Abstract

Part one of this paper is a literature review and analysis of the principle of repetition in healing. This includes an overview of archaic healing practices including the cosmogonic myth, healing practices in some indigenous cultures, as well as an analysis of some healing techniques used in psychology. The literature shows that there is a history of healing practices from archaic beginnings to present day psychology that is based on the principle of repetition. Various theoretical perspectives are part of the discussion. Part one concludes that the process of art therapy as well as the structure of the art therapy session are based on the principle of repetition. The art therapy session is compared to the cosmogonic myth as a healing device. The three main components of the art therapy session were analyzed, the art, the narrative and the transference. It concludes that each of these components are based on the principle of repetition. Part two of this research is an illustration of some of the concepts of part one using a case study. It explores the art and narrative of the case as concrete examples of the principles developed. More specifically the principle of repetition, using the Navaho ceremony as a theoretical model, was concretized through discussion supported by examples of imagery and narrative.