Utilisation Du Conte Russe Dans Une Consultation D'Art-ThéRapie Avec Des Immigrants Russophones

Abstract

The author begins with a description of the various functions of a tale relative to individual, inter-subjective and socio-cultural aspects of the patient's life. Then she elaborates on the Russian tale, its prevailing thematic, and a few of its elements. The second part of the article is an analysis of an Art Therapy session with Russian family Z that recently immigrated to Quebec. The intent of the art therapist is to demonstrate how graphical and verbal compositions of a tale from the clients culture can act as a catalyst in the therapeutic process. During the session, the art therapist proposes the use of Winnicott's squiggle technique, that led the family to elaborate on a story that uses many elements of two traditional Russian tales. In addition to reinforcing the cultural identity of these immigrants, the story allows each member of the family to elaborate on his or her role in the family, and to bring interpersonal conflicts in the family to surface.