Reviewed by Alissa Deann for Readers' Favorite

An Exploration of Boundaries by Jacqueline Bachar is a detailed breakdown of the differences and connections between art therapy, art education, and psychotherapy. Bachar shares the histories tied to these fields with different theories and methods used by important figures in each of the areas. She believes everyone has a natural spark for creativity that fades with time and can be rediscovered through art. Bachar talks about how art therapy helps people to understand themselves better, sharing her own experience as an art therapist as she worked with different groups, like autistic children, adults with emotional problems, and women in workshops. The book clearly defines the role of an art therapist and shows how this role changes based on the setting, the people involved, and the therapist's ideas.

An Exploration of Boundaries made me realize that art is not just about making something beautiful; it is a way to build self-esteem and express our emotions. I was inspired by Bachar's passion for helping people tap into their "natural creative imagery"—it made me develop more interest in my own creativity. I loved how she combined her personal experiences of using art to understand herself with the educational aspects of art therapy—it gave the book a solid foundation and made it more relatable. Bachar's writing style is very detailed, with references to artists, theories, and concepts that make it easy to follow. As someone interested in personal growth, it's great to embrace a totally new approach to using art as a way to heal. I recommend An Exploration of Boundaries by Jacqueline Bachar to therapists, teachers, artists, and anyone who would love to learn more about art therapy and use it for personal growth.