Michael Franklin, PhD

Core Professor
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling Concentration
(303) 546-3545
EDUCATION:
PhD in Expressive Therapies, Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2010 (Dissertation title: "Aesthetic Mind - Meditative Mind: Reflections on Art as Yoga and Contemplative Practice"); MA, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., l98l. Discipline area: Art Therapy; BA, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, l978. Major: Studio Art, emphasis areas - photography, lithography, ceramic sculpture. Major: Art Education. Minor: Psychology.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling Concentration
COURSES TAUGHT:
CNSA 569 - Art Therapy Perspectives / CNSA 604 - Foundations of Art Therapy / CNSA 624 - Art Therapy Studio: Process and Materials / CNSA 634 - History & Theory of Art Therapy / CNSA 665 - Civic Engagement Studio Practicum / CNSA 790 - Counseling Practicum / CNSA 801 - Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice I / CNSA 824 - Internship Studio Methods I / CNSA 844 - Internship Studio Methods II /

Please do not send Dr. Franklin admissions inquiries, instead address them to admissions@naropa.edu.

Michael A. Franklin, PhD, ATR-BC, is professor and past chair of the graduate Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling program at Naropa University. Prior to this appointment, he practiced as a clinician and chaired the art therapy programs at the College of St. Teresa and Bowling Green State University. Michael continues to work as a clinician in private practice and as an international lecturer, workshop leader and researcher publishing over 30 papers on numerous subjects. His current work integrates the relationships between art therapy, art-based empathic/compassionate methods, social engagement, yoga philosophy, meditation and studio art. He is the author of: Art as Contemplative Practice: Expressive Pathways to the Self with SUNY Press. (see ArtisYoga.com)

PUBLICATIONS:

Book:

  • Franklin, M. A. (2017). Art as contemplative-practice: Expressive pathways to the Self. Albany New York: SUNY Press.

Refereed Journal Articles and Invitational Book Chapters:

  • Franklin, M. A. (2020). Expanding artistic literacy in art therapy education: Self-reflection tools for assessing artwork and art-based research. Art Therapy: The journal of the American Art Therapy Association. DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2020.1721993
  • Franklin, M. A. (2019). Dining with the imaginal slowing technologies of Lectio Divina and Visio Divina. In Dalton, J. E., Hall, M. P., & Hoyse, C. E. (Eds.), The whole person: Embodying teaching and learning through Lectio and Visio Divina (pp. vii-ix). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
  • Franklin, M. A. (2019). Widening the lens of ethical practice in art therapy: / Visual free speech and the inclusive studio environment. In A. Di Maria (Ed.), Exploring ethical dilemmas in art therapy: 50 clinicians from 20 countries share their stories (pp. 292-298). New York and London: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
  • Franklin, M. A. (2018). Understanding lineage, difference, and the contemplative / dimensions of Edith Kramer’s art as therapy model. In Gerity, L. A. & Anand, S. (Eds.), The Legacy of Edith Kramer: A Multifaceted View (pp. 205-213). New York and London: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
  • Franklin, M. A. (2016). Interpretive strategies for looking at artwork [Unpublished / manuscript]. Transpersonal Contemplative Art–Based Counseling Program, Graduate School of Counseling Psychology, Naropa University.
  • Franklin M. A. (2016). Imaginal mindfulness-imaginal intelligence: Musings on the languages of shadow and light in art, meditation, and clinical practice. In F. J. Kaklauskas, C. J. Clements, D. Hocoy, & L. Hoffman (Eds.), Shadows & Light: Theory, research, and practice in transpersonal psychology (Vol. 1: / Principles & Practices; pp. 101-121). Colorado Springs, CO: University / Professors Press.
  • Franklin, M. A. (2016). Hanging chads, buoys, and clay: Finding what was / never lost. In Thayer-Cox, C & Harrison, W. A (Eds.), Saying goodbye to our mothers for the last time (pp. 11-17). Bracey, VA: Lisa Hagan Books.
  • Franklin, M. A. (2016). Contemplative approaches to art therapy: Incorporating Hindu-Yoga-Tantra and Buddhist wisdom traditions in clinical and studio practice. In Rubin, J. A. (ed). Approaches to Art Therapy (pp. 308-329). New York and London: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.
  • Franklin, M. A. & Grossenbacher, P. G. (2016). Empathy examined from / perspectives of neuroscience and artistic imagination. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 58:3, 251-255, DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2015.1102702
  • Franklin, M. A. (2016). Essence and art: A contemplative – transpersonal view of art therapy. In Gussak, D. E. and Rosal, M. L. (eds.). The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Art Therapy (pp. 99-111). Chichester, West Sussex UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
  • Franklin, M. A. (2014) Mindful considerations for training art / therapists: Inner friendship – outer professionalism. In Rappaport, L. (ed.), Mindfulness and the arts therapies: Theory and practice (pp. 264-275). London: Jessica Kingsley.
  • Blandy, D., Franklin, M. A. (2012). Following the Siren’s Song: Scott Harrison and the Carousel of Happiness. Wexler, A. (Ed.), Reframing art education beyond the classroom. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Franklin, M. (2012). Karuna – ahimsa – and relational aesthetics: Empathic art interventions for contemplative approaches to psychotherapy. In de Silva, P. (Ed.), Buddhist Psychotherapy, 145-154. Ayuthaya, Thailand: Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
  • Franklin, M. A. (2012). Know thyself: Awakening self-referential awareness through art-based research. Journal of Applied Arts and Health: Special Issue on Art-Based Research: Opportunities & Challenges. 3(1), 87- / 96. / Republished in: McNiff, S. (ed.) (20013). Art as research: Opportunities and challenges. Chicago: Intellect, The University of Chicago Press.
  • Franklin, M (2010). Affect regulation, mirror neurons and the 3rd hand: Formulating mindful empathic art interventions. Art Therapy: The journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 27(4), 160-167. doi: 10.1080/07421656.2010.10129385 / / Franklin, M. (2010). Global Recovery and the Culturally/Socially Engaged Artist / In Peoples, D. (Ed.), Buddhism and Ethics, 309-320. Ayuthaya, Thailand: Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
  • Franklin, M.; Siemon, T. (2008). Towards an understanding of the fundamental healing and therapeutic qualities of art. Journal of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. 6 (3), 269-273.
  • Franklin, M. (2008). Art as contemplative-practice: Ethics and social action. In Peoples, D. (Ed.), Buddhism and Ethics, 376-382. Ayuthaya, Thailand: Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
  • Franklin, M. (2007). Contemplations of a middle man: Anima rising. Art Therapy: The Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. 24 (1), 4-9. Marcow-Speiser, V. & Franklin, M. (2007). Authentic movement as a / meditative practice. Journal of Pedagogy, Pluralism, and Practice. 3 (4), 69-75.
  • Franklin, M.; Rothaus, M.; Schpock, K. (2005). Unity in diversity: Communal / pluralism in the art studio and the classroom. In Kaplan, F. (Ed.), Art therapy and social action: Treating the world’s wounds. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Invited poet: Moon, B. & Schoenholtz, R. (2004). Word pictures: The poetry and art of art therapy. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
  • Franklin, M. (2001). The yoga of art and the creative process: Listening to the divine. In M. Farrelly-Hanson (Ed.), Spirituality and art therapy: Living the connection (pp. 97-114). London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
  • Franklin, M.; Farrelly-Hanson, M.; Marek, B.; Swan-Foster, N.; Wallingford, S. (2000). Transpersonal art therapy education. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 17(2), 101-110.
  • Franklin, M. (1999). Art practice/ psychotherapy practice/meditation practice: / Sitting on the dove’s tail. Guidance and Counseling. 15(3), 18-22.
  • Franklin, M. (1999) Becoming a student of oneself: Activating the witness in / meditation and super-vision. American Journal of Art Therapy, 38(1), 2-13.
  • Franklin, M. (1996) A place to stand: Maori culture-tradition in a contemporary / art studio. Art Therapy: The Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 13(2), 126-30.
  • Franklin, M. (1993). AIDS iconography and cultural transformation: Visual and artistic responses to the AIDS crisis. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 20(4), 299-316.
  • Franklin, M. (1993). The image as cultural messenger: Iconography of the AIDS crisis. In F. J. Bejjani (Ed.), Forum on arts and medicine. New York: Med Art Press.
  • Franklin, M., & Politsky, R. (1992). The problem of interpretation: Implications and strategies for the field of art therapy. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 9(3), 163-175.
  • Franklin, M. (1991). Art therapy and self esteem. Art Therapy: The Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 9(2), 78-84.
  • Franklin, M. (1990). Aesthetics and empathy: A point of convergence. American Journal of Art Therapy, 29(2), 42-47.
  • Franklin, M. (1981). Terminating art therapy with emotionally disturbed children. American Journal of Art Therapy, 20(2), 55-57.

Search Naropa University

Search

YOU ARE READY.

This is where experiential learning meets academic rigor. Where you challenge your intellect and uncover your potential. Where you discover the work you’re moved to do—then use it to transform our world.

“*” indicates required fields

Naropa Logo

Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.