Prof. Dr. rer. medic Harald Gruber
Head of the Master’s Degree Program in Art Therapy, Director of the Institute for Art Therapy, Professorship in Art Therapy / Research
Department of Creative Therapies and Therapy Sciences; Research Institute for Creative Arts Therapies / RIArT – Research Institute for Creative Arts Therapies
Phone: (0 22 22) 93 21 1801
Office hours: During the lecture period: Wed 10:00-11:00. Outside the lecture period: by appointment
Biography
Studies
Diploma in Art Therapy and Art Education (UAS), Ottersberg, 1989
Further Training
Coaching and Consulting, 2019
Professional Experience
LVA Clinic Birkenbuck / Clinic for Addiction Disorders, until 1993
Clinic for Tumor Biology at the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, until 2008
Doctorate
Dr. rer. medic. University of Witten/Herdecke under Prof. Dr. D. Aldridge, 2004
Acting Chair
Special Needs Art Education / Art Therapy, University of Cologne, summer semester 2007
Research Professorship in Art Therapy
Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences, since winter semester 2007
Dean
of the Department of Creative Therapies and Therapy Sciences at Alanus University 2007-2022
Co-Director
Research Institute for Creative Arts Therapies RIArT, 2015
Memberships
DFKGT: German Society for Art, Design and Therapy, since 2000
DKPM: German College of Psychosomatic Medicine, since 2007
WKFT: Scientific Professional Society for Creative Arts Therapies, since 2017
Appointments
Deputy Chair, Scientific Professional Society for Creative Arts Therapies WFKT, 2017
Head of the Working Group for Creative Arts Therapies: S3 Guideline Psycho-Oncological Diagnostics, Counseling and Therapy 2012/2020
Institutional representative: European Consortium for Arts Therapies Education ECARTE, 2016
Standing Commission of Academic Art Therapy Degree Programs SKAKS, 2011
DFKGT appointment as expert for the German Pension Insurance in the revision of the KTL codes, 2006
Expert for the breast cancer guideline for Creative Arts Therapies at the German Pension Insurance DRV Berlin, 2006
DFKGT appointment for the S3 Guideline Depression, 2006
Research focuses and interests
My research focuses on art therapy in oncology and palliative medicine. Currently, I am involved in a research project with Bonn University Hospital investigating the extent to which women with breast cancer benefit from an art therapy program during acute treatment, both in person and online. Another focus is on questions concerning the specific mechanisms of action of the creative arts therapies, for example emotion regulation through art, as well as fundamental questions about art and health.
Publications
Publications 2018- 2024
Weis, J; Mehnert-Theuerkauf, A; Bruns, G; Maatouk, I; Jentschke, E; Riedner, C; Kreikenbohm, T; Rothe-Kirchberger, I; Wickert, M; Zimmermann, T; Gruber, H; Koch, S; Hertrampf, R; Härtl, K. (2024). The update of the S3 Guideline on Psycho-Oncological Diagnostics, Counseling and Treatment of Adult Cancer Patients: Evidence for Psycho-Oncological Interventions. Verhaltenstherapie & Verhaltensmedizin 45:92-108
Röseberg, F; Gruber, H; Kern, M; Radbruch, L. (2024). Art therapy students in inpatient and outpatient palliative care – an institutional cooperation. Zeitschrift für Palliativmedizin 2024; 25(05): 23 – 23. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1788397
Masuch, J., Antwerpen, L., Brons, S., Gruber, H., Hamberger, C., Seifert, K., … Singler, K. (2024). Development of a Curriculum of Basic Competences for Art Therapy With Older People. Art Therapy, 1–10. doi: 10.1080/07421656.2023.2298033
Oepen, R., & Gruber, H. (2023). Art-based interventions and art therapy to promote health of migrant populations – a systematic literature review of current research. Arts & Health, 16(3), 266–284. doi: 10.1080/17533015.2023.2252003
Gruber, H, Hertrampf, R., & Koch, S. C. (2023). Art therapy, music therapy, and dance therapy in psycho-oncology. Psychotherapie im Dialog 24, 64-68.
Gruber, H., Koch, S. C., & Tüpker, R. (2022). Creative arts therapies in rehabilitation. In Meyer, Bengel, Wirtz (Eds.), Lehrbuch Rehabilitationswissenschaften (pp. 584-592). Bern: Hogrefe.
Oepen, R., & Gruber, H. (2022). The arts and creative arts therapies research in the field of health promotion for migrant populations – a narrative synthesis. Arts and Health.
Gruber, H. (2021). Through art – “… miraculously finding my words again …” Spiritual Care, 10(3), 246–248
Gruber, H., Bonin v. D., & Heckel, V. (2021). Creative arts therapies in integrative oncology. In Matthes et al. (Eds), Integrative Onkologie. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.
Oepen, R., & Gruber, H. (2021). Single-case studies in health promotion and prevention. In M. Niederberger & E. Finne (Eds.), Forschungsmethoden in der Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention (pp. 481-506). Berlin: Springer
Oepen, R. & Gruber, H. (2020). More health and well-being through positive emotions – an art therapy intervention concept to support stressed teachers. GMS Journal of Arts Therapies, 2, Doc03. doi: 10.3205/jat000007
Gruber, H., Schmid, G., Sinapius, P., & Tüpker, R.: (2020). Participant observation in art and therapy. Wissenschaftliche Grundlagen der Kunsttherapie. Band 8 HPB, Hamburg, Potsdam, Berlin
Weis, J., & Gruber, H. (2020). Creative arts therapies. In J. Bengel, & O. Mittag (Eds.), Psychologie in der medizinischen Rehabilitation. Ein Lehr- und Praxishandbuch. (pp. 161-170; 2. Edition). Springer, Berlin.
Gruber, H. (2019). Art Therapy in Oncology and Palliative Care –
Overview of Empirical Results and a Case Vignette. Rehabilitation Sciences: Nursing, Physiotherapy, Ergotherapy. S. 5-16 ISSN 2029-3194 / eISSN 2538-8673.
Lange, G., Leonhart, R., Gruber, H., & Koch, S. C. (2018). The Effect of Active Creation on Psychological Health: A Feasibility Study on (Therapeutic) Mechanisms. Behavioral Sciences, 8(2), 25; doi: 10.3390/bs8020025.
Gruber, H., & Oepen, R. (2018). Emotion regulation strategies and effects in art-making: A narrative synthesis. The Arts in Psychotherapy 59, 65-74.
Gruber, H. (2018). Art Therapy in Oncology and Palliative Care – Overview of Empirical Results and a Case Vignette. Reabilitacijos mokslai: Slauga, Kineziterapija, Ergoterapija, 2(19), 5-11.
Kortum, R., Wohler, D., & Gruber, H. (2018). Time and the Experience of Time in the Creative Arts Therapies. EB Verlag, Berlin.
Martin, L., Oepen, R., Bauer, K., Nottensteiner, A., Mergheim, K., Gruber, H., & Koch, S. C. (2018). Creative Arts Interventions for Stress Management and Prevention—A Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, 8, 28; doi:10.3390/bs8020028.
Kortum, R, Koch, S. C., Radbruch L., & Gruber, H. (2018). Art therapy in palliative care. A narrative review. Part II: State of practice and experience. Zeitschrift für Komplementärmedizin (zkm)1, 42–50.
First author
Gruber,H.; Schmid, G.; Sinapius, P.; Tüpker, R.: (2020) Participant observation in art and therapy. Wissenschaftliche Grundlagen der Kunsttherapie. Band 8 HPB, Hamburg, Potsdam, Berlin
Gruber, H. (2018) Art Therapy in Oncology and Palliative Care – Overview of Empirical Results and a Case Vignette Reabilitacijos mokslai: Slauga, Kineziterapija, Ergoterapija 2 (19), 5-11.
Gruber, H./Oepen, R. (2018): Emotion regulation strategies and effects in art-making: A narrative synthesis. The Arts in Psychotherapy (59), 65-74.
Gruber, H.: (2017): Art – from perception to experience in the therapeutic space. In: Tüpker, R. Gruber, H.: (Hrsg.): Spezifisches und Unspezifisches in den Künstlerischen Therapien. HPB University Press.
Gruber, H. (2016): “Finding My Words Again” – Art therapy in oncology and palliative medicine. In: Gruber, H./Reichelt, S. (Hrsg.): Kunsttherapie in der Palliativmedizin. Berlin: EB-Verlag, 141-160.
Gruber, H./Elbing, U./Schulze, C. (2015) Special issue: Research in art therapy II. Musik-, Kunst- Tanztherapie. 26 (1).
Gruber, H./Elbing, U./Schulze, C. (2014) Special issue: Research in art therapy I. Musik-, Kunst- Tanztherapie. 25 (4).
Gruber, H; Mannheim, M./Rose, J.-P. (2013): Review: S3 Guideline Psycho-Oncology. 34th DFKGT members’ newsletter.
Gruber, H./Weis, J. (2012): Creative arts therapies in oncology. In: Weis, J./Brähler, E. (Hrsg.): Psychoonkologie in Forschung und Praxis. Stuttgart: Schattauer.
Gruber, H. (2011): Art therapy research between clinical evidence and academic requirements. In: Gruber, H. / Wichelhaus, B. (Hrsg.): Kunsttherapie mit Kindern und Jugendlichen. Aktuelle Bezüge aus klinischen und sozialen Anwendungsfeldern. Berlin: EB-Verlag, 93-106.
Gruber, H./Rose, J.-P./Mannheim, E./Weis, J. (2011): Creative arts therapies in oncology – current scientific knowledge and results of a study. Musiktherapeutische Umschau 32(3), 206-217.
Gruber, H./Weis, J. (2010): Therapeutic action in art therapy: Results of an empirical study. European Journal of integrative medicine 2 (4), 179.
Gruber, H. (2010): Creative arts therapy methods in healthcare – scientific questions and challenges. In: Gruber, H. (Hg.): Kunsttherapie bei dementiell erkrankten Menschen. Dimensionen des Vergessens und Erinnerns. Berlin: EB-Verlag, 115-127.
Gruber, H./Weis, J. (2009): Creative arts therapies in oncology. Concepts and current scientific knowledge. Focus Onkologie (12), 7777-7780.
Gruber, H. (2009) Results of a study on the specific mechanisms of action in the creative arts therapies. PPMP 59: 94.
Gruber, H. (2008): Creative arts therapies and research – Is there anything we are not allowed to do? In: de Smit, P. (Hg.): Seitenweise, 40 Jahre FH Ottersberg. FH Ottersberg. [Anniversary publication]
Gruber, H./Kunzmann, B. (2008): Creative arts therapies in today’s medical system – Is this still comprehensible? In: Konvergenzen Divergenzen Transformationen. Das Merken und Wirken im kunsttherapeutischen = gestaltungstherapeutischen Prozess. Institut für Weiterbildung im Arbeitskreis Gestaltungstherapie / Klinische Kunsttherapie und kath. Fachhochschule für Sozialwesen Berlin, 433-439.
Gruber, H. (2008): Mechanisms of action in the creative arts therapies. What do we know and how can this be studied? Psychologische Medizin. Sondernummer (19), 33.
Gruber, H. (2006): Art therapy in oncology – in the context of economic and scientific challenges. In: Matthiessen, P./Wohler, D. (Hrsg.): Die schöpferische Dimension der Kunst in der Therapie. Ein Interdisziplinäres Symposium. Frankfurt am Main: VAS, 118-129.
Gruber, H. (2006): Creative arts therapies in oncology. In: Kamlah, H. (Hg.): Bettinas Weg. Pabst Publishers. Submitted for publication.
Gruber, H./Rose, J.-P. (2006): Creative arts therapies in the field of tension of complex scientific challenges. In: Sinapius, P./Ganß, M. (Hrsg.): Grundlagen, Modelle und Beispiele kunsttherapeutischer Dokumentation. Frankfurt am Main: Lang, 147-160.
Gruber, H. (2004): “I see something you don’t see…” – Philosophy-of-science implications of image analysis of patients’ pictures. In: Henn, W./Gruber, H. (Hrsg.): Kunsttherapie in der Onkologie. Grundlagen, Forschungsprojekte, Praxisberichte. Köln: Richter, 33-45.
Gruber, H. (2002): Selected results from the art therapy study: Systematic analysis of spontaneous pictures by people with cancer. In: Hampe, R./Martius, P./Ritschl, D./Spreti v. F. (Hrsg.): Generationenwechsel. Aspekte der Wandlung und Innovation in den kreativen Therapien. Bremen: Univ. 167-176.
Gruber, H. (2002): Central principles of qualitative social research. Documentation Internal Research Symposium: Art Therapy in Oncology, 44-49. [Printed manuscript: FH Ottersberg]
Gruber, H./Frieling, E./Weis, J. (2002): Art therapy: Development and evaluation of an observation instrument for the systematic analysis of patient pictures in oncology and rheumatology. Forschende Komplementärmedizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde, 9 (3), 138-146.
Gruber, H. (2002): Selected aspects of research approaches in art therapy with special consideration of systematic image analysis. In: Petersen, P. (Hg.): Forschungsmethoden künstlerischer Therapien. Grundlagen – Projekte – Vorschläge. Stuttgart/Berlin: Mayer, 271-285.
Gruber, H./Weis, J. (2001): Systematic analysis of spontaneous paintings by cancer patients in art therapy. Psycho-Oncology 10, 1-90 u. 48.
Gruber, H.: Results of the study (2000): Systematic analysis of spontaneous pictures by people with cancer. Documentation Internal Research Symposium: Art Therapy in Oncology, 21-32. [Printed manuscript: FH Ottersberg]
Gruber, H.: Results of the study (2000): Systematic analysis of spontaneous pictures by people with cancer. International conference of the IGKGT in Ascona / Monte Verita (Switzerland).
Gruber, H./Frieling, E./Weis, J. (2000): Art therapy study: Expert discourse on the differentiated description of pictures by people with cancer. A qualitative research approach. Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie 11(4), 187-199.
Gruber, H.: Initial results from the study (1999). Systematic analysis of spontaneous pictures by people with cancer. Documentation Internal Research Symposium: Art Therapy in Oncology, 5-17. [Printed manuscript: FH Ottersberg]
Gruber, H. (1998): Art therapy in oncology. Systematic analysis of spontaneous pictures by people with cancer. Documentation Internal Research Symposium: Art Therapy in Oncology, 3-8. [Printed manuscript: FH Ottersberg]
Gruber, H./Falkenhagen, H./Weis, J. (1998): Art therapy approaches with special consideration of oncology and systematic image analysis. Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie, 9(3), 115-123.
Co-author
Oepen, R.; Gruber, H. (2020) More health and well-being through positive emotions – an art therapy intervention concept to support stressed teachers. GMS J Art Ther 2020;2:Doc03. doi: 10.3205/jat000007
Gruber, H./Kortum, R. (2017): Art therapy in oncology/palliative medicine – overview of the study situation and a case example. In: Völker, S./Gruber, H. (Hrsg.): Mensch und Bild. Kunsttherapie und Existenzerfahrung. Berlin: EB-Verlag, 331-356.
Tüpker, R. Gruber, H. (2017): Specific and non-specific aspects in the creative arts therapies. HPB University Press.
Kortum, R./ Koch, S./Gruber, H. (eingereicht): Art therapy in palliative care. A narrative review. Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie (PPMP).
Abbing, A./Ponstein, A./Kienle, G./Gruber, H./Baars, E. (2016). The CARE-AAT Guideline: Development and testing of a consensus based guideline for case reports in anthroposophic art therapy. International journal of Art Therapy, 1-10.
Weis, J./Gruber, H. (2016): Creative arts therapies. In: Bengel, J./Mittag, O. (Hrsg.): Psychologie in der medizinischen Rehabilitation. Ein Lehr- und Praxishandbuch. Berlin: Springer, 135-145.
Koch, S./Gruber, H./Kortum, R./Reichelt, S./Martin, L./Warth, M./Radbruch, L. (2016): Creative arts therapies in palliative care – a review. Die Hospizzeitschrift 68 (1), 20-25.
Reese, C./Mittag, O./Bartsch. H./Bengel, J./Birmele, H./Böckmann, J./Böhme, C./Faller, H./Gruber, H./Herschbach, P./Kröger, O./Meißler, K./Paradies, K./Schmucker, D./Teichmann, J./Weis, J./Worringer, U. (2016): Practice recommendations for psychological interventions in rehabilitation: (breast, prostate, or colon carcinoma). Available at: www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/aqms/praxisempfehlungen.html
Oepen, R./Gruber, H./Heusser, P. (2015): An art therapy project day to enhance well-being among Waldorf teachers. An exploratory study. Kunst- Tanztherapie, 26 (1), 13-16.
Schulze C./Elbing, U./Gruber, H. (2014): Art Therapy Research Network. Work program and initial results. Special issue: Research in art therapy I. Musik-, Kunst- Tanztherapie. 25 (4), 186-190.
Oepen, R. / Gruber, H. (2014). An art therapy project day for health promotion among clients from burnout self-help groups – an exploratory study. Psychotherapie – Psychosomatik – Medizinische Psychologie PPmP. 64, 268-274.
Oepen, R./Gruber, H. (2012). Art therapy interventions for burnout in prevention and health promotion: A single-case study. Zeitschrift Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie 23 (3), 117-133.
Hornstein, v. W./Gruber, H. (2006): Art Therapy and Symptom Control: a team approach. In: European Journal of Palliative Care, 13(3), 124-126.
Kunzmann, B./Aldridge, D./Gruber, H./Hamberger, C./ Wichelhaus, B. (2005): Legal framework of the Diagnosis-Related Groups Act – quality assurance and recording of psychosocial services – initiatives and developments for the creative arts therapies. In: Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie, 16(2), 87-94.
Kunzmann, B./Aldridge, D./Gruber, H./Wichelhaus, B. (2005): Creative arts therapies: Compilation of studies on creative arts therapies in oncology and geriatrics. Background – implementation – perspectives – call to action. Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie, 16(2), 77-86.
Kunzmann, B./Gruber, H./Weis, J./Aldridge, D. (2003): A compilation of studies/publications on creative arts therapies in acute medicine and oncology (Poster 97). In: Koch, U./Pawils-Lecher, S. (Hrsg.): Psychosoziale Versorgung in der Medizin: zugleich 2. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung (28.-30.09.2003 in Hamburg). Lengerich: Pabst Science Publishers, 244.
Kunzmann, B./Gruber, H./Weis, J./Aldridge, D. (2003): A Survey of Studies/Publications on Arts Therapies in Acute Medical Care and Oncology (poster). In: Kossolapow, L./Scoble, S. (eds.): Arts Therapy: Recognized Discipline or Soul-Graffiti? Approaches, Applications, Evaluations. Abstract Book of the 7th bi-annual European Arts Therapies Conference (18.-21.09.2003 in Madrid). Münster: Lit-Verlag, 109.
Hornstein, v. W./Becker, G./Gruber, H. (2002): Successful palliative treatment of a patient with unbearable pain requires interdisciplinary cooperation: An example of the significance and importance of art therapy. Onkologie, 25(Suppl. 4), 241.
Becker, G./Gruber, H. (2002): Art therapy in oncology. Onkologie, 25(Suppl. 1), U3. Salewski, U./Gruber, H./Weis, J.; (1999): On the role of color in art therapy – cultural-historical backgrounds, art therapy perspectives, and current research approaches. Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie, 10(4), 211-224.
Hornstein, W. v./Weis, J./Kim, D./Bitto, M./Gruber, H. (1998): The interdisciplinary pain conference – forum and diagnostics. In: Bartsch, H. H./Hornstein, W. v. (Hrsg.): Interdisziplinäre Schmerztherapie bei Tumorpatienten: Strategien der Akut- und Langzeitbehandlung. Basel: Karger, 66-78.
Hornstein, W. v./Gruber, H./Kim, D. (1998): Interdisciplinary pain therapy: A case example from art therapy. 2nd Congress of the German Society for Palliative Medicine: FU Berlin.
Book publications
Kortum, R./Wohler, D./Gruber, H. (Hrsg./2018): Time and the Experience of Time in the Creative Arts Therapies. An interdisciplinary dialogue. Berlin: EB-Verlag.
Völker, S./Gruber, H. (Hrsg./2017): Human Being and Image. Art Therapy and Existential Experience. Berlin: EB-Verlag.
Gruber, H./Reichelt, S. (2016): Art therapy in palliative medicine. Berlin: EB-Verlag.
Rolff, H./Gruber, H. (2015): Anthroposophic art therapy. Foundations and aspects. Berlin: EB-Verlag.
Gruber, H./Rolff, H. (2014): Art therapy and intercultural understanding. Berlin: EB-Verlag.
Petersen, P./Gruber, H./Tüpker, R. (2011): Research methods in creative arts therapies. Wiesbaden: Reichert.
Gruber, H./Wichelhaus, B. (2011): Art therapy with children and adolescents. Current perspectives from clinical and social fields of application. Berlin: EB-Verlag.
Gruber, H. (2010): Art therapy for people with dementia. Dimensions of forgetting and remembering. Berlin: EB Verlag.
Henn, W./Gruber H. (2004): Art therapy in oncology. Foundations Research projects Practice reports. Köln: Richter.
Review
Ganß, M./Sinapius, P/Smit, P. de (Hrsg.) (2008): Ich sehe Dich so gerne sprechen. Sprache im Bezugsfeld von Praxis und Dokumentation künstlerischer Therapien (Wissenschaftliche Grundlagen der Kunsttherapie, Bd. 2). Musik-, Tanz- und Kunsttherapie, 19(2), 98-100.
