Press Reviews

• Therapy Today

  This is a delightful book, written with love, wisdom and enthusiasm. It would probably appeal most to women therapists who already work creatively with their clients but would also be of interest to mental health practitioners and to the many women who work with textiles as an occupation or hobby, who might like to learn more about its therapeutic possibilities.

• Peter Aitken, Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and Director of Research & Development, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, UK

  For a male psychiatrist Using Textile Handcrafts in Therapy with Women presents a unique cross-cultural journey into unfamiliar feminine territory, ably guided by Futterman Collier who weaves Jungian psychology, contemporary mental health practice and the media of textile arts in a style that is both entertaining and enlightening.

• Sheila Hicks, artist, and daughter Itaka Martignoni, gestalt-therapist

  The author has chosen the medium of fiber as a path to encourage her clients to discover and create meaning out of what often appears as senseless and traumatic. She encourages people, whether they are helping professionals or clients, to not hold themselves back through some expectation of having to be artistic but rather to explore and, through some of the guidelines she has developed over her numerous years of practice and careful observations, regain a liberating sense of self-esteem and integrity.

• Kathy Gotshall, Director of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy Program and Assistant Professor, Graduate Art Therapy, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Indiana

  In this book, Ann has woven her two natural callings as a psychologist and fiber artist. She has created the likings of a Brook's Bouquet where the weft yarn (psychology) is wrapped around by several warps (creative art making) to draw them together. The result is a weaving that is layered with textile art metaphors that inspire the reader to use the creative process for self-renewal. The golden thread that is interwoven throughout the book is the call to listen to your creative spirit and enjoy where the textile journey takes you.

• Anne Field, international teacher, weaver, spinner and writer, Christchurch, New Zealand

  By writing this book, Ann Futterman Collier has encouraged therapists to understand and use their skills to enrich women's lives, by expanding their horizons, and giving them tools to cope with their journey through life while exploring textile mediums. I heartily endorse this endeavor.