On Art Therapy Barbie

Art therapy, like the creative process itself, is complex, multifaceted, not easy to define. It falls into an ambiguous gray area that both intrigues and unsettles folks. It is an integrative mental health profession weaving together Fine Arts training, developmental psychology, counseling techniques, and a therapeutic relationship to support individuals of all ages and backgrounds in dealing with mental illness, traumatic experiences, interpersonal conflict, daily stressors, medical diagnoses, addictive behaviors, life stage transitions, grief and loss, and so much more. 

Mattel just released a Barbie Art Therapy Playset available at Target, that includes a therapist and “patient” doll along with a cheerful childlike painting, mini art supplies, “mood stickers” and even a pet cat. The dolls are making waves in the art therapy community, with some clinicians celebrating the representation of our field as an opportunity to educate the public. They note the diverse careers Barbie dolls have featured since their inception in 1959, ranging from lawyers and astronauts to beekeepers and park rangers. Others, including several pioneers of the profession, are cringing at the lack of nuance and diversity in the scene portrayed since the public already oversimplifies and associates art therapy with finger painting with children. They feel this further devalues and commodifies the field, similar to so-called art therapy activity and coloring books dominating the online marketplace. The reactions and projections abound. 

Personally, I feel the tension too. I’m excited for a new platform to spread awareness about the field, but shy away from kooky cat lady/wacky art teacher stereotypes or contexts that fit us into a (literal) box. But perhaps this is part of the larger paradox of any attempt to represent the modern woman. The recent “Barbie” movie poignantly describes this impossible task of being a woman in today’s world: 

“We have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman but also always be looking out for other people. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that. And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know.” #arttherapy #barbie #feminism 

Post by Sharon Itkoff Nacache ATR-BC LCAT LPAT PMH-C

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