Imagining Animals: Art, Psychotherapy and Primitive States of Mind

Caroline Case

Jul 2025 · Taylor & Francis

Ebook

256

Pages

Eligible

Ratings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More

About this ebook

This classic edition of Imagining Animals explores how the making of animal images in art therapy and child psychotherapy can act as a powerful catalyst for children who may be struggling with communication. Readers will benefit from learning about the different ways that animal symbolism can support autistic children and children navigating trauma, abuse and depression in engaging with the therapeutic process.

This essential book explores two contrasting primitive states of mind throughout: the investing of the world around us with life through animism and participation mystique, and the lifeless world in the states of mind encountered in children who are hard to reach. Featuring a new introduction by the author, subjects covered in subsequent chapters include, but are not limited to:

Animal/human relationships
Animal symbolism
Animals on stage in therapy and anthropomorphic animal objects
Three-dimensional clay-work
The location of the self in animals

Imagining Animals offers a unique insight into the role and representation of animal imagery in art therapy and child psychotherapy. This is an essential read for all arts and play therapists working with children as well as adult psychotherapists interested in the use of imagery.

About the author

Caroline Case worked with children and families in the statutory services and in private practice for 48 years. She has published widely on her therapeutic work as an art therapist and child and adolescent psychotherapist.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets

Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.

Laptops and computers

You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.

eReaders and other devices

To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.

Report illegal content