Author(s)

Ziyi Zhu

School of Li Shutong Aesthetics and Art Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.

This paper explores the life and work of Edith Kramer, a foundational figure in the field of art therapy. It analyzes how her personal experiences, artistic practice, and knowledge of psychoanalysis shaped her unique “art as therapy” philosophy. The analysis emphasizes Kramer’s core contributions, including the concept of sublimation through artistic creation and the therapist’s role as the “third hand”, establishing her profound and enduring influence in the field.

Edith Kramer, Art Therapy, Art Education

Zhu, Z.Y. (2026) The Pioneer of Art Psychotherapy: A Multidimensional Exploration of Edith Kramer’s Influence. Psychology, 17, 1-16. doi: 10.4236/psych.2026.171001.