Judith Rubin's therapeutic approach is best described as which?

• A. Psychoanalytic art therapy
• B. Humanistic art therapy
• C. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• D. Narrative therapy

Answer: (A)

Judith Rubin’s art therapy sits squarely in the psychodynamic realm, using art as a window into the unconscious. The artwork is treated as a projective, symbolic expression of inner conflicts, defenses, and early experiences. In Rubin’s approach, the client creates and then discusses the art, while the therapist interprets imagery, form, color, and process to illuminate underlying thoughts and relational patterns. Transference and the therapeutic relationship are integral, with interpretations aimed at revealing covert meanings and fostering insight, integration, and change. This focus on unconscious processes and symbolic meaning distinguishes it from humanistic (growth-oriented, nondirective), cognitive-behavioral (thought/behavior change through structured techniques), and narrative (re-authoring stories) approaches.