Materials & Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real AT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Materials & Techniques flashcards as text
When working with clients who have experienced trauma, which art material is generally contraindicated due to its potential to trigger physiological overwhelm?
Answer: Large volumes of unstructured wet media like finger paint
Unstructured wet media with no clear boundaries can feel overwhelming and dysregulating for trauma survivors who need containment and predictability.
The therapeutic property of clay that involves kneading, pounding, or squeezing to release tension is referred to as:
Answer: The kinesthetic-tactile release function
Clay's kinesthetic-tactile properties allow physical release of tension and emotion through direct body engagement with the material.
A client with obsessive-compulsive tendencies spends the entire session measuring and re-measuring paper before making any marks. The art therapist's best intervention is to:
Answer: Gently note the pattern and invite reflection on what feels manageable to start
Gently reflecting the observed behavior invites insight without power struggle, maintaining the therapeutic alliance while exploring the client's anxiety.
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'media continuum' in art therapy?
Answer: A spectrum from fluid/unstructured to resistive/structured media matched to client needs
The media continuum (Lusebrink) ranges from fluid materials like watercolor to resistive materials like wood, guiding therapist selection based on client emotional regulation needs.
Encaustic painting, which involves melted beeswax mixed with pigment, raises which primary safety concern in an art therapy setting?
Answer: Burns from hot equipment and fire hazard from heated wax
Encaustic requires heating wax to high temperatures, posing significant burn and fire risks that must be carefully managed in a clinical setting.
For a client with fine motor difficulties resulting from a stroke, which painting tool adaptation is most appropriate?
Answer: Attach foam tubing or built-up grips to brush handles
Built-up grips on brush handles are a standard occupational adaptation that allows clients with limited grip strength to maintain autonomy in mark-making.
In Expressive Arts Therapy, 'intermodal transfer' refers to:
Answer: Transitioning a theme or experience from one art form to another (e.g., image to movement to music)
Intermodal transfer deepens processing by exploring the same experience through multiple artistic modalities, each revealing different aspects.