you started understanding the psychological aspect of drawings (or art in general) I highly recommend it. It's not going to give you all the answers, but it will put you off on a good start.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Furth provides good insight about making judgement on interpretation. A must for anyone who thinks they can just interpret what a person thinks by their artwork.

[Kerstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting insights

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just starting on this journey of uncovering the Jungian science and everything that has to do with it, this book was a great read to touch on the surface of this broad and expansive subject with the unconscious human mind.

As someone with no prior profound education/knowledge apart from reading a wikipedia page on Carl Jung, this book was easily digestible and well written to equip one with some familiar terms in Jungian Analysis.

Highly recommended to anyone who is interested in learning Jungian cues in visual language and a beginning step in learning how subtle visual shifts inform greater information within them.

[Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed his use of the concepts of "road signs" and "weather conditions" in describing how to utilize his suggested focal points in picture analysis. Focal points as springboards to get the individual's psyche to vocalize itself. And also his emphasis on following the client/patients level of understanding, not in resolving any lingering uncertainties of the examining party. A true non-linear approach.

"I believe the only generalization I can make in dealing with the language of drawings is that no generalization can be made"

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes this is a book of gold dust! I met and worked with Greg, he taught me so so much. If you are working with people this book is a very valuable took. I have used it most of my working life. In this book Greg stresses never assume and I can’t stress this more. I wonder who continues this approach today ? Still read it with wonder!!

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively thorough book exploring the reading of drawings.

[KMT · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone with certainly no expert background, I thought the book was clearly written and thought-provoking, even if I didn't agree with everything.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gregg M. Furth`s book is the most influentual one for me as a professional, both as a paediatric clinical psychologist with 10 year experience and play therapy trainee. Reading this book it become very obvious that the author has a great knowledge and understanding of art therapy and Jungian psychology, simbolism and mythology. Not only that author has a great knowledge and experience but also he has a great respect for individual differences among people and their drawings (and everything else what comes up during psychotherapy). Over and over again he is giving the advice or warning to readers not to simplify our analysis an approach to psychotherapy and to keep focus on our patient. Furth gives us a „road signs“ but most of all, he encourages us to explore the drawing with our patient. I would say that this book is a great introduction to understanding psychological aspects of children`s drawings and art therapy in general.