Following from the broad introduction to my fields of research and modes of enquiry in chapter 1, chapter 2 is the first part of an expanded and more specific account of the theories that inform this book. In this chapter, I introduce some of the poststructural theorists, particularly male French philosophers from the second half of the 20th century, whose work is to be put into play in relation to my exploration of art therapy and narrative therapy. I do this in a playful and writerly way through an extended metaphor of browsing through the men's clothing section of a large department store, trying on various garments/ theories to see if they fit. While I engage a range of poststructural ideas and theorists in this book, I do not take all up in an equal fashion. My bias is reflected in this chapter, which concludes with an extended consideration of Foucault's philosophy and an exploration of how his late work on ethical subjectivities, ethical substances and arts of self can inform my enquiry into the subjects and practices of art therapy and narrative therapy.
